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Friday, January 31, 2003

By Scott Mervis, Post-Gazette Weekend Editor

HYP-NO-TIZED!

Flip Orley is the kind of guy who can make you think you're married to a stranger and taking part in "The Newlywed Game." Not only do people enjoy it, they pay good money for it. That's because Orley is funny, and, unlike a lot of stage hypnotists, he's not out to humiliate his audience. (He won't make you bark like a dog.) Orley arrived at his craft when he bought a book called "How to Pick up Girls Through Hypnotism" in the sixth grade. He went on to study psychology at the University of Arizona, where he also became interested in stand-up comedy. He's put the two together to pack comedy clubs all over the country and appear on talk shows like Maury Povich and Ricki Lake. He says of his volunteers, "I want people to laugh with them, not at them." Orley is at the Improv, Waterfront, at 8 and 10 tonight; 7, 9 and 11 p.m. Saturday; and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15. Call 412-462-5233.

'DREAM' MAKERS

If you're trying to remember whether you've seen the Pittsburgh Opera perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" before, we can clear that up for you. You haven't. The Opera has never tackled it, and, in fact, it has never performed a work by Benjamin Britten, the composer who put sound to Shakespeare's comic fantasy. The production is directed by Paul Curran, who served as assistant to Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge") for "Dream" and other works in Sydney, Australia. Keep a lookout for countertenor Daniel Taylor in the demanding role of Oberon and CMU grad Justin Brill playing the physical Puck. Times at the Byham are 8 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Tuesday; 8 p.m. next Friday; and 2 p.m. Feb. 9. Tickets are $40 to $85. Call 412-456-6666.

WEB MASTER

So, if the Opera's at the Byham, what's at the Benedum? Spider-Man! Whereas the "Spider-Man" movie was a fairly intense PG-13, the preschool set packed the house on opening night for "Spider-Man Live!" The stunt spectacular, playing through Sunday, tells the story of Peter Parker's transformation from science geek to superhero, with a high-flying cast and a stage rigged with wires, ropes and trampolines. Spidey's battles with Crusher Hogan and the Green Goblin and his crush on Mary Jane Watson provide lots of thrills -- and parents will be glad to know that they bring it all in under 90 minutes. It's at the Benedum at 7 tonight; noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 12:30 and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14.50 to $28.50. Call 412-456-6666.

ONE SHOT DEAL

In an essay that accompanies the book "One Shot Harris," the esteemed Stanley Crouch writes of Charles "Teenie" Harris that "something new was made on this soil, and One Shot Harris, one shot at a time, helps us understand what it was." Coinciding with the publication of the book on the legendary Pittsburgh photographer, the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild opens "One Shot Harris: Select Photographs from the Teenie Harris Collection," an exhibit of 55 photos, many of which of are in the book, some of which have never been exhibited. Working for the Pittsburgh Courier, Harris documented the political, social and everyday life of African Americans from 1930 to 1975. Local historian Dr. Laurence Glasco will be the featured speaker at the opening, from 7 to 9 tonight. For details, call 412-322-1773.

ENTER SCARFACE

It looks like a night for hip-hop fans as Scarface, the "father of Southern thug rap," braves the frozen North for a show at Metropol on Sunday. Once known as Brad Jordan from Houston, Scarface helped define the sound of the Dirty South with the Geto Boys in the '80s. His husky voice, old-school vibe and vivid portrayal of street have made him a favorite of both fans and critics. His latest record, "The Fix," featuring Neptune beats and a side of Jay-Z, debuted at No. 4 on the charts. The show is Sunday at 11 p.m. Tickets are $20. Call 412-323-1919.

Jimmie Dale Gilmore, from the West Texas town of Tulia, sticks with what you'd expect from Texas but brings to his roadhouse music a sweet, melancholy twang that could never be mistaken for anyone else's. He was at Hartwood in August with the Flatlanders; on Sunday you can see him up close at Club Cafe at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 advance; $20 at the door. Call 412-323-1919.

Vance Gilbert, a contemporary folk singer from the Boston scene who draws comparisons to Al Jarreau and Bill Withers, plays Club Cafe at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $18 advance; $20 at the door. Call 412-323-1919.

CITY BEAT

After sitting through the emotional torrent of Athol Fugard's "Sorrows and Rejoicings," theater-goers might be ready for the cash bar, complimentary food and African music at the City Special tonight. Performing after the 8 p.m. play (around 9:35) at City Theatre will be Afrika Yetu, a local music, dance and education ensemble. Following the Sunday performance, South African poet and freedom fighter Dennis Brutus will speak and read his work. Both post-show events are free and open to the public. Show tickets for these performances are $10 for those 25 and younger. Call 412-431-CITY.

GOIN' TO A GO-GO

The Washington, D.C., Go-Go movement -- a 30-year-old scene that thrives on all-night dance parties of African-flavored funk-rock and soul -- is captured in "The Pocket," a new documentary by Nicolas Shumaker. The filmmaker will be at The Andy Warhol Museum at 7 tonight, along with a Go-Go DJ, to screen the film and offer an overview of the scene. Tickets are $15. Call 412-237-8300.

FEBRUARY FLOWERS

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens celebrates Black History Month with a variety of programs starting this weekend. On Saturday at noon, you can learn about how George Washington Carver discovered new uses for the peanut and revolutionized agriculture, and then stick around for the African stories and music by Azizi Powell at 2 p.m. On Sunday at noon, there will be a discussion on houseplants that originate in Africa. Also on Sunday, Phipps begins its Tropical Sundays with the music of Steelpan Combination from 1 to 3 p.m. All are free with admission. Call 412-622-6914.