‘Dulcy’ and ‘Choir Boy Continue Run; Free Admission to Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Thurs., 10/8/15)

A young Groucho? Nope, but close—it’s George S. Kaufman, writer for the Marx Brothers and co-author of “Dulcy,” in revival at Pittsburgh Playwrights.

1) As the name implies, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company is devoted to the work of Pittsburgh and locally born writers, with an emphasis on racial and cultural diversity. Known for its strong interpretations of plays by August Wilson and other modern artists of color, PPTCO is also prone to step outside that box, as it does by presenting Dulcy. The zany comedy is a throwback gem from 1921, co-written by Pittsburgh native George S. Kaufman and McKeesport native Marc Connelly when they were rising stars in New York. Both later won Pulitzer Prizes; Kauffman won another brand of fame as a writer for the Marx Brothers, and Dulcy has the Marxian spirit—except with a female flavor. The title character is a wild-witted woman who wades boldly into serious affairs of high society and big business, raising havoc all around. PPTCO’s production updates the setting from the Roaring Twenties to 2015 but aims to keep the roar factor intact. 8 p.m. Continues through October 11. Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 937 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. (MV)

2) Maybe it’s a cliché to say that a play “rocks” the audience. That, however, is precisely what Tarell McCraney’s Choir Boy has been doing to audiences across the country since it opened in New York in 2013. The video clip above was made by the Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C., which presented the play early this year. The REP at Pittsburgh Playhouse is performing Choir Boy here, and seat belts should be fastened—unless you are moved to stand up and rock along with the cast. Though filled with music, this is not a musical. It is a drama about a boys’ gospel choir at an African American prep school. Much of the drama revolves around the fact that one boy is gay. Themes of repression, rebellion, and liberation abound, shot through with wicked humor. Choir Boy is not always pretty, but the word is that it’s pretty powerful. 8 p.m. Runs through October 11. Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave., Oakland. (MV)

3)  Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland is offering free admission every Thursday evening in October thanks to UPMC Health Plan. Enjoy exhibits about different cultures, animals, dinosaurs, minerals, nature and ancient Egypt, etc. 3 – 8 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave.

Allegheny County Radical Days 2015

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Free admisison 9am-8pm
Guided tours of the Garden will be offered at noon and 4:30pm. The Discovery Cart for children will offer special activities throughout the day. There will be an adult education lecture (Elizabeth Murphy) on soil science from 6:30-8pm.
799 Pinkerton Run Rd. (Oakdale, 15071) pittsburghbotanicgarden.org

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