Pittsburgh Opera Staging ‘As One’; Nied’s Hotel Hosts Bill Toms and Hard Rain (Sat., 2/18/17)

1) Along with big productions of longtime favorites from the repertoire, Pittsburgh Opera stages new and adventurous works. A highlight this year is Laura Kaminsky’s chamber opera As One, which has generated significant buzz since premiering at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2014. As One traces the story of a transgender woman, Hannah, by having a male singer as “Hannah before” her transition and a female as “Hannah after.” The roles are sung here by baritone Brian Vu and mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven. In the early scenes, Hannah is a small-town youth striving to be the “Perfect Boy” (the title of one aria). The opera then follows her through the tumultuous process of realizing her true identity—often, with the two singers chiming in alternately to convey Hannah’s conflicting thoughts and emotions. As One, with a libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed, is presented in the performance space at Pittsburgh Opera headquarters.8 p.m.  Performances through February 26. 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District. (MV)

Bill Toms plays some killer lead guitar riffs (c.) while Hard Rain and the Soulville Horns jam on at the Moondog’s Holiday Rock party. photo: Rick Handler.

2) Bill Toms and Hard Rain with the Soulville Horns are in the new year swing and will be rockn’ out Nied’s Hotel in Lawrenceville tonight. Toms’ slightly raspy, deeply soulful voice and his guitar playing prowess combine with the drums, horns, and rest of the band to create a hot rock sound. Toms’ next gig will be at Excuses on March 4. 8 p.m. 2526 E. Carson St.

3) The Pitt men’s basketball team and coach Kevin Stallings—whose done an admiral job of keeping the team together through some extra adversity this season— take on the Florida State Seminoles squad. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. It’s a Pitt retro uniform game so you can see the Panthers in their glorious royal blue and gold outfits! Next up is an away game Wednesday against the Wake Forrest Demon Deacons. Hail to Pitt! Petersen Events Center, 3719 Terrace St., Oakland.

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