Seams & Scenes

The Costumers Guild is back with its second exhibit, this at the Sirani Gallery, 5875 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. Included are set/costume combinations by Anne Mundell/Igor Roussanoff/Bill O'Donnell, Joan Markert/Stephanie Meyer-Staley and Erin Brown/John Lane, plus pieces by Leah Klocko, Beth Steinberg, Brad Oberg, Kari Framer and Kim Brown.

These are the people who give our theater such visual verve. I'm not sure about the list of artists because I haven't been there yet myself, but we'd better hurry up, because the exhibit runs just through Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday (with a closing reception 5-9). The Guild is at 412-719-2823.

'Love Letters'

There's a free performance of A.R. Gurney's popular play at 5 p.m. Saturday on the Chosky Theater stage at CMU, starring Peter Jason ("Deadwood") and Caroline McWilliams ("Guiding Light," "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Benson"), aka the former Mrs. Michael Keaton, who also directs.

The occasion is their 40th reunion at CMU. Producing and talking it up by phone from L.A. was author and classmate Iris Rainer Dart, who, as they say, gives good phone. This "Love Letters" is a reprise of a similar performance at their 35th reunion -- and it's free.

Don't confuse it with the Oct. 22 "Love Letters" at Heinz Hall with Barbara Eden and Hal Linden -- you'll pay for that.

Personal privilege

Starting this weekend (through Nov. 5), Playhouse Jr. stages "Jane Eyre (the musical)," providing synergy with Quantum Theatre's current "After Mrs. Rochester."

To answer why you haven't seen me write anything about the Quantum show (Anna Rosenstein did the honors), it's because my wife acts in it and you might suspect me of bias. So I'll confine myself to a few comments in my online On Stage Journal, which I'm re-starting this week after letting it lie dormant while I was producing "Off the Record VI."

"After Mrs. Rochester" hasn't been getting the crowds usual with Quantum, and I think that's because, though finding Quantum's different sites is always part of the fun, Braddock sounds dauntingly far. Well, it isn't (depending on your route), and the fabulous Braddock library and music hall are worth the trip in themselves.

As to "Off the Record VI," I'll report the final totals on funds raised for the Food Bank when we have them. But no, in answer to other requests: We do not sell video tapes of the show. You have to have been there, because, you know, it's off the record. That's just what I told a Canadian Broadcasting Corp. crew that was making a documentary on the Casey-Santorum race. They came to the show, without taping, and seemed to have a lot of fun.

Waiting for 'Godot'

We don't have to wait much longer -- The Gate Theatre production arrives next week. Make your plans! I've seen it only on film, but I can say it's a grand play with performances to savor. No college student interested in theater should miss it; there will be plenty of student discounts and rush seats available.

Duquesne

The Red Masquers open their 96th season, all plays by Duquense grads, with "Homeless: The Musical," a satire of the corporate take-over of America by Chris Dimond and Susanne Polak.

CLO Cabaret

"Forbidden Broadway" has a $5-off sale, Oct. 11-22 (but you have to buy by Oct. 13). That's at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., 412-456-6666 (mention code #1641.)

This Saturday's Late Night Cabaret features Chris Laitta's hit "TV Tunes" (10 p.m.).

The bottom line

Paid admissions at pro theaters, week ending Oct. 8:

Oedipus/Public (71%) ... 3,420

Good Body/City (70%) .......... 705

Rochester/Quan.(51%) .......... 383