off the WALL productions at Carnegie Stage A Pittsburgh Theater

off the WALL productions closes their 2017-18 season with the regional #theater premiere of Byhalia, Mississippi.  Previously staged by Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Evan Linder’s #funny and moving salute to both down-home #decency and a troubled couple living in a see-through shack is a bittersweet story about love, class, race, family, and forgiveness. Brandon Meeks, -Erika Cuenca - Virginia Wall Gruenert All Photos by Heather Mull  - Jim and Laurel Parker are about to become new parents. They are broke. They are loud. They are "proud white trash." When Laurel gives birth to their long overdue child, she and Jim are faced with the biggest challenge of their lives.  Byhalia, Mississippi explores a couple in the midst of turmoil and a town with a racially-charged past that finds its way into the present.  Written by Evan Linder  Directed by Ingrid Sonnichsen  With: Erika Cuenca, Brandon Meeks,  Lamar K. Cheston, Hope Anth...

April 20-21, 26-28 @ 8:00 pm,  April 22 & 29 @ 3:00 pm May 3-5 @ 8:00 pm A Pittsburgh Premiere by Evan Linder Directed by Ingrid Sonnichsen With: Erika Cuenca*, Brandon Meeks*, Lamar K Cheston* Hope Anthony and Virginia Wall Gruenert* How, when, and why do you choose to forgive someone? Jim (Brandon Meeks) and Laurel Parker (Erika Cuenca) are about to become new parents.  They are broke.  They are loud.  They are “proud white trash.” When Laurel gives birth to their long overdue child, she and Jim are faced with the biggest challenge of their lives. Byhalia, Mississippi explores a couple in the midst of turmoil and a town with a racially-charged past that finds its way into the present. “ …an honest-to-goodness play. By that I mean a really good new American drama: something wise, truthful, funny and moving; a piece that other theaters should do; a script that hangs easily with shows by the leading writers of our day and a show that might brin...

By Robyne Parrish - Director I was immediately attracted to The Carols, written by Jennifer Childs and composed by Monica Stephenson. A modern-day Christmas Carol of sorts with a spin, chock full of music that will delight. This musical truly has something for everyone. At the heart of the story we honor family bonds, love, loss, and perhaps most importantly, our military. The men and women who so courageously have given of their time and talents and often their lives throughout history are honored here. The story takes place in a New Jersey VFW in 1944. War is raging on foreign battlefields and the women are left behind. While the community waits for loved ones to return, the annual performance of A Christmas Carol must go on, despite the lack of  men to fill important roles. L-R Kate Toole, Mandie Russak, Moira Quigley Enter our trio of sisters - Moira Quigley as Lilly, Mandie Russack as Rose, and Kate Toole as Sylvia. Next meet their Scrooge-like landlady and friend Miss...

By Monica Stephenson - Composer Last night was the first music rehearsal for Carnegie Stage’s Pittsburgh Premiere of The Carols , a musical that I composed with lyrics and script by Jennifer Childs.  On my way to rehearsal I spotted the first of many holiday street lights sparkling along Carnegie’s Main Street. I had two thoughts.  First, I imagined the city hanging these lights the day after Halloween. Holiday decor seems to go out earlier and earlier every year!  Second, audiences will soon pass these lights on their way to Carnegie Stage to see The Carols . The notion of it filled me with hopefulness, immense pride and excitement to meet the talented, new cast.  Monica Stephenson and Jen Childs, interviewed by  WHYY's Peter Crimmins In March of 2016, Jennifer Childs, 1812 Productions’ Artistic Director, asked me if I might be interested in writing a few harmony numbers for a new play she was developing to be produced that December.  The play ...

Oct. 12, 13 & 14 & 8:00 pm Matinee Oct. 15 3:00 pm Written by and Starring: Anne Stockton Directed by: Austin Pendleton We are welcoming the long-awaited return of writer/actor Anne Stockton and director Austin Pendleton (The Speed Queen), in collaboration once again, to present our season opener. Nikki is being interviewed by a detective in the high level financial firm where she works about the disappearance of two very valuable rings earlier that morning. A witty look at the ways in which we are swept away by the scenarios we imagine for our lives.

Guest Blogger: Liz Beck - Senior RMU This is why we can’t have nice things!             It’s a phrase I’ve used many times. Usually, I say it when I’ve embarrassed myself. Other times, I’ve said it in a fit of desperation, after I’ve just seen someone of my own generation doing or saying something incredibly stupid on the Internet. We can’t have nice things because this guy is an asshole. We can’t have nice things because, once again, the Millenials have taken man buns to an unprecedented extreme. We can’t have nice things because one guy thought it was okay to run for president and, well, here we are.             Like I said, I’m a big fan of this phrase. So when I heard that this was the title of the latest venture at Off the Wall Theatre singularly starring Heidi Nagle, I was both extremely curious and excited. Finally, someone was going to dive into the same phenomeno...

Have you ever noticed the variety of designs on kimonos? They’re often very bold and embellished and each kimono seems unique. It’s as if each kimono tells a story. In fact, that’s exactly what they do. A kimono can have many designs, and each design can be significant to the person’s life. Even the color is part of the story. Some kimonos are very complex, reflecting the person’s status, wealth and their tastes. The symbolism on kimonos is as varied as the wearers, and may even allude to virtues or specific emotions that individual associates with. Like a kimono that one wears, the upcoming fireWALL Dance production Kimono also tells a story. But not all kimonos are bright and bold. It depends on the story being told. Mark C. Thompson's new production new work, Kimono , is a dark and disturbing movement in parable form. It tells the story of a man who has been victimized. But it also tells the story of transformation. In Kimono , the traumatized man (an artist), begins to rec...

There’s a stampede in process and it’s not the running of the bulls.  It’s a stampede to get to Carnegie Stage .   People are making reasons to go out of their way to see The Harvey Wallbangers IV: We're Inside You Now.   We don’t know your reason yet, but I’m sure it’s a good one! Here are some of the reasons others are hurrying in. Some are gathering friends, even their Facebook ‘friends’ to celebrate their birthday. We think they may be secretly hoping for a moment to shine on stage. Others, after dieting the first few days of the New Year, are eagerly awaiting Sunday’s brunch*.   Some, looking to stick with their New Year’s Resolution, are looking forward to laughing their *** off . Others are groping for a chance to discreetly make ‘accidental’ contact with their date under the cover of the darkened lighting.  Won’t they be surprised that not much goes unnoticed in our small, intimate theater! Still others, tired of an entire holiday...

Are you sick and tired of the same old same old? Then maybe you need to get a lifeline with the Harvey Wallbangers IV ! This sketch comedy group’s newest production promises to be an all new, high-energy, highly ridiculous dose of ‘funny’ where no subject is safe, and no topic is taboo. They say that ‘ laughter is the best medicine ’ for whatever is ailing you, so purchase your ticket s early, because these shows sell out fast. The Harvey Wallbangers IV: We're Inside You Now : This show is all new, with original sketches, a new digital short, and more outrageous characters and costumes than ever before. A few skits into the show, you should be recovering quickly from whatever ails you; however, here’s and extra dose of medicine for you. The sketch comedy troupe is being joined by two guest performers, Laura Barletta and Jim Platani to help you to an even speedier recovery. Don’t let the weather or the winter blues get your down, when the right prescription for what’s ailin...

Live theater.  To those of us who love it so, live theater is a comfortable visit with people we know, or who we are about to know. The ticket we exchange for entry is our invitation to a special time, a time of laughter, smiles, tears and sighs, the same emotions we share with family and friends. The experience of small live theater , in particular, holds a special allure. Instead of watching the story unfold from the front door, we are invited into the living room, invited to share the moment, rather than watch it only. Those who frequent Off the Wall Center for Performing Arts enjoy the intimacy unique to small theater. You are our guests, and we invite you in to be a part of the special stories we have to share. We're one of the few theaters in the Pittsburgh area where professional actors take the stage. lease consider our schedule for the upcoming 2015-16 theater season. We can't wait to spend some time with you. So consider this your invitation to come on in! H...

Do you remember the last good book you read… that really good book? Think about what happened when you closed the cover for the final time. How did you feel? Were you a bit sad, your time with those characters just came to an end. No longer would you delve into the depths of their soul. If you like to read, you may have read books that have left you with any of the following thoughts or feelings: UPLIFTED Feeling like you can take on the world, happy for the characters, feeling good about what’s going on in a certain area or even within the world. AWARE In awe that such a terrific or horrific action could take place, whether from an individual, team, workplace, or even from within an entire culture or country. EDUCATED Able to at least in part, understand what others may be experiencing and having a level of empathy, even if you yourself have never experienced that situation, (we’re talking about great books here, not how-to books) TORN You may ask yourself “did that really...

The Harvey WALLbangers are back and they’re back with their best material yet! Think they were funny before, they were just getting started.  So if you’re ready to laugh out loud, and I mean really laugh out loud, not just little lol’s, grab a few of your friends, a date or come alone.  Just be sure to get to off the WALL theater on June 11th, 12th, 13th or 14th. After that, the laugh’s on you! “Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.” ― Anthony Burgess DON’T BE A LONER! COME JOIN IN THE FUN. HERE’S WHAT AUDIENCE MEMBERS HAD TO SAY AFTER THE LAST HARVEY WALLBANGER SHOW. “I laughed so hard I cried!” “I almost wet myself.” “Did you hear me snorting? That was so funny!!” “Oh my gosh! I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.” “Did you hear that group of women laughing? I was laughing at how hard they were laughing!” “I laughed so much my belly hurts! I bet I’ll be sore tomorrow.” “Ow! I think I pulled my bac...

Laughing is serious business! Think I’m kidding? Did you know there are Expert Level Practitioners as a Certified Laughter Leaders? It’s a fact. Julie Ann Sullivan is one such laughter expert in the Pittsburgh area and she has worked with the likes of McDonald’s, Bayer USA, and Highmark Health Services to name just a few. Need more proof that laughter is serious business? Have you heard that Laughter is the best medicine? How about a little scientific research. “Feeling rundown? Try laughing more. Some researchers think laughter just might be the best medicine, helping you feel better and putting that spring back in your step.” R. Morgan Griffin / Web MD Feature ‘Give Your Body a Boost – With Laughter‘ So why do I share this information with you? Because The Harvey WALLbangers are back on stage!! And this time they are performing not one, not two, not three, but FOUR times. We heard you loud and clear… “We Want More! We Want More! We Want More!” So if you’re looking for the...

Summertime! We’ve waited all winter for it, and now it’s finally here. Before we know it, we’ll be donning our fall layers and preparing for holidays. So what will you do this summer? Relax, maybe take a vacation, kick back, go picnics, the usual… How about learning? Summertime is a great time to learn a new skill or to expand your existing skills in something you love, or have wanted to do for a long time. That’s why we’re offering summer school at our off the WALL Annex in downtown Carnegie, just 6 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. If you’ve always wanted to write a play or have had writer’s block and/or need a boost for taking your writing to the next level, this is your chance. We are offering both a beginning and advanced playwriting class this summer. But hurry! Classes begin Monday, June 1st!! BEGINNING PLAYWRITING YOU CAN WRITE A PLAY LEARN ALL ABOUT IT ADVANCED PLAYWRITING HONING YOUR PLAYWRITING SKILLS LEARN ALL ABOUT IT ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: In 2012 Writers...

Would you like to meet the Cabaret performers in person?   Then join us this Valentine’s weekend for our 7:00 PM show on the 14 th or our 8:00 PM show on the 15 th .   Click here to purchase your tickets today!  Enjoy a special Valentine's Dance! Members of our newest addition to the Off The Wall family, fireWALL dance theater, will perform a special dance in the spirit of Valentine's Day.  Elisa Alaio and Darren McArthur will show  the true, genuine love between a man and a woman, in their performance to ' Everything I Do ' by Bryan Adams.  Throughout our lives, we encounter several different relationships and types of love.  We hope that this dance helps you recognize and appreciate the love for those in your lives.   We expect that this Valentine's Dance will make you smile, but if not, one of the other performers below is sure to make you and yours smile, as you enjoy not only the dancing, but also the comedy, magic, poetry and mime!...