http://www.post-gazette.com/ Reviews and previews, news and features, Drama Editor Chris Rawson's On Stage Journal en-us Copyright 2012, post-gazette.com. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 04:39:37 -0500 15 http://www.post-gazette.com/includes/2007design/images/150x30pg_now_logo.gif http://www.post-gazette.com/ 144 39 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208532-500.stm?cmpid=theater.xml For anyone who has ever squeezed into the sausage skin of a leotard, hobbled funk-less through a hip-hop combination or been chastised for poor posture in a ballet class, comedian Jen Childs has a soft spot for you. These are just a few of the scenarios she cites in her one-woman show "Why I'm Scared of Dance," which continues Thursday through Sunday at City Theatre, South Side. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208535-325.stm?cmpid=theater.xml What was not to love about Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's succulent dance foray among the hallmark composers known as the three B's -- Bach, Beethoven and Brahms? Called "Uncommon," it wasn't a full-length theatrical production, but in many respects was a more massive undertaking. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208540-500.stm?cmpid=theater.xml Nothing seems as fascinating to a middle-aged American male as the guy himself. Examples abound, so I'll leave Charlie Sheen alone, but for an evening's immersion in this area of self-absorption, try "Mid-Strut" at The REP, Point Park University's professional company. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12036/1207933-325.stm?cmpid=theater.xml Mark Clayton Southers has been working on "The Gammage Project" for two years and directing the play through rehearsals as it readies for a Thursday opening. There was a moment when he let his actors do some freestyle acting, just to have a little fun, before getting back to the play. "That's going to be the most fun we have," he said. "It's a real tough piece." Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:25:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12035/1208237-42-0.stm?cmpid=theater.xml NEW YORK -- Phylicia Rashad gave the most affectionate speech, Brian Dennehy the funniest and Donald Margulies the best written. But the best overall was by surprise presenter Meryl Streep -- affectionate and funny, delivered in that artless way that is the perfection of art. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 18:32:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12035/1208109-122-0.stm?cmpid=theater.xml Ben Gazzara, an intense actor whose long career included playing Brick in the original "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on Broadway, roles in influential films by John Cassavetes and work with several generations of top Hollywood directors, died Friday in New York City. He was 81. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:42:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12035/1208083-325.stm?cmpid=theater.xml A dance company's season lineup is like a good recipe. It's got to be just the right blend of tried and true favorites, something sweet and something spicy with a dash of surprise. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2012-13 offering will treat audiences to a little whimsy and fantasy, passion and heartache and the ooo-la-la of turn-of-the-century Paris. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500