Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Despite the threat of rain, 238 members of the New York theater community gathered to show their Pittsburgh roots in a group photo Nov. 16 at Times Square. Click photo for larger image or here for a huge version.

By Christopher Rawson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Pittsburghers involved in the New York theater scene catch up with old friends (above) before the group photo at Times Square. In the center of the photo, from left, are Allderdice High School alumna Rebecca Greenberg (in white sweater); Joan Marcus, a Highland Park native who is the leading photographer of Broadway shows; and Ann Kaufman Schneider, the daughter of playwright George S. Kaufman, the East Liberty native whose birthday the gathering commemorated. PG drama editor Christopher Rawson used a University of Pittsburgh megaphone (below) to welcome the crowd and lead a group sing-along of "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood." Click photos for larger versions. Related stories Pittsburgh on Broadway: Who's Who -- an index to participants in the group photo and some video profiles. Pittsburgh on Broadway: Regards, and regrets Update This is an expanded version of a story originally published Sunday morning Nov. 27, 2005 online and in print. The index to people in the picture will continue to be updated as more identities are revealed.

NEW YORK -- It's an article of faith that Pittsburgh contributes far more than its demographic share to the national show business talent pool, and that you can hardly turn around in the New York theater community without bumping into a Pittsburgher.

There may be only anecdotal evidence for this, but on Nov. 16, the evidence was ocular as 238 people claiming show business lives and Pittsburgh roots crowded onto a traffic island on Broadway in Times Square.

They were there to celebrate their pride in Pittsburgh. The Post-Gazette sponsored the reunion, in the style of its similar Nov. 16, 1994, gathering of 205 Pittsburghers on the same spot, to honor Pittsburgh talent and tell these expatriates that their hometown cares about them in what can be difficult livelihoods, especially for those on the lowest rungs of a steep and slippery ladder.

The date was chosen because it's the birthday of playwright George S. Kaufman, who, if he wasn't the first Pittsburgher to make it big on Broadway, made it bigger than anyone else ever had. With Mr. Kaufman and August Wilson, Pittsburgh can claim two of the greatest American playwrights.

Some noted Broadway names were present, including director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall, composer Stephen Flaherty, half the cast of the new "Sweeney Todd" and "Mama Mia" star Michele Pawk (she's from Butler, but that counts). Lots of other big names were missing, busy lives being what they are. But the cross-section of theatrical citizenry that magically swarmed into Times Square for the noontime picture and party to follow was evidence of how widespread Pittsburgh talent is, in roles big and small, on creative staffs and backstage, in offices and on tour.

No one knew in advance how many would show up. I started sending e-mails, helped by colleges and theater companies, just three weeks before the event. Word then spread through the branching friendships Pittsburghers maintain. Nearly 100 sent word they would come. But the morning was threatening rain.

Waiting with me on that traffic island at 44th Street were 10 newly installed platforms of various heights, a Post-Gazette videographer/photographer, six friends with clipboards to sign people in, alumni staff from CMU and a nine-person film crew led by Pittsburgh booster Carl Kurlander, who is making a documentary movie about the dichotomies that feed the love and despair we feel for Pittsburgh. Had they all schlepped so far in vain?

And then the human swarm began, all of a sudden, and there were more people than the clipboards could quickly process and the platforms could hold. All around were excited encounters, stirring up connections and memories, in some cases many decades old. Sweeney Todd himself, Michael Cerveris (who knew he was a Pittsburgher?), brought his dog. The rain held off. Everyone joined in singing "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" (a first for Times Square?) and then we took the picture.

At Sardi's

Those who didn't have matinees, auditions or pressing jobs then headed down the street to Sardi's for an afternoon party hosted by the Post-Gazette in the Eugenia Room, decorated with pennants and posters from Pittsburgh colleges, sports teams and theaters. The bar was stocked with Iron City in Alcoa aluminum bottles and Rolling Rock in cans, respectively commemorating Dan Marino and Myron Cope, and the tables of munchies included Clark bars in PPG buckets. Talk blossomed.

Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Pittsburghers involved in the New York theater scene adjourned from the Times Square photo shoot to a party at Sardi's, including retired William Herz, left, a Carnegie Tech graduate and last living cast member from Orson Wells' Mercury Theater production of "War of the Worlds." At right is Ann Kaufman Schneider, daughter of playwright George S. Kaufman. Click photo for larger image.

Probably the most veteran attendee was Bill Herz, CMU '37, whose first job out of college was working for Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre. The icon of the day was Anne Kaufman Schneider, pleased to see her father's birthday remembered.

Norman Roth, a theatrical accountant, free-lance lyricist and one-time theatrical producer (both solo and with the legendary Don Brockett), reported having called client Kitty Carlisle Hart that morning to ask, "Do you know whose birthday this is?" Moss Hart's widow, she is Anne Kaufman's close associate in administering the rights to such famous Kaufman and Hart plays as "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and "You Can't Take It With You."

Most determined to attend was composer Flaherty ("Ragtime," "Seussical," many more). To reach Times Square in time, he took a 6 a.m. plane from Chicago, where he was working on a new version of his musical about Gertrude Stein (another Pittsburgh connection, since Stein was born on what is now the North Side). Flaherty was full of the Pittsburgh connections in the cast of that show (e.g. Christine Mild, also in Times Square) and in other current projects, like Chita Rivera's "A Dancer's Life," for which he's supplying original songs "in the key of Chita."

The six from the "Sweeney Todd" cast showed how eager people are to count as Pittsburghers. The truest native is Diana DiMarzio (Beggar Woman). But Cerveris, playing the title role, grew up in Huntington, W.Va., and spent "every holiday" with his father's Pittsburgh family, "so I certainly feel a proud part of the Iron City expats." Alexander Gemignani (Beadle) considered himself qualified because he earned his Equity card at the CLO and his grandparents are Pittsburghers; Donna Lynne Champlin (Pirelli) because of CMU and shows at the Public; and Mark Jacoby (Judge Turpin) because of shows at the Public and CLO.

And Dorothy Stanley, who stands by for both Champlin and Patti LuPone, considers herself a Pittsburgher since her father was from Fox Chapel, her mother from Squirrel Hill and she earned her Equity card at the CLO.

Reunion was the word. "I just ran into a guy I played floor hockey with at Shadyside Boys Club in the late '70s!" said Sam Turich. He claimed he got e-mails about the Times Square event from "six different directions." Theatrical multi-threat Tom Berger claimed the e-mails came "from about 15,000 people. It's a lot better than my high school reunion!"

	Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Tom Rocco, left, gets a laugh out of Broadway producer Sharon Fallon as he recalls seeing her perform a bedroom scene in a play when they were students at Pitt. They were chatting with Squirrel Hill native Norman Roth, a Broadway accountant. Tom Rocco Sharon Fallon Norman Roth Click photo for larger image.

Tom Rocco said Sharon Fallon was the first person he remembers seeing at Pitt: "She was in 'La Ronde' and someone got on the bed on top of her, and I thought, 'This is thee-ay-ter!' " Mr. Rocco also saw people he last worked with 20 years back, in "A Chorus Line" with Lenora Nemetz at the Playhouse: Kathleen Marshall, Jim Athens, Pam Bradley, Maura White and Preston Simpson. He was especially "impressed to see every age range represented," from high school senior Paul McGill on up.

This year, Rocco has been having fun as a member of the SAG nominating committee for best actress, actor and picture, with plenty of attendant screenings and events -- "not bad company for a kid from the North Side." And he's busy promoting his CD, "Matters of the Heart" (see www.tomrocco.com).

Composer/director David Lenchus recited a roll call of Pittsburgh actors he's worked with, including Champlin, Christopher Hoch, Patricia Phillips and Brenda Bush, in his musical, "Poe"; Bush and Manu Narayan in "Chrysalis"; and Jason Carvell, Lori Faiella, Matthew Fletcher, Michael McEachran, Benjamin Moore and Cory Waletzko in Scott Sickles' "The Philosopher's Joke."

Playwright Sickles had his own litany of Pittsburgh connections. His first job in the Big Apple was company/house manager for Playwrights Horizons. Currently, he is a producing director and resident dramaturge of WorkShop Theater, which he calls an emerging developmental company. His evening of one-acts opens there in February. For TV, he just completed a brief tenure at "One Life to Live" writing episodes aired on Oct. 4 and Nov. 2, with expectations of more to come.

Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Two actors who helped launch their careers performing in Pittsburgh's Civic Light Opera were reunited after the group photo at the party at Sardi's. Sarrah Strimel, left, just left "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and is heading to do "Cats" in Houston. Courtney Laine Mazza, a graduate of Pittsburgh CAPA, is involved in the pre-Broadway development of "Princesses." Sarrah Strimel Courtney Laine Mazza Click photo for larger image.

There was much talk of everyone's beginnings in high school musicals, CLO, Point Park and CMU. Two beautiful young musical theater veterans, Sarrah Strimel and Courtney Laine Mazza, met as Mini-Stars and still do a lot of "lunch therapy" together. Strimel left the "Producers" tour to do "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Broadway but was let go because of what they called "a casting mistake" -- they hadn't realized she was so tall! Next, she's off to do "Cats" in Houston. Mazza finished the tour of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" last spring and is involved in the pre-Broadway "Princesses" in Seattle, with Point Park alum Rob Ashford choreographing.

CAPA grad Mazza said about the beautiful new CAPA building, "I like to think I was part of the old CAPA. But I think I'd cry if I saw their new theater."

Stand-up comedian Preston Simpson considers himself a graduate of Don Brockett U. and said he'll "never forget us performing at South Hills Village, all dressed in white!"

Speaking of playwright Kaufman, Stephen Wilde (who did a degree in economics at CMU, then went back for a grad degree in acting, his first love) is playing McKeesport playwright Marc Connolly in "Talk of the Town," a comedy about the famous Round Table that has been running for some time on Sundays and Mondays at (naturally) the Algonquin Hotel. Anne Kaufman came to see the show -- her father knew something about that scene.

There were other examples of vocational U-turns. Garry Moore went from Perry High School '93 ("city champs six years in a row") to M.I.T. He calls himself "a proud product of the Pittsburgh public school system" and produces software, but he's also an aspiring playwright. Cheryle Terry is retired from UPMC and pursuing a new career as an actor. Lori Faiella just quit her law firm job ("and just before bonus time"), also in favor of acting.

The appearance of former Pennsylvania treasurer Barbara Hafer might suggest she's going into show biz, too -- unless politics puts her in that category already.

Michael McGurk is evidence there's life after "Dr. Dolittle," since he's doing "The Wedding Singer" on Broadway next spring. Billy Porter had news, too -- the day after the Times Square photo he made his debut on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and his "At the Corner of Broadway + Soul" is at Joe's Pub at the New York Public Theater on Nov. 28.

Sarah Zeitler aims high: She has worked for Clear Channel, danced in "Broadway BARES," will sing in the World AIDS Day concert of "The Secret Garden" (Dec. 5) and said: "I hope to return to the CLO someday as executive producer!"

	Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Bob Buckler, a prop man for "The Producers," and Jerry James, of the BMI Musical Theater Workshop, share a common history through the Red Barn Theater in Allison Park, which Buckler helped found 45 years ago. Buckler and James Click photo for larger image.

Those with matinee performances weren't able to come to Sardi's, of course -- except Bob Buckler, who does props for "The Producers," a nice steady job. (He left to do "The Boy from Oz" for six months but then went back. When he retires, he says he's coming back home.) At 2 p.m. he announced, "I have to go do a show" -- which had just started. Fortunately, his first cue wasn't until 2:30.

Most stayed on for more reminiscence. Gradually, empty Iron City bottles and Rolling Rock cans departed in pockets as collectors' items. "Which do you think I talked about more, theater or football?" quizzed Turich.

The next day, Kurlander, director of photography Mark Knobil and their film crew for "Tale of Two Cities" (the working title) were out in front of the August Wilson Theatre interviewing several theatrical Pittsburghers about what makes the city such a source of talent. But that's a different story.

"Good luck finding Waldo" in the picture, wrote Tim Altmeyer, adding: "It was fun singing Fred Rogers."

"It was one of those days that remind me how much I enjoy being part of the show-biz community," said Nick Ruggeri.

Who's doing what?

There's nothing complete about what follows, just a smattering of what the gathered Pittsburghers reported about themselves, either amid the happy hurly-burly that day or by e-mail, about past, current and future theatrical projects.

Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Gwen Orel, a Pitt doctoral candidate and reporter for "Backstage," sat down for a chat with CMU grad Tamara Tunie, who was born in McKeesport and raised in Homestead. She stars in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and is a regular on the daytime television drama "As the World Turns." Tunie said she's a die-hard Steelers fan. She's especially been rooting this season for backup quarterback Charlie Batch, a childhood acquaintance from Homestead. Gwen Orel Tamara Tunie Click photo for larger image.

Jennifer Neubauer, CMU assistant vice president for alumni relations, and her staff had a table at Sardi's to welcome CMU grads and hand out lapel pins, brochures and such. Among CMU grads who showed up in Times Square (though not in the picture) was Biff Liff, a William Morris vice-president.

Musician and filmmaker Patrick Halloran is an Allentown native who adopted Pittsburgh when he went to Pitt for "seven years -- if you go to Pitt, it takes seven years." Now he has a sort-of Irish band, Ceann, with a new quasi-parodic CD, "Almost Irish," with many a song about longing for Pittsburgh ("where the guys say 'yunz' and the girls say 'no'").

After being away from Pittsburgh for years, Paul Binotto was recently back to do "Peer Gynt" at Playhouse Rep, and he'll be back this winter to play the Engineer in "Miss Saigon" for PMT.

Among the many with a connection to Norman Roth, who seems to know or be related to just about everyone, was Brendan Griffin, whose father, Patrick, was Roth's good friend growing up. In just a year and a half in New York, Griffin has acted on "One Life to Live" and "Law and Order." He heard about the gathering from his father, who read him a small blurb from the Post-Gazette, and told him to look for "Chico" Roth (his Allderdice nickname). The two then called Patrick from Sardi's.

You can't see it in the Times Square picture, partly because of the photo she is holding of her sister, Monica, bassoonist with the Imani Winds, but Tiffany Ellis is about to take maternity leave from her job at a performing arts center in Harlem. She and Jason Brown wanted to know all about the projected closing of Schenley High School, and they reminisced about doing musicals there with the charismatic "Mr. B," Roger Babusci. "He's critical to every Pittsburgher who came out of Schenley and went on to New York," she said. "He takes you seriously," Brown agreed; "it's tough love."

There are actually two Cerverises working in NYC. Along with Michael in "Sweeney Todd," his brother Todd opens next month in a new play, "Almost Maine," Off-Broadway.

Jeff Paul works at Scholastic Publishing but continues to act, most recently for WorkShop Theater in "Antony and Cleopatra" and "The Barkdale Confession" by CMU alum William C. Kovacsik.

Mollie O'Mara, who counts herself a Pittsburgher because her uncle was Billy Conn and her grandfather was "Greenfield Jimmy" Smith who played for the Pirates, is a cousin to Janet Smith, production manager on the Kurlander movie about Pittsburgh.

Leading Hollywood agent Eric Gold showed up but declined to be in the picture, reasoning that he isn't really in theater.

Brett Kennedy, whose mother, Canice, is a well-known Pittsburgh casting director, actually lives in L.A. but was in New York. He's also doing some auditioning that might have him acting back in Pittsburgh soon.

I was especially happy to see Martha Garvey, whom I can call my mentor because she, then a Pitt undergrad reviewing plays for the faculty's University Times, got me my first shot at reviewing. Garvey is mainly an author these days, "promoting my two books on how to help your pets slim down and live longer, 'My Fat Cat' and 'My Fat Dog,' published by Hatherleigh Press, both excellent stocking stuffers. I'm also working on a novel, not pet-related so far."

She and Melony McGant discovered their mothers were close friends; McGant also remembered baby-sitting for Sharon Fallon. Also known as storyteller/performer Miss Mellie Rainbow, McGant is a poet, children's book author and playwright. Her "Toujour Bleu: Katherine Dunham and Her Love Affair with Haiti" opened the Readers Series at this year's National Black Theatre Festival, directed by Kuntu Rep's Vernell Lillie.

Fallon's company is busy developing "Nerds\\: a Musical Software," all about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs from 1975 until their big Supreme Court case in 1995.

	Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Craig DiBiase was happy to promote his "polkadocumentary." Click photo for larger image.

Among the many enthusiastic partiers was Craig DiBiase, who is directing and producing a "polkadocumentary" on the subculture of polka called "It's Happiness," which just completed principal photography (see www.polkamovie.com).

Among the newest arrivals in the Big Apple is Point Park's Erin Krom, just moved from Pittsburgh and sharing "a great apartment" in Harlem with Anna Malinoski. On Nov. 28, Krom starts a temporary job as a Macy's elf. "Oh, you're so short, you're perfect!" they told her. Elves can't come any cuter. Fortunately Krom has a David Sedaris point of view to keep her sane.

Ann Lauterbach, whose family owns Bravo Franco, was a CLO mini-star. Now a stay-at-home mom, she told me that in my review of her in CLO's "A Christmas Carol" I said she looked too young for Mrs. Cratchit. She still does.

Patricia Phillips' Broadway credits include Carlotta in "Phantom," Baz Luhrman's "La Boheme" and the Ayah in "Secret Garden" -- "I was replaced by the young Audra McDonald."

Working at CBS news, Patrick Sheldon isn't exactly in show business (or is he?), but he takes special pride in his network's broadcasting of the Tony Awards. As a young man, he acted at Camelot Productions in Bloomfield and was in the non-Equity chorus at the CLO. He remembers that Marilyn Eastman (then a beautiful 50) taught him (then 21) how to make out on stage. "Any kid who leaves Pittsburgh and comes here can get work," he said, reflecting on the hard work Pittsburghers are known for. He still has a house on the North Side, where he may return some day.

	Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Among the newer arrivals on the New York theater scene are Point Park University grads, from left, Daina Michelle Griffith, John Magaro and Erin Krom. Daina Michelle Griffith John Magaro Erin Krom Click photo for larger image.

The variety of jobs theater people take is exemplified by Tom Berger who lists himself as director/music director/choreographer/stage manager/arranger and teaching artist. "What I lack in talent I make up for in versatility," he jokes. He has recently directed at Marist College and assistant directed at Theatre at St. Clements, and he did marketing and PR for "Two Gentlemen of Verona" in Central Park this summer.

When she was "younger and single," Roberta Caplan was a dancer who also taught for the NEA Artist-in-Schools program in Moon in conjunction with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. Now, she's the mother of a 14 year old daughter, Arielle, "who adores the theater and attends a theater camp (Stagedoor Manor) every summer. I gave up my dancing shoes years ago and am in the development field -- fundraising for all kinds of non-profit organizations."

Considering the large crowd that turned up, Turich said, "it has always seemed like you can't turn around here without bumping into a Pittsburgher -- last month I did a staged reading with Harry Bouvy, whom I hadn't seen since we both carried spears in Yossi Yzraley's 'Antony & Cleopatra' at the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival when we were in college -- and now I see why."

Director Donald Brenner is in pre-production for the premiere of a new play by Sherman Yellen, "December Fools," opening Off-Broadway in February. "We've just finished casting and Jana Robbins [Johnstown] is playing the lead."

Scott Pearson is looking forward to "winter on the beach," appearing in Sarasota, Fl., in a play called "Piano Man" -- perfect for him.

Jared Bortz is in "Wicked," where Bruce Moore is a stagehand.

Aaron Russell, son of comedian Barbara Russell, plays percussion for the Off-Broadway interactive musical, "Bingo."

Recent Shakespeare Monologue Contest winner Sarah Silk is working on getting her Equity card.

Cabaret artist Jean-Luke Mete has performed at the Rainbow Room and is looking for an intimate cabaret site in Pittsburgh. He has a CD, as does Susannah Perlman -- "Goddess Perlman," it's called.

McKeesporter Huck Mack Dill is a magician who also does hair, working on a zillion New York shows.

Leo Ash Evans toured with Disney's "On the Record" and says he found a friend from Pittsburgh in every city.

For Christine Summer, growing up in Midland, Pittsburgh was the glamorous place they went for Christmas shopping. She heard about the gathering at the last minute from a friend.

Kate Gaudio missed the 1994 picture because she was busy as president of the wardrobe workers union.

Adam Bernstein is artistic director of the Confluence Theatre Company, made up mainly of recent Point Park grads, and also associate general manager at Signature Theatre.

Just arrived in NYC, Daina Michele Griffith has already played a Russian call girl in "Jane Ho" at the Lion Theatre on Theatre Row.

Matt Messinger, a writing major at Pitt (class of '82), is now a casting director.

Bob Kwiatkowski takes acting classes and does commercials, but he's been paying the bills as a dresser, currently on "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and before that on eight other Broadway shows since 1995.

Molli-Kai Chandler is a sophomore in theater at NYU and Rebecca Greenberg, a freshman.

Jacqueline Bayne is in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."

Elizabeth Horn, artistic director of the Invisible City Theatre Company, says she caught the bug at Ellis School ('95): "I've told my Ellis teacher and mentor, Patricia Gray, that I hold her wholly responsible for my career in New York. When you take a 17-year-old girl and cast her as Lilli Vanessi opposite a 22-year-old Patrick Wilson as Fred Graham, at an all-girls' school no less, said teenager really doesn't stand a chance. She's hooked for life."

In its fourth season, Horn's Invisible City is preparing the December premiere of "Coronado," the first piece written expressly for the stage by Dennis Lehane, author of "Mystic River. "Coronado" is the company's twelfth production and fifth world premiere.

As did many others, Lindsay Erb recalled an early review from the Post-Gazette, telling me, "you came to Pine Richland High School (when it was still just Richland) to see our 'Oklahoma' in 1993 -- and it was the first and only review I ever got!" She is now Program Administrator for Rosie's Broadway Kids -- "it's all about bringing Broadway to the New York City public classrooms, and I love it!" When Roundabout co-produced "Big River," she had a reunion with fellow Richland grad, director-choreographer Jeff Calhoun. And she wants all to know that her favorite Steelers bar is Scruffy Duffy's at 46th and 8th.

Ann Talman reports

The longest e-mail report was from Ann Talman, who grew up in Upper St. Clair and was looking forward to Thanksgiving and her USC High School 30th reunion in the Gunner's Lounge at PNC Park -- named for Pirates broadcaster Bob Prince who, when she was growing up, lived two streets away. Talman was an inaugural inductee in the Upper St. Clair Hall of Fame in the arts category -- "so many of my high school went into the arts." Her four Broadway shows include "The Little Foxes," where she played Elizabeth Taylor's daughter.

But her e-mail was mainly about Pittsburgh connections:

"Last week I was in LA and had lunch and dinner with Sarah Rush. She and I went to Penn State together and also worked at Little Lake Dinner Theatre when we were kids. Sara is so excited about her documentary, "Bituminous Coal Queens of PA." ... I just did a workshop of a new musical with David Brunetti -- big Pittsburgh theater family. I was in 'Yours, Anne' Off-Bway in 1985 with Betty Aberlin of "Mr. Rogers." ... In 1991 I did a reading of Charles Grodin's play, 'The All Time Greatest' ... I knew Jerri Ragni ("Hair") from Canonsburg. ... Last week I also had lunch with Steve Cerveris, USC '75, cousin of Michael."

"My commercial agent with Abrams Artists is Tracy Goldblum from Squirrel Hill, first cousin of Jeff Goldblum -- we talk about The Burgh all the time. I have written a nonfiction narrative memoir and it has tons of Pittsburgh in it. I write the Burgh accent and all when I quote people."

"I knew August Wilson from 10 seasons working at the Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. His death has left such a void. I saw many of his plays begin at the O'Neill. When I worked there in 2004, the company manager was Kathy Campbell from Pittsburgh. [Next] I leave for Boston to do 'Dangerous Liasons' at the Huntington. I could go on and on. I hope I can squeeze into the photo on the 16th ..."

Squeeze in she did.

Finding people

	Curt Chandler, Post-Gazette Everybody held up a numbered card to help identify them. Click photo for larger image.

When people signed in at Times Square, we handed out cards with numbers and took a preliminary picture with them held aloft. (You can still see some numbers in the final photo.) But they didn't all show up well, especially those in back. So there has been an active e-mail correspondence trying to identify everyone.

"I'm in the quadrant behind the guy in the orange stripped shirt who we had to keep asking to 'duck dahn,'" one person wrote. "I'm in profile," wrote another. "I'm up in the upper left hand corner, with sunglasses on, next to the guy with the hat," wrote a third.

Sometimes, testimonies differed, as in "Rashomon" or eyewitness accounts. So the chart listing everyone in the picture is an on-going project. Now that the picture is published for all to see, we should be able to fill in the few gaps and perfect the list here on the Web.

The picture's publication on Thanksgiving weekend is serendipitous, because many of those in it are back in Pittsburgh sharing the holiday with family. Jeff Paul wrote he would be back "till late Sunday afternoon, so my parents will be SO excited that the picture is in the paper while I'm there. You've made their MONTH!" And Diane DiCroce wrote about the photo: "So many faces! See how many lives [the Post-Gazette has] touched over the years!"

Support Troops

Although produced by the drama department at the Post-Gazette, the Times Square gathering and picture had lots of help, especially in spreading the word. Fleets of e-mails went out from Cindy Opatick and Pittsburgh CLO, Don Wadsworth of CMU drama, Joe McGoldrick of Point Park University, Yvonne Steele of Pitt, Vernell Lillie of Kuntu Rep, Jennifer Neubauer and Eric Sloss of CMU, Adam Bernstein of Confluence Theatre Company and many, many more. Many Pittsburghers saw the announcement in the Post-Gazette and sent word to their New York relatives and friends.

Holding the six clipboards in Times Square and struggling dutifully to register the surge of humanity arriving just at noon were Eric Sloss and Krista Panza from CMU, Julie Miller and Sam Cotler of Kurlander's crew, PR wizard Tim Colbert (who appears in the picture) and theater fan Ron Necheff.

The indispensable man was Post-Gazette videographer, photographer and technical maven Curt Chandler.

Looking ahead

"You do this every year, right?" asked one young actor.

Not on your life. But maybe by the next time Nov. 16 falls on a Wednesday, in 2011, we'll be ready to give it another shot.

In the meantime, we need to redeem a promise originally made in 1994 to convene the same sort of "Pittsburghers in show biz" gathering in Los Angeles. That's the plan for 2006.