PICT Classic Theatre Returns with Coronation Party and Powerful Staged Reading of ‘Charles III’

King Charles (Cotter Smith) receives Prince William (Ryan Patrick Kearney) and Princess Katherine (Zoe Abuyuan) as Queen Camilla (Debra Gordon) looks on in PICT’s ‘King Charles III.’

Like many arts and entertainment organizations, PICT Classic Theatre has had a difficult few years. First came the multi-year pandemic and then a parting of the ways with longtime artistic director Alan Stanford.

Now with a new artistic director, Elizabeth Elias Huffman, PICT is on the road back. On May 6, the same day King Charles was crowned, PICT threw its own coronation party at WQED Studios, the company’s performance home. PICT subscribers, friends, family, and some media assembled for a fun afternoon tea party with assorted teas, sandwiches, scones, cookies, piano music from Joe Balogh, and most deliciously—some wonderful theater.

PICT’s coronation party featured an assortment of sumptuous fare.

A powerhouse cast performed a spirited, staged reading of the 2014 play by Mike Bartlett, Charles III, with direction from Huffman. The play is quite timely as the plot is centered on King Charles III as he awaits his coronation after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The king faces problems of both political and domestic natures. The play also explores whether being king is all performance art or if there is a deeper purpose to the role.  PICT’s performance of Charles III featured dialogue that was part Shakespearean rhythm and part contemporary chatter.

The cast included Cotter Smith, star of stage and screen, as King Charles III. Noted Wilsonian actor Wali Jamal Abdullah played the King’s advisor, James Reiss, and also played Speaker of the House of Commons. It was very interesting to see (and hear) Abdullah perform with an English accent after watching him in so many August Wilson plays. James Fitzgerald was a worthy opponent to the King as Prime Minister Evans, and as the Archbishop. Camilla was portrayed by Debra Gordon. Ryan Patrick Kearney played Prince William with Zoe Abuyuan as Princess Katherine. Prince Harry was performed by Noah Welter with Saige Smith as his anti-royal girlfriend Jess. Rounding out the fine cast were Randy Kovitz, Todd Griffin, Brenden Peifer, and Julia Silverman. The stage manger was Kelly Haywood.

James Reiss (Wali Jamal Abdullah) speaks with Prince Harry’s love interest, Jess (Saige Smith).

Elizabeth Elias Huffman, a Monongahela, Pennsylvania native, is an acclaimed actor, director, and playwright who has worked in Los Angeles, New York, and London. Before the play she spoke about slowly bringing PICT back with a series of staged readings while fundraising in advance of bigger productions the following season. She also expressed a desire to bring more theater to the Mon Valley. To stay informed about PICT Classic Theatre see PICT’s website and if you’d like to donate to their restructuring visit their Go Fund Me page.

Prince Harry (Noah Welter, back to camera) hanging out with his friends Couttsey (L., Brenden Peifer) and Spencer (Todd Griffin), and girlfriend Jess (Saige Smith).

Story and photos by Rick Handler, executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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