Attack Theatre’s ‘Some Assembly Required’ at Warhol; McKeesport Little Theater Has ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’ (Fri., 9/13/19)

Comedy troupes do improv based on audience input; dance companies, not so much. But Attack Theatre does, in its long-popular ‘Some Assembly Required.’ (photo © Martha Rial)

1) If you have opinions about Andy Warhol, here is your chance to see them expressed in dance. Attack Theatre, the company that never dances defensively, brings a classic show from its repertoire to a spectacular venue. Some Assembly Required is an improvised, interactive piece done in museums and galleries where visual art is on display. Attack’s dancers begin by dancing briefly to live music; then they join the audience to view and talk about certain artworks. This leads to a second dance inspired by people’s reactions, so that each performance is unique. Attack Theatre has performed the piece at venues from Carnegie Museum of Art, which commissioned it in 1995, to the famous Avignon Festival in France. This year, Some Assembly Required inhabits The Andy Warhol Museum. Better yet, each show is pay-what-you-want. Online reservations are strongly urged. Attack dancers for the event are Simon Phillips, Dane Toney, and Sarah Zielinski, with percussion music by PJ Roduta. 6 p.m. tonight and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. tomorrow. The Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky St., North Side. (MV)

2) McKeesport Little Theater, the company with the oddly cool slogan—”Because anyone can watch a movie!”—performs a musical for anyone who has read comic strips. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown began as a 1966 concept album, when composer Clark Gesner wrote a series of songs based on characters from Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic. The album was a hoot, with actors such as Orson Bean (no relation to Orson Welles) voicing Charlie. Gesner was urged to build it into a stage musical, which he did, and the rest is history. McKeesport Little Theater is doing the 1999 Broadway revival version that includes additional material by Andrew Lippa and Michael Mayer. Songs include Linus’ “My Blanket and Me,” Lucy and Charlie’s “The Doctor Is In,” Schroeder’s “Beethoven Day,” and more.  Performances continue through September 29. 1614 Coursin St., McKeesport.  (MV)

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