Help Bring Sasquatch to The Ruins

Did you know that outside of the Northwest coast states, Pennsylvania ranks a close runner-up in the number of sasquatch sightings? 

The Youghiogheny River bottom is a very squatchy region. Dating back several hundred years, native tribes who hunted and fished this area of the river shared stories of competing with hostile sasquatch groups.

To read more about the sightings in The Whitsett area read Rachel Sager's latest blog 


In the spirit of this strong Bigfoot energy, Sager Mosaics has made the exciting decision to hire an award-winning and internationally known mosaic artist to build Sasquatch to scale on a predetermined wall at The Ruins.  

Yulia Hanansen, a second generation artist, was born in Russia and grew up in the foot hills of The Pamir Mountains. She remembers fondly hunting for The Yeti as a child. We are honored that her award-winning work will become a part of The 2020 Ruins Project. 
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Read more about the history and future of The Sasquatch here in Fayette County Pennsylvania and how to become a sponsor for this extremely unique project at gofundme.com/f/sasquatch-at-the-ruins

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Keep it SQUATCHY 

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DONATE TO THE RUINS PROJECT

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BOOK TOUR OF THE RUINS PROJECT

Andrew's 134th, the Borough's 125th, Carnegie's Maid -- all at the Carnegie Carnegie!

Monday, November 25, 7:00 pm
 Come to the Carnegie in Carnegie as they celebrate Andrew Carnegie's 134th Birthday!  Best-selling author Marie Benedict will be there to talk about her historic novel, Carnegie's Maid.  The novel spins the compelling tale of the industrialist's transformation into the world's first and perhaps most renowned philanthropist.

A dessert reception with Ms. Benedict follows the performance.  Penguin Bookstore will be on hand with a number of her novels.  

Tickets are $10, $5 for youth 12 and under. This program is made possible through the generosity of PNC Bank.

And don't miss the final Listen Locally Downstairs performance of the year!
Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00 pm\

Ronni Weiss is  “the little lady with the big voice."  Her unique sound, rich and deep, draws attention in a big way wherever she performs.
Joining Ronni on vocals/keyboard are Tom Boyce, guitar; Keith Reed, bass; and Jeff Kruzic, drums. This quartet will be playing a mix of jazz and blues with some pop tunes sprinkled in.

Complimentary snacks and drinks by donation.
Doors open at 6:30 pm || Concert begins at 7:00 pm
Tickets: $10

Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall
300 Beechwood Avenue
Carnegie PA 15106
www.CarnegieCarnegie.org

412-276-3456

"The Woman in Black" Leaves You, as It Should, in the Dark

One of the stars in PICT Classic Theatre's production of "The Woman in Black" is lighting designer, Keith A. Traux. He's called upon to provide all the shadowy menace usually associated with a ghost story. This he does quite superbly with splashes of light when needed in alternate scenes that take place outside the gloomy manor house set apart in the marshes of a small coastal village in England.

Things start off pleasantly and matter-of-factly for Arthur Kipps, a solicitor asked to take a train to the isolated village to attend the funeral on behalf his law firm and go through the papers and documents of a recently deceased matron who lived alone in the manse for years.

For a man who doesn't believe in ghosts Kipps struggles with the strange, irrational encounters he observes, first while attending the funeral service, then later when he's asked to spend some time in the dead woman's house, separated from the mainland by a causeway that tides over twice a day, making  access and egress impossible. What happens there shocks the man's psyche so intensely, he's unable to get the echoes of the experiences out of his mind.

Years later, while still haunted by his preternatural encounters, he devises a method by which he hopes to exorcise his demons. He enlists the help of an experienced actor who will assist him in performing a play he's written that captures the horrors he's seen and felt. His intended audience is a gathering of friend and relatives who will be informed of his back story theatrically. Director Alan Stanford calls on Martin Giles and James Fitzgerald, two of Pittsburgh's most highly respected and experienced actors, to fill the roles of the solicitor and the Thespian. 

James Fitzgerald and Martin Giles in "The Woman in Black" Credit: Keith A Truax

The two men work very well together, with Fitzgerald providing the show's anchor as The Actor, which gives Giles free rein to riff like a jazz musician playing the stable of characters written into the play-within-the-play. At the outset, Fitzgerald starts off as a rather haughty and critical actor disparaging Kipps' text and skill at playwrighting. This supercilious attitude us soon eroded as the tale unfolds and he becomes more and more engulfed in the eerie and mysterious turns of events.

The original story was a Gothic horror novel penned by Susan Hill in 1983. Daniel Ratcliffe stared in a 2012 film adaptation of the same title, and, in 1987, English actor Stephen Mallatratt adapted it for the stage with his play-within - play device. The show has gone on to be the second longest-running play in the history of the West End, after Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.

In PICT's production, Giles and Fiztgerald soften their English accents as they narrate the tale written in the reserved, decorous style sometimes associated with the British and novels of authors like Poe and Emily Bronte. As they prowl the copious stage from center to side, most of the dialogue is comprehensible to the American ear and audible, save for one moment or two near the end of the second act where I could not make out what Fitzgerald was saying.

Domenico Lagamba's spare but effective set included a mysterious fuchsia door built into a mauve wall that allows the mind to roam and envision all sorts of nebulous images. Sound designer Nick Depinto gives the various ambient settings an aural shot in the arm (make that ear), with his realistic sound effects of trains rolling along their tracks, crows cawing in the manor graveyard and more.

James Fitzgerald and Martin Giles in "The Woman in Black" Credit: Keith A Truax

Those with a taste for a surprise ending are in for a treat here. It may not be what you're expecting and, while it does provide closure, it also opens new doors to future possibilities as well.

“The Woman in Black” a production of PICT Classic Theatre, is at the Fred Rogers Studio at WQED, 4802 Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh, through Saturday November 23 For tickets and information, go to www.picttheatre.org.

MEET THE CAST OF A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL!

This year’s production of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL welcomes the Tony Award-nominated Broadway veteran and Pittsburgh CLO alum Mark Jacoby as Ebenezer Scrooge. Mark has been seen on Broadway in shows like Elf, Sweeney Todd, Ragtime and The Phantom of the Opera. Joining Mark is newcomer Emmet Kent as Tiny Tim, and your Pittsburgh favorites Tim Hartman as Mr. Fezziwig and Jeffrey Howell as Bob Cratchit!

 Click below to see a complete listing of the cast and creative team!

OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION!
We've taken the spirit of the season, wrapped it in your favorite yuletide melodies and tied it with all the holiday magic and wonder of your childhood. Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colorful characters for a remarkable CLO holiday production of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. With dazzling special effects, holiday charm and ticket prices even Scrooge would approve of, this Charles Dickens classic is a wonderful way to celebrate all the tradition of the season.

Click Here to See Video

With half-price tickets for kids and a variety of times to suit every schedule, this production is affordable and convenient for all! Buy online, call 412-456-6666, or visit the Theater Square Box Office.

Meet The Cast Here     Buy Tickets Here   

 COLORING CONTEST
Calling all coloring enthusiasts! Kids of all ages are invited to participate in our A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL Coloring Contest! Send us your masterpiece by December 2 for a chance to win a Family four-pack of tickets to the show! Click here to download the coloring sheet and for more information.

Download Coloring Sheet

FOOD DRIVE
Pittsburgh CLO has joined forces with North Hills Community Outreach for a food drive during all performances of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. You can help by dropping non-perishable food items in barrels stationed in the Byham Theater lobby. Click below to learn more about NHCO.
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Holiday Tours at the Frick Begin Nov. 21

Holidays at the Frick are just around the corner, and it's never too early to purchase your tickets online to experience the upcoming festivities! This holiday season at Clayton, visitors will experience the warmth and cheer of a traditional Gilded Age Christmas. Join us as we trace the evolution of the most popular Christmas pastimes, most of which developed over the course of the 19th century. 

This special tour is available daily November 21 through January 5. Tour admission is free for Frick members; $15 general admission, $13 seniors, students and military, $8 children 16 and under. The one-hour tour begins at the Grable Visitor Center. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Purchase tickets now!

Alternatively, if you'd prefer to explore all that Clayton has to offer at your own pace, consider booking a self-guided tour for Friday, November 29, and take your time walking through the first two floors of the Frick family home to see holiday decorations and hear stories of Christmas traditions. Regular admission rates apply. Register today!

 The Frick Museum Store

Stop into the Frick Museum Store during your next visit and let our festive selections inspire your holiday shopping! Browse one-of-a-kind seasonal gifts, or pick up something inspired by Katharine Hepburn on the silver screen. Located inside the Grable Visitor Center, the Frick Museum Store offers a curated selection of books, accessories, décor and more, sure to delight everyone on your list. Select merchandise is available online at Store.TheFrickPittsburgh.org. 

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.


 The Café at the Frick

Celebrate the holiday season at The Café at the Frick, offering lunch Tuesday through Sunday, weekend Tea service, and dinner on Friday evenings when the entire Frick site is open until 9:00 p.m! Make your holiday dining reservations today by calling 412-371-0600. Advance lunch and tea reservations are available for members only. Dinner and same-day reservations are available to both members and non-members. 

View menus 



 Frick Stories
Art on the Road: The Frick's Monet Visits Denver and Other Current Loans from the Collection

by Sarah Hall, Chief Curator, Director of Collections

 Claude Monet (French, Paris, 1840 - Giverney, 1926). Bords de la Seine à Lavacourt (Banks of the Seine at Lavacourt) 1879. Oil on canvas. Purchased March 2, 1901 by Henry Clay Frick.

This week on Frick Stories, Sarah Hall, Chief Curator, Director of Collections walks readers through the various Frick artworks currently on loan to museums both near and far, including the Frick's Monet, Bords de la Seine à Lavacourt (Banks of the Seine at Lavacourt), which is currently appearing in an exhibition on Monet at the Denver Art Museum. Read along for a behind-the-scenes look at how the Frick curatorial staff prepared the piece for its journey across the country! 

Read more!

arnegie Stage Presents "Meet me at the Carols"

..It's Christmastime in 1944. War is raging and, here at home, a group of neighbors gathers at the VFW to make the most of what they have.   

This new original musical comedy, first produced at Carnegie Stage in 2017, is back by popular demand and tells the story of an oddball friendship between a trio of singing sisters, an out-of-work Catskills comic, a limping piano player, and their grumpy Scrooge-like landlady. The Carols is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud and hopeful musical that looks at making something right with all the wrong people.

This cast of six hit the ground running  with a customary script read-through and sing-through. Moira Quigley and Mandy Russak return to their parts as Rose and Lily Carol, with Lizzy Boyke rounding out the sister trio, playing the part of Silvia. 

Marc Moritz will play the part of the hilarious Catskill comedian Melvin Shaatz, with Beth Johnstone Bush playing Aunt Betty.  Douglas Levine takes on the part of Teddy, as well being the show’s Musical Director. 

Join us from November 29 thru December 14 as the Carol sisters remind us what the holiday season is really about: friends, family, togetherness…and calypso!

Tickets available at: carnegiestage.com

Carnegie Stage, 25 W Main St, Carnegie, PA 15106, USA 724-873-3576

‘Ho Ho Ho with the WSO’ scheduled for December 7 & 8

Although radios and stereos everywhere play holiday music in December, 
nothing beats hearing it performed live by a 65-piece ensemble.
Washington Symphony Orchestra’s holiday performance, “Ho Ho Ho with the 
WSO” is scheduled for Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:15 
p.m.) and Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m. (doors open at 2:15 p.m.). Both 
concerts are at Trinity High School in Washington, PA.

The concert is supported in part by a grant from the EQT Foundation. 
This is the fourth year that EQT has partnered with the WSO.

The Washington County All-Star Choir and Cal U Choir will be joining the 
WSO for the Hallelujah chorus, “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and “Angels’ 
Carol.”

At press time, high schools contributing singers to the All-Star Choir 
include: Burgettstown, Fort Cherry, McGuffey, and Trinity.

An electric guitar and bass will be added when the WSO takes on three 
Trans Siberian Orchestra pieces: “Wizard in Winter,” “Boughs of Holly” 
and “Christmas Canon” and dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet 
Conservatory will take the stage for “Babes in Toyland.”

“Bugler’s Holiday,” “Hanukkah Festival Overture,”  “Dance of the 
Tumblers” from The Snow Maiden, “The Skater Waltz” and “Fantasia on 
Greensleeves” will also be played as part of the program.

Kids in grades K through 6 will have the opportunity to enter the WSO’s 
ornament contest. All entries will be hung on a tree in the lobby and 
two winners will be selected, one by a panel of judges and the other by 
popular vote on the WSO Facebook page. Both winners will receive a 
prize. Official entry forms are available at www.washsym.org.

Santa will be making an appearance this year, as well as Maximilian the 
Elf.

Tickets start at just $17 and can be purchased online at washsym.org, by 
calling 1-888-71-TICKETS, or at the following locations: Citizens 
Library, the Peters Township Public Library, and the WSO Office on East 
Wheeling Street in Washington (WSO Office by appointment only, call 
724-223-9796 and leave a message for appointment). Tickets are also 
available at the door. For further information about the symphony, visit 
www.washsym.org or connect with the WSO on Facebook 
(facebook.com/washsymphony).