Weekend Hotlist
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'Planets' align
It used to be that street astronomers would criticize Gustav Holst's "The Planets" for not including Pluto. Well, now that Pluto isn't considered a planet, that burning controversy is over, and we can all just enjoy one of the most colorful tone poems ever written (finished around 1916).
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and women of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh will perform the suite of seven movements under the direction of conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier. The PSO will partner with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh's NASA Educators Resource Center for displays in Heinz Hall's lobby. By the way, "The Planets" has only seven movements because Holst didn't include Earth, but our planet is well documented in the other piece on the program, Berlioz's "Harold in Italy," which features PSO principal violist Randolph Kelly. At Heinz Hall, Downtown, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $12.50-$83; 412-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org.
'Dreamcoat' unfolds
Pittsburgh's own Tim Hartman, fresh off his stint in the Broadway revival of "Finian's Rainbow," is back onstage in the Cultural District in Pittsburgh Musical Theater's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
It's hard to believe Mr. Hartman has somehow missed the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but this is his first time in "Joseph," playing the dual roles of Potiphar and Jacob.
Catch a video with the multitasking Pittsburgh actor and cartoonist at post-gazette.com/theater.
The show runs today through March 28 at the Byham Theater. Tickets: $12-$50; pittsburghmusicals.com, pgharts.org or 412-456-6666.
'Pirates' play
The Westmoreland Cultural Trust presents the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players in a one-off performance of "The Pirates of Penzance," the classic operetta performed with a cast of 23 and a 17-piece orchestra at the Palace Theatre, Greensburg.
You know this one -- the New York Public Theater did an all-star stage version of the comic romp, with Kevin Kline, Rex Smith and Linda Ronstadt, and they were all on deck for the 1983 movie as well. The lyric "I am the very model of a modern Major-General" has become an integral part of the musical theater lexicon.
First Published March 18, 2010 12:00 am
