Marvel’s ‘Captain America: Civil Wars’ Now Screening; ‘Tru’ Continues at The Public (Wed., 5/11/16)

1) Captain America: Civil War – Well, they’ve run out of villains! As in the recent Batman v. Superman, the fine folks at Marvel Studios are now turning their heroes against one other. It’s like a skin rash run amok! In this little photoplay, the government is trying to pass something called the “Anti-Hero Registration Act” meant to curb the doings of superheroes who have, on our behalf, rid the planet of evil-doers but, in the process, left cities desolate in their wake. It turns out us mere mortals just don’t understand what a hard job saving the world on a daily basis is. Some of our costumed crusaders are cool with the law; Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, and Spiderman to name a few. Others, however, are perfectly furious!; including Captain America, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man, and Winter Soldier. So these two groups fight a bunch of CGI battles with each other in (according to internet pre-reviews) parking lots around the globe.

I think the actual battle is going to be between the special effects department and the agents of this roster of movie stars—Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Daniel Brühl, William Hurt, Martin Freeman, Marisa Tomei, John Slattery, Alfre Woodard, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, John Slattery, and Hope Davis. It’s two-and-a-half hours long, which means that each of those actors will only get, on average, eight minutes screen time. Although, when I think about it, that still much be too much. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

Jay Presson Allen as Truman Capote. photo: Pittsburgh Public Theater.

2) There was a time when everybody knew who Truman Capote was. From the 1940s into the ‘70s—back when authors and other intellectuals could become superstar celebrities—Capote, a gifted writer, shined bright and then flamed out spectacularly. His stories and books (including Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood) sold big and stirred controversy. He was openly gay at a time when few dared. He was a Southern boy turned New York socialite; he partied with the rich and famous (including Andy Warhol); he dazzled the public with his wit on TV talk shows … and often alarmed the public, too, for he was slowly frying himself to death with drugs and alcohol. Jay Presson Allen’s play TRU, set in 1975, serves as both a chronicle of Capote’s heady life and a portrait of a man on the path to self-destruction. Pittsburgh Public Theater is staging TRU, a one-person show which draws from the author’s own writings and ramblings. 8 p.m. Performances through May 22. At the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (MV)

3) Cappy’s Cafe in Shadyside is holding a Team Trivia contest tonight with Trivia Master John. 9 – 11 p.m. Yuengling draft special is $3 for a 20 oz. brew. 5431 Walnut St.

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