Mötley Crüe and Tesla Play Star Lake; Independent Productions’ Danny and the Deep Blue Sea’ at Cathedral of Learning (Fri., 7/17/26)

1) Mötley Crüe’s “Girls, Girls, Girls,” and “Home Sweet Home“ are some of the top hits generated by the group. The Crüe, one of the best-selling bands of all time, was formed in Los Angles in 1981 by Tommy Lee (drummer) and Nikki Sixx (bass). The band also includes John 5 (lead guitar) and Vince Neil (lead vocals). Mötley Crüe is known for living the rock ‘n roll lifestyle to the extreme. Tommy Lee was married to Pamela Anderson of “Baywatch” TV fame for a few years, even starring in a short film with her. A few years back it looked like the band was in its final phase, but they have been reinvigorated and continue to rock on. Mötley Crüe’s tour this year is titled Return to the Carnival of Sins, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Carnival of Sins tour, and includes new sets and stage effects. Better yet, the Crüe is visiting The Pavilion at Star Lake along with another great band, Tesla. 

Tesla formed in Sacramento, California, in the 1980s and was originally called City Kidd. However, their manager didn’t like the name, plus there was already a band with that name, so they found inspiration from inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. The band really hit its stride in the early ’90s with a tight group, the rich vocals of Jeff Keith, and the ability to craft some popular power ballads. Breaking up in 1996 and reuniting in 2000, the band remains popular and continues to create new works. Tesla is set to release its first album in seven years, Homage, on July 17. This will add to the current tally of having sold over 25 million albums. Tesla’s best known songs include “Love Song,” “What You Give,” and “Signs.” Extreme opens for Mötley Crüe and Tesla, with one dollar of each ticket donated to ASAP! (the After School Arts Program). 6:30 p.m. 665 PA Rte. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H.)

Tesla performing in Poughkeepsie, New York in 2009. (photo: LindaLisa and Wikipedia).

Danny and the Deep Blue Sea by John Patrick Shanley. July 16, 17, 18, and 19

2) John Patrick Shanley’s Danny and The Deep Blue Sea was only the second of 27 plays for which the playwright has been recognized in a career of enviable success. The story comes from a casual bar encounter between one man and a woman who find a remarkable path to reconciliation despite never having met before. Danny, the male, is prone to violence while Roberta reveals she has an estranged son who is being raised by her parents (for reasons we eagerly await to learn).  When the lengthy one-act play (84 minutes) first premiered Off-Broadway at Circle in the Square in 1983, it starred John Turturro and June Stein. Turturro won the Obie and Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Performance.

Danny and The Deep Blue Sea is now on stage at the Rauh Studio Theater in the Cathedral of Learning for five performances this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Featuring Michael Patrick Trimm and Shannon Donovan, and directed by Kelly Trumbull, this riveting encounter of dramatic psyche might give you hints of Shanley’s more decorous stage and film adventures. He is the playwright/screenwriter who brought us Moonstruck starring Cher, Doubt starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep, Joe Versus The Volcano starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan and, most recently, Wild Mountain Thyme starring Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan. Pitt’s Rauh Studio Theater is at 4200 Fifth Avenue in the Cathedral of Learning.  

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