Pittsburg, PA
Curtain Calls: Pittsburg Community Theatre unites behind powerful musical ‘The Color Purple’
Based upon Alice Walker’s novel, this epic tale with book by Marsha Norman follows Celie, a young woman who despite unbelievable hardship embarks on an intense personal journey over the course of 40 years.
Thanks to composers Brenda Russel, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, the musical enjoys a dynamic score of jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African music.
Tanika Baptiste directs the musical with Jon Gallo as music director and Carla BaNu Dejesus creating the choreography.
For a complete cast listing, go to pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org/color-purple.
“The Color Purple” runs Jan. 30 through Feb. 8 at the California Theatre on 351 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg, then Feb. 13-22 at the Campbell Theater on 636 Ward St. in Martinez. To purchase tickets, go to tickets831.com (California Theatre) or campbelltheater.com (Campbell Theater).
Berkeley: An improbable love story, not to mention music that pulls you in and won’t let you, go highlights February at Berkeley Playhouse.
Whether you’ve seen the movie (which won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original song) or the Tony Award-winning musical, you know how mesmerizing and just plain fun “Once” can be. As the musical captivates your heart, you are reminded how powerful music can be and how complicated relationships often are.
Set in Dublin, an Irish busker and a Czech immigrant, who is an accomplished pianist, meet and find a connection through their love of music. Over the course of one week, both sparks and chords fly.
As their friendship evolves into a complicated love story, their chemistry leads them to a new level of songwriting. The gorgeous melodies played throughout add another level to their relationship and a love that only happens once.
“I’ve always loved ‘Once’ because it digs into something I think about a lot: what music really is and how it connects us as human beings,” said Director Josh Marx. “I loved the movie ‘Once’ when I first saw it — and then the Broadway production pulled me in even deeper, especially the way it evoked a sense of community; similar to drinking a pint of Guinness in an Irish pub while patrons play music together. For Berkeley Playhouse’s production, we’re looking to put something truly special together; each actor plays their own instrument (sometimes more than one!), and we want to create an unforgettable experience that capitalizes on the amazing talent that we’re bringing into the room.”
Jake Gale (Guy) and Gillian Eichenberger (Girl) play the lovestruck couple calling upon their instrumental skills as well as acting talents. Other cast members include Michael Barrett Austin (Billy) and Dyan McBride (Baruska).
“Once” runs Feb. 20 through March 8 at the historic Julia Morgan Theater on 2640 College Ave. in Berkeley. For tickets, call 510-845-8542×351 or go to tickets.berkeleyplayhouse.org.
Orinda: Vacant for the past year without the hustle and bustle of various performing arts events, the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater in Orinda finally has a new tenant. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) announced a 15-year lease of the nine-acre property at 100 Gateway Blvd. to the nonprofit Siesta Valley Foundation (SVF)
SVF hopes to preserve the EBMUD watershed and revitalize its impressive amphitheater. According to the foundation’s website, they will program projects that “reduce fire risk, restore habitat and protect water quality” while also offering live music, theater, film and dance events. The agreement lists approximately 40-50 events, which in addition to the performing arts would include an EBMUD native plant and bird garden and Watershed Community Center for public education and environmental literacy.
“EBMUD looks forward to seeing this agreement preserve the watershed, revive a regional arts landmark and generate sustained community and financial value,” said EBMUD Board President Marguerite Young. “This unique site will once again be a vibrant East Bay destination.”
I, for one, hope Young is right. I’d love to be back in that beautiful valley enjoying a live performance.
The foundation’s operating partner Siesta Valley Bowl plans to run the facility as a mixed-use performing arts center with a tentative date of April for its first events. Ultimately, the group hopes to build an indoor facility that will allow programming year-round.
For more information, go to siestavalley.org.
Martinez: Onstage Theatre is auditioning for the outrageously fun “The Rocky Horror Show” Feb. 27 and 28 at The Campbell Theater on 636 Ward St.
Dianna Schepers directs with Shelly McDowell as choreographer and Adam Green as musical director. Rehearsals begin in late August with performances Oct. 30 through Nov. 22.
For more information, go to campbelltheater.com/auditions.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.
The Allegheny County Police Department announced charges against four people after a drug bust earlier this week in Braddock.
On Thursday, the county police’s violent crime and firearms unit, along with the SWAT team, served a search warrant at a home on Corey Avenue.
When they entered, they found two adult men, an adult woman, and one boy inside. They were all taken into custody.
Following a search of the home, detectives found a loaded handgun, five bricks of suspected fentanyl, multiple handgun magazines, and firearm accessories.
All four of the people in the home are now facing charges in connection with the investigation.
Among them is 24-year-old Jawan Coachman, who is being charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and tampering with evidence. Both 18-year-old Nathaniel Scott and 19-year-old Nakhiya Enoch are facing multiple drug charges and an additional charge related to firearms violations.
Meanwhile, the juvenile had charges filed in juvenile court, and his identity has not been released.
No team in the league has more picks in the 2026 NFL Draft than the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defending AFC North Champions are scheduled to make 12 picks in this year’s draft.
Pittsburgh has a selection in all seven rounds of the draft, which kicks off on Thursday, April 23rd, and concludes on Saturday, April 25th.
- Round 1: Pick 21
- Round 2: Pick 53
- Round 3: Pick 76
- Round 3: Pick 85
- Round 3: Pick 99
- Round 4: Pick 121
- Round 4: Pick 135
- Round 5: Pick 161
- Round 6: Pick 216
- Round 7: Pick 224
- Round 7: Pick 230
- Round 7: Pick 237
New Head Coach Mike McCarthy inherited a roster with more than a fair share of holes to fill. Perhaps none more so than wide receiver.
Trading for highly productive former Indianapolis Colts draft pick Michael Pittman Jr. to play alongside D.K. Metcalf certainly helped, but third-year receiver Roman Wilson is currently slotted as the team’s wide receiver No. 3 with only 164 career yards. The Steelers can go anywhere with their first-round selection, and if one of the big three receivers falls (Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, or Makai Lemon), don’t count the Steelers out.
The second most pressing need is safety, and the Steelers are in luck. There are at least three safeties with a consensus first-round grade in this year’s class. At 21, Pittsburgh is in a prime position to pick up a day-one starter if they go this route.
With 12 picks, McCarthy will hope to secure at least six starters/role players, and with three picks in the third round, they’ve got the draft capital to do just that.
More NFL: Colin Cowherd Explains Why Steelers Are ‘Slow, Outdated, Predictable’
The Best Seat in the House Might Be at the Omni San Diego Hotel
Brewers fall to Royals, split doubleheader in Kansas City
1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
Minneapolis kids ‘are not alright’ says frustrated mom over city’s recent events
Brandon McGinley forgets the costs of Pittsburgh’s growth
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
FBI’s Patel delivers blunt warning to law enforcement attackers: ‘We’re going to put you down’
Indonesia receives bodies of peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon
Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show they don’t consider race in admissions
Trump says ‘America needs God’ in Good Friday message touting ‘resurgence of religion’
Fact check: How can a country actually withdraw from NATO?
-
South-Carolina7 days agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Transgender Athletes Barred From Women’s Olympic Events
-
Miami, FL1 week agoJannik Sinner’s Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Stuns in Ab-Revealing Post Amid Miami Open
-
Minneapolis, MN1 week agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Vermont7 days agoSkier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort
-
Politics7 days agoTrump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized
-
Atlanta, GA7 days agoFetishist ‘No Kings’ protester in mask drags ‘Trump’ and ‘JD Vance’ behind her wheelchair
-
Entertainment3 days agoInside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium