PPT news

Mark R. Power, Pittsburgh Public Theater managing director since March 2006, has announced he is leaving in mid-July. The company credits him with "a number of major initiatives" in his 16-month tenure: "new and creative fund-raising efforts, the re-engineering of the company's computer infrastructure and the launch of a new Public Theater Web site." Power has decided "to pursue independent projects, including his longtime practice of investing in Broadway shows."

Meanwhile, Ted Pappas' contract has been renewed as producing artistic director (no dates given). He began at the Public as a guest director in 1994, took over as artistic director in the 2000-01 season and then took on the business side, as well, when Stephen Klein left. The company's press release continues, "the future status of the Public's senior management team is in the process of being finalized."

In looking back, the Public calls its 32nd season, which ends July 1, "a landmark year, expanding the company's profile and impact locally, regionally and nationally." It staged two world premieres, "The Secret Letters of Jackie and Marilyn" and "The Glorious Ones." The latter moves on to Lincoln Center this fall, while "Things of Dry Hours," which the Public premiered in 2004, will have its New York debut at the New York Theatre Workshop.

In other highlights, "Oedipus the King" set an all-time record for discounted ticket sales to full-time students and those 26 years of age and younger more than 4,100); "Cabaret" was the second-highest grossing show in the company's history; and the revamped PPT.org Web site debuted in April, featuring (among much else) a new "Ted's Take" feature, posting Pappas' company updates.

Las Vegas Journal

The Wings column is short today because I'm currently suffering cultural confusion and shock in Las Vegas, attracted here by the annual conference of the American Theatre Critics Association. An episodic account of this encounter with Sin City is appearing on my online On Stage Journal.

The Call Board

City Theatre announces the extension of "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?" through July 28 in its 111-seat Lester Hamburg Studio Theatre. Sharing the one-man show will be three actors: Ben Evans continues through July 6; the show's creator, Robert Dubac, takes over July 7-14; and concluding the run (unless it extends) will be Miles Stroth, who performs regularly at iOWest in Hollywood and was a featured player on Comedy Central's "Crossballs."

Leigh Ann Larkin, a 1998 North Hills High grad, will play Dainty June in "Gypsy" for the Encores! Series at New York's City Center, opening July 9. Starring will be Patti LuPone as Mama Rose, with Boyd Gaines as Herbie. Larkin, whose original name was Wielgus, just played Belle in Pittsburgh's Musical Theater's "Beauty and the Beast" at the Byham.

Looking ahead

There are still a few seats available on our Shaw/Stratford theater tour July 11-15; for details, call Gulliver's Travels at 412-441-3131 and ask for Candi.

"Off the Record VII" -- specific title still to be determined by the course of Pittsburgh follies -- is set for Thursday, Sept. 27 at the Byham Theater. Save that date!

The bottom line

Paid admissions at city's pro theaters for the week ending June 17:

High School Musical/CLO(86%) .................19,320
Gin Game/Public (57%) ............................... 2,771
SteelMagnolias/Mt.Plyhse (37%) ................. 1,151
Male Intellect/City (82%) ...............................483
Billy the Kid/Quantum (85%) ..........................427
Patsy Cline/CLO (28%) ..................................423
Hedda Gabler/PICT (40%) ............................ 555
American Humbug/TRAF (60%) ................... 151
Constant Prince/Unseam'd (19%) ...................... 78