‘Pyramid Builders’ Onstage at Pittsburgh Playwrights (Thurs., 4/20/23)

PYRAMID BUILDERS by Karuna Das. Pittsburgh Playwrights, Through April 30.

A world premiere, directed by Bianca LaVerne Jones, Pyramid Builders comes to life on Pittsburgh Playwrights’ new stage in the Hill District. Just like the epic work of those for whom the play’s title is drawn, Karuna Das’ adventure promises epic discoveries in resolving the complex dilemmas of the human struggle. Tribalism, war, climate crisis, and white supremacy are just a few of the issues to be parsed in dramatic form. The story follows the journey of a corporate executive who has a chance encounter with a homeless teenager. Both women realize they have each endured similar childhood trauma; one must work to heal the other. Twenty-four years later, amidst a dystopian world of civil war and famine, a parallel struggle ensues between an orphaned teenager and a Black Lives activist. Together, they, too, must learn from each other how to win life’s battle. Karuna Das, whose pen name is Sanskrit for “servant of compassion,” earned a PhD in Theatre and Dramaturgy from Florida State University and an MFA in playwriting from the University of Washington in Seattle. Das will host a Q & A after each Sunday matinee. 8 p.m. Pittsburgh Playwrights’ new theater is at 3401 Milwaukee St., Hill District, in the former Madison Elementary School. (C.P.O.)

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