off the WALL productions at Carnegie Stage A Pittsburgh Theater

Erika Cuenca  and Daina Michelle Griffith - Photo by Heather Mull Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli and Lonnie the Theatre Lady ran into each other at the opening night performance of The Zero Hour.  They got together and ‘dished’ it out on ' BURGH VIVANT , Pittsburgh's Cultural Talk Magazine. They could not say enough about the theater, its mission, the actors, the set or the director. Here’s a what they had to say about each: The Theater: “Something special about that theater…not a bad seat in the house.”   Off The Wall Theater mission:   “Enlivening, educating & entertaining audiences in the Pittsburgh Region …dedicated to women: playwrights, directors, actors.” The actors:   “Beautiful women, their talent is just great!” The Play: “Thought-provoking!”  The play makes you talk afterwards about schoolbooks, the Holocaust, and what it must have been like during the time period. The Set:   “The set was great.”  Mike and Lonnie credite...

John Steffenauer & Erika Cuenca - Photo by Heather Mull What would a play about two lesbians in an almost-love relationship be without a good looking man?  In comes Doug.  Is Rebecca, who is not ready to come out of the closet, not even to please her lover O, really a lesbian? Is Doug the man who commands an answer?  Although Doug’s entrance occurs near the end of the play and only for a single scene, it is a scene you won’t soon forget. In a review by Dave Zuchowski  via his Owlscribe blog , Dave focuses in on Doug’s character, stating  “John Steffenauer as Doug, Rebecca’s bar encounter, is also a strong presence in a diminutive role…”  Dave also gives credit to the sound designer, Ryan McMasters, for doing a “great job incorporating Hitler speeches in the sound tract that evokes the mood of Nazi Germany along with snippets of beautiful singing from Mozart’s opera, "The Magic Flute," as well as some captivating music in the bar scene I’d like to ...

Robyne Parrish on her way to rehearsal What does any director hate more than an actor being late for rehearsal? Being late herself!!  It looks like Robyne Parrish, the Director of The Zero Hour, might be late for our final rehearsal. Can the production team and actors handle the final rehearsal themselves? Come find out. The Zero Hour starts playing this Friday, October 25th.   Tickets on sale now . About Robyne Parrish (Director):  This is Ms. Parrish's sixth directing assignment with Off The Wall, following The Mercy Seat, The House of Yes, Shaken & Stirred, Stop Kiss, and Looking for the Pony. She is currently Artistic Director of the Gilbert Theatre in NC where she directed The Fantasticks, Naked, and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.  Parrish mounted Quilters at Children’s Theatre Charlotte in 2012 and spent years in SC, NC and NYC directing at venues like NCSA, Act One Theatre, The Sande Shurin Theatre, Sonnet Repertory Theatre (...

Erika Cuenca & John Steffenauer - Photo by Heather Mull Honesty…  Self-Identity…  Authentic-Self… These themes weave their way throughout this dramatic comedy. The Zero Hour explores the intimate relationship between two women almost in love.  What happens when one woman is not honest?  What happens when honesty is told?  Can their relationship survive the truth?   Rebecca, brilliantly played by Erika Cuenca , represents the serious side of the relationship. Rebecca writes for an academic publishing company and is writing a textbook for seventh graders about the Holocaust.  But her self-examination and inner struggles are causing unintended consequences.  As the challenges with honesty in her relationship deepen, she also begins to question what is appropriate for the textbook.  Every way she turns, she begins to wonder: What is the truth?  What is authentic?  If you've ever asked yourself these questions, you’ll appr...

Daina Michelle Griffith & Erika Cuenca - Photo by Heather Mull "A lucid drama. Appealingly brainy and messy, George's play never settles for an easy metaphor or emotion. It cross-examines our pat notions of history and love."  — The New Yorker This is a play you don’t want to miss!  Share the intimacies of two women in love, one in the closet and one not.  What happens to the mind when the honest truth might hurt those you love most?   The Zero Hour opens in Pittsburgh this Friday, October 25th.  Runs through November 9th.   Learn more/purchase tickets .

Kim Crawford - General Manager Kim loves Off the Wall Theater because the plays challenge the audience’s perspective on life.  If you’re looking for Pollyanna, this might not be the theater for you.  But if you want to explore life, embrace its challenges, and gain new perspectives, then you won’t be disappointed.  Each play focuses on a different life obstacle, ranging from a family member with Alzheimer’s to a woman making it in a man’s world to the challenges within a Lesbian relationship. In the upcoming production, The Zero Hour , which runs from October 25th to November 9th, the playwright explores the impact to a lesbian relationship when one partner wants to continue to hide the relationship. As General Manager, Kim will be using her expertise to coordinate her team to ensure all the nuances of lighting, sound and stage presence are seamlessly controlled before and during the production so you can immerse yourself in the surroundings and forget about your da...

Daina Michelle Griffith & Erika Cuenca - Photo by Heather Mull Lucid!  Comedic!  Unsettling!  Riveting! Provocative!   The Zero Hour , written by Madeleine George and directed by Robyne Parrish, will fascinate you to the end.  Rebecca, a writer, and her chronically unemployed girlfriend O, struggle to overcome the building tension in their lesbian relationship.  Rebecca wants to remain closeted while O is Out .  You won’t be able to help but to become emotionally involved with the characters as these two actors seamlessly transition from one role to another, right before your very eyes. A thoughtful play that is perfect for an intimate Pittsburgh theater experience.   Tickets on sale now . About Erika Cuenca (Rebecca): Erika is so very happy to be back at Off The Wall, working with such an awesome group of people.  Locally, she has also worked with The Pittsburgh Playhouse Repertory Co., City Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh...