May 1, 2013 11 min read

The Heritage Players, Bethel Park, will hold auditions for “Nunsense” at 6:30 p.m. May 5 and 6 at Schoolhouse Arts Center, Bethel Park.

Actors ages 17-40 are needed for performances June 21-23 and 28-30 at The Seton Center, Brookline.

For details, visit www.heritageplayers.org or call 412-254-4633.

• Murder-mystery dinner show fundraiser “Till Death Do Us Part,” 7 p.m. May 18 and 2 p.m. May 19 at the Castle Shannon Municipal Building. Ticket price of $25 includes show and dinner catered by Mama Lucia’s. Gift basket donations for the raffle are welcome. Call 412-254-4633 or reserve online by May 11 at www.heritageplayers.org.

Renaissance & Baroque and The Pittsburgh Camerata will celebrate a season of music by holding a Wine and Chocolate Tasting with a Spanish flair from 4-6:30 p.m. May 5 at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Shadyside.

R&B and the Camerata have enlisted wine enthusiast/blogger Jack Brice and Mon Aimee Chocolat owner Amy Rosenfield to share their expertise and pair selected wines and chocolates for guests to sample. There will also be a silent auction and musical entertainment provided by members of the Camerata and R&B musicians.

For more information about the fundraiser and its 2013-2014 concert series, call 412-361-2048 or visit www.rbsp.org.

The Washington Symphony Orchestra presents WSO Country Jamboree 8 p.m. May 4 at Trinity High School and ends its 11th season on a foot-stomping note. Whether it’s the theme from “Bonanza,” “Shenandoah” or “Tennessee Waltz,” the WSO will bring the music to life.

Conductor Yugo Ikach is pleased to feature nationally recognized hammered dulcimer musician Adam Sutch from Washington County and currently a senior at California University. Sutch will perform several American folk songs including “Whiskey Before Breakfast” and “Blackberry Blossom.”

Tickets are available at Citizens Library and all branches of Washington Financial, by calling 724-223-9796 or online at www.washsym.org. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Friends of the Hollywood Theater are hosting a second birthday party for the historic Dormont theater 7:30 p.m. May 3. The evening will include live jazz by the Thoth Trio, classic film shorts and cartoons, and a debut of a video about the theater created by Duquesne University student Julian Routh. Just like at any good birthday party, there will be birthday cake, a candy buffet, drinks, pretzels by Vinnie’s Pretzel Shoppe and entertainment, including a Tarot Card reader. Raffles prizes include two club seat tickets for a 2013-14 Penguins game; tickets for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, David Byrne and Tracy Morgan; a family fun pack from Children’s Museum; signed movie posters; and more.

On May 4, the Hollywood Theater will hold a free community day from noon-3 p.m. with family-friendly cartoons, comedy shorts playing continuously and popcorn.

Tickets are $20-$30 and can be purchased in advance at showclix.com/event/HollywoodBirthdayGala or at the door.

Schoolhouse Arts Center, Bethel Park, will open its new gallery show, “Aqua Energy” watercolor show on May 4. From 6 to 9 p.m. a Cinco de Mayo celebbration will feature a Mexican celebration of tacos, rice and beans. The gallery and gift shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

For details, call 412-835-9898.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Steve Litman present The Price is Right Live! at the Benedum Center, 7:30 p.m. May 9. The hit interactive stage show gives contestants pulled right from the audience the chance to “Come On Down” to win appliances, vacations and new cars by playing classic games from television’s longest running and most popular game show. From Plinko to Cliffhangers to the Big Wheel, and even the fabulous Showcase, all the favorite games are played just like the TV show.

Tickets are $47.50-$100 and can be purchased by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting www.trustarts.org.

‘Without Ruth’

Off The Wall Productions will present “Without Ruth,” a world premiere play by Virginia Wall Gruenert, May 3-18 at Off The Wall Theater in Carnegie. While it’s true that mothers and daughters often have contentious relationships that will keep therapists in business for decades to come, there is no denying the deep bond that exists between them. Based on the life of Ruth Haston, a long-time resident of Pittsburgh’s Hill District and inspired by the diaries of her daughter, “Without Ruth” deals with the end-of-life decisions that must be made by dutiful daughters, as well as the discord, conciliation, warfare and ultimate acceptance between strong, independent women bound by love and family.

Performances are 8 p.m. May 3-4, 9-11, 16-18 and 3 p.m. May 5 and 12.

For tickets, call 1-877-71-TICKETS or visit www.showclix.com.

South Hills Village Mall will hold a Mom’s Nite Out May 9, featuring a night of pampering, fun, prizes and fashion.

This free event is a guilt-free excuse for moms to take the night off to relax and enjoy a celebration of motherhood.

At 5:30 p.m. the night kicks off with a riotous party – lots of samples and promotions from leading retailers and partners including a swag bag while supplies last.

At 6:30 p.m., three lucky winners will be chosen to compete in “Shopped!” (the mall’s version of “Chopped!”). The contestants will get the chance to go shopping in the mall with a $500 Simon gift card. While contestants are shopping, the party will continue with information on the latest trends, and prizes will be given out all night.

When the stylistas return from their one-hour shop, they’ll face the panel of judges. One grand-prize winner will receive a grand prize. Runners up will be showered with gift certificates for dinner and show tickets. All of the contestants get to keep their outfits.

Competitive marble shooting … it is alive and well, and local film makers, Justin A. Nixon and Jordan M. Serra, with a host of other collaborators, will premiere their documentary, “Mibsters: A Marble Story,” at 2 p.m. May 18 at the Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Strip District.

“Mibsters: A Marble Story” follows three Pittsburgh boys on their quest to become champions of the National Marble Tournament. Through encouragement and practice, struggle becomes triumph. The documentary premier is included as part of admission to the Heinz History Center. Seating is limited. Get a sneak peek at www.Mibsters.com.

Little Lake Theatre Company, North Strabane, is looking for the following:

• Visual artists – High school and college students who have exceptional abilities as visual artists are needed to serve as artists/designers for the Looking Glass Theatre series. Adult artists are needed to guide the students. Students will have this opportunity to build their resumes and portfolios by working on three plays in the summer schedule and one in the fall production of the Fall Family Matinee.

• Acting auditions – Adults, teens and children over 8 are welcome to audition for plays in the Looking Glass Theatre summer series. Auditions will be held 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. May 4 and 6 p.m.-9 p.m. May 6.

Visit www.littlelake.org for details or acting audition requirements.

Third Street Gallery, Carnegie, will present “Waterworks,” a Pittsburgh Watercolor Society membership show, May 4-25, with an opening reception 5-8 p.m. May 4. For more information, call 412-276-5233 or visit www.pittsburghwatercolorsociety.com.

Mother’s Day concert

Peters Yarrow of the ’60s folk group “Peter, Paul and Mary” will perform in a Mother’s Day Concert at 7 p.m. May 12 at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, in East Liberty. The concert is a celebration of his music.

Hope Academy of Music and the Arts teen theater company will open the concert.

Admission is pay-what-you-can. Proceeds will support Hope Academy’s music scholarship.

For more information, call 412-708-3443.

Macy’s will honor a century’s worth of memories under the Kaufmann’s Clock at Macy’s Downtown Pittsburgh with a two-day anniversary celebration.

For 100 years, Pittsburgh families, friends and lovers have used the Kaufmann’s Clock as a landmark to rendezvous downtown before venturing into the department store,

Meet Me Under The Clock Day will take place on May 17 at Macy’s Downtown Pittsburgh.

The day’s festivities will kick off with a private civic breakfast with community leaders and Pittsburgh’s Mr. McFeely of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

Activities will include:

• At 9:45 a.m., Meet Mr. McFeely of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” under the clock as he reads the city proclamation, declaring May 17, 2013, as “Meet Me Under The Clock” Day. View a collage of memories, stories, photos and memorabilia of Kaufmann’s famous clock in the store windows. Be one of the first 100 customers in the doors on Fifth Avenue near Smithfield Street and receive a $10 Macy’s gift card. One customer will receive a $100 Macy’s gift card.

• At 10 a.m., Macy’s will open and customers will enjoy in-store activities and have an opportunity to peruse the special Clock Shop, purchase special limited-edition clock-inspired merchandise including mugs, ornaments and more with art designed by local artists Wendell August and Linda Barnicott.

On May 18, a Meet Me Under the Clock Family Fun Day Celebration will take place at the Downtown store beginning at 10 a.m.

Meet friends for a bite to eat as prices are rolled back to the olden days on some customer favorites: the Thumbprint Cookie at the Arcade Bakery and the Tea Plate at the Tic Toc Restaurant.

Other activities include culinary demonstrations by Macy’s Culinary Council Chef Tom Douglas, a performance by the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, street fair festivities, carnival games, dance performances, tasty food trucks, balloon art, popcorn and more.

In conjunction with the National Cartoonists Society Conference, The ToonSeum will host the first Pittsburgh Comic Arts Festival from noon-5 p.m. May 26.

The festival will feature autograph and sketch sessions with over 60 of the nation’s top comic artist and cartoonists, including Partrick McDonnell of Mutts, Lynn Johnston of For Better or Worse, Tom Richmond of MAD Magazine, Brian Walker of Beetle Bailey, Dan Piraro of Bizarro.

The 900 Block of Liberty Avenue downtown will become a living funny pages block party with visits from Betty Boop, Popeye, Olive Oyl, Dennis the Menace and the Care Bears. Fun vendors, art activities, chalk artists and caricaturists will round out the festivities.

Several ticketed panel discussions and lectures will be taking place at Bricolage Theater featuring a panel of women cartoonists presented by Carlow University. The panel will include Cathy Guisewite, Lynn Johnston, Terri Liebenson and Hillary Price.

The ToonSeum will host the first-ever exhibition of Reuben Award winners, featuring a who’s who of comics and cartooning spanning more than 60 years and rarely seen original art.

At the August Wilson Center, there will be original art from the classic animated series Fat Albert on display in their gallery.

Admission to the street festival is free. A $5 admission gets access to exhibitions at the ToonSeum and artists signing booths.

Books and prints for signings will be available for purchase with all proceeds benefiting the NCS/ToonSeum Fund for Youth Programs.

Panel discussion ticket price is $20.

On Thursday night, there will be Special VIP tickets available including a sneak peek of the exhibit, reserved seating to all panels, and private meet and greet with artists, which are available for $150.

For more information, visit pghcomicartsfest.com

Opera Theater of Pittsburgh will perform “Shining Brow” June 7 and 8, the weekend of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 146th birthday. This American opera, with music by Daron Hagen and libretto by Paul Muldoon, will be performed on Fallingwater’s terraces.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with a reception starting at 6:30. A chartered bus will be available for the Saturday performance.

For details, call 412-326-9687.

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino announces its entertainment line-up for May. All concerts are free admission.

• Silks Lounge, 8 p.m.: Sam Ferrella and the Holidays (oldies), May 3; NOMaD (country), May 4; N2O2R (rock/pop), May 10; No Bad Ju Ju (pop/dance), May 11; Girlz in Black Hats (country), May 17; Bon Journey (Journey/Bon Jovi), May 18; Tres Lads (pop/classic), May 24; The Buffettman (Jimmy Buffett), May 25; Velveeta (pop), May 31.

• Pacers Lounge, 9 p.m.: Joel Lindsey Trio (variety trio), May 3; DJ Michael Joseph (all variety), May 4; Groove Doctors (variety duo), May 10; DJ AJ Fresh (video mix disc jockey), May 11; Twice as Nice (funk/dance trio), May 17; DJ Michael Joseph, May 18; Jeff Jimerson (variety duo), May 24; DJ AJ Fresh.

The Meadows also announces its 2013 outdoor concert series line-up featuring Grammy and Emmy award-winning artists.

Performances include: “Weird Al” Yankovic, Alpocalypse Tour, June 1 (tickets on sale now); The O’Jays with surprise special guest, June 29 (tickets on sale 10 a.m. May 4); country icon Ronnie Dunn, Aug. 3 as part of the Mylan Classic Charity Contest (ticket sales TBA at www.meadowsgaming.com); comedian and actor Bill Cosby, Aug. 17 (tickets on sale 10 a.m. June 15).

Tickets will be sold at ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 and at participating Giant Eagle locations. Additional information is available by visiting www.meadowsgaming.com.