Pittsburgh Playwrights has Italian Company Performing ‘Jitney’; Julia Productions Opens Shakespeare’s R&J’ at City, Pittonkatonk At Schenley (Fri., 5/8/26)

AUGUST WILSON’S JITNEY, IN ITALIAN.  International touring production at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company. May 8 – 10.

1) Lest any devout Pittsburgher should think that August Wilson or his American Century Cycle of Pulitzer-winning plays or Denzel Washington’s campaign to film more of Wilson’s works for the big screen is known only in America’s cultural centers, here comes Italy to set things straight.  August Wilson’s Jitney, in Italian is just what it claims to be: Wilson’s great characters speak Italian and act Italian because the actors are Italian. But the production promises to be so much more.  Sure, there will be English translations projected on stage and the set will be a minimalist’s representation of Becker’s Pittsburgh dispatch office, yet what will come alive are cultural differences, offensive language, threatening gestures, and conflict resolutions that are grounded far outside Wilson’s original world. This touring production from Sardegna Teatro and La Piccionaia is performed by an African-Italian ensemble and directed by Renzo Carbonero.

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company offers this rare opportunity to see the depths of Pittsburgh’s past through modern Italian eyes.  10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Madison Arts and Entertainment Center, 3401 Milwaukee St., Upper Hill/Schenley Heights. (C.P.O.)

SHAKESPEARE’S R&J  by Joe Calarco.  Julia Production at City Theatre. May 8 – 10.

2) Four nameless students, all boys, attend an elite boarding school that imposes strict rules. So rigid is the education that certain classic literature, even Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is forbidden. And so the boys make a pact to read it—maybe even act it out—in secret defiance of the school’s authority. Boys will be boys; that is, in certain social circles, they’re rebellious, homophobic, daring, introverted, distrustful, and sexually curious, especially when left to their own devices. Joe Calarico’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of love gone tragically wrong comes to City Theatre’s mainstage under the auspices of Julia Production, whose principals are each associated with the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University. So, too, is the director, J. Cody Spellman. 7:30 p.m. 1300 Bingham St., South Side. (C.P.O.)

3) Pittonkatonk is a fun-ky music festival featuring mainly brass bands from near and far. It’s held every year at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion at Schenley Park. Bands slated to perform include: Yeison Landero, , Undertow Brass Band (Prov/FKA What Cheer? Brigade), Detroit Party Marching Band, Mariposas Galacticas, Timbeleza, Eagleburger Band, May Day Marching Band, and The Krunk Movement.Food and beer/drink trucks, and other vendors will also be on hand. This will be the 12th year for Pittonkatonk, an environmentally friendly music festival. 7 to 10 p.m. today and 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. tomorrow. Free.

Share on Social Media