A Taste: My Pittsburgh Bridal Shower

Will post more later, but for now, here's a small taste of the incredible Pittsburgh Bridal Shower that my bridesmaids and mom put together for me:

Tony Award Winner Clybourne Park at Pittsburgh Public Theater

Recently, my mom and I went down to the O'Reilly to check out Pittsburgh Public Theater's current show, Clybourne Park. After doing a little pre-game research, I discovered that that Clybourne Park picks up where A Raisin in the Sun left off, as a continuation and further exploration of racism in 1959 - and again in 2009. I personally think it's a more eloquent exploration and continuation of Avenue Q's "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist." But maybe that's just me.

Bruce Norris' play, directed here by Pamela Berlin, is both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner - and is the newest addition to Pittsburgh Public Theater's Made in America series, adding yet another dimension to the depth of this season. Clybourne Park has two acts: the first taking place in 1959, and the second in 2009. Same house, same neighborhood, fifty years time difference. This structure allows Norris to achieve great commentary - both funny and serious - about what it takes to create a flourishing community. 

Act One begins with a black family trying to move into the all-white Clybourne Park in 1959. The Neighborhood Association raises hell, fearing the worst in terms of what a black family would "do" to their pristine community. Did I mention they voice their concerns loudly, unabashedly, in front of black people? If you ever want to make an audience squirm on command, this is the formula that will succeed. Act Two mirrors the problems of Act One: flash forward fifty years, and the 2009 version of Clybourne Park has become a historically significant black neighborhood - a community in which a young, white couple have purchased (and plan to renovate) a home. The current community members aren't particularly pleased with the couple - or their plans.

There are only seven actors and fifteen characters in Clybourne Park - each actor plays dual roles from one act to another - and it works out wonderfully, and is just one of the ways the characters are connected from Act One to Act Two. Kudos to Brad Bellamy for his portrayal of Russ/Dan - my personal favorite in both Acts. I loved him in the first for his unwavering ethical stance despite fighting depression and -as a result - apathy. I loved him in the second for his comedic timing and complete physical transformation. The others were equally as strong in their personas - Bjorn DuPaty (Albert/Kevin), Megan Hill (Betsy/Lindsey), Tim McGeever (Karl/Steve), Jared McGuire (Jim/Tom/Kenneth), chandra thomas (Francine/Lena) and Lynne Wintersteller (Bev/Kathy) - all successfully transition into their respective characters from one act to the next - no easy feat, to change characters within one play.

The genius about setting up a play with two acts, taking place in the same house, fifty years apart, is it's juxtaposition: Norris can poignantly portray two opposing and truthful concepts: how interconnected a community is (even if its members don't realize), and how easily we allow our differences to impede our progress as a community - even as a society. How does he do this? Cleverly, hilariously, seriously, and, at times, with the uncomfortable truth. It forces us as the audience to do some serious internal analysis - what would we have done? said? in the fifties....what about three years ago? Would we share similar concerns? After the show was over, my mom and I had an at-length discussion about such things-  a conversation completely invoked by Clybourne Park.

In case you're curious, that's one of my criteria I use to judge a show: Did it make me think past curtain call, or was my mind already elsewhere as soon as the light flickered back on in the theater? I firmly believe a well-crafted play/musical stays with you, makes you do an internal examination, and - only the very very best of shows - inspire you to take action.

Just like a community, Clybourne Park - in both the fifties and present day - is all about the people. The mere seven characters on stage offer a variety of perspectives which shape the world - and the decade -of which they live. Through their rapport, we can see how far we've come as a society - and how far we've yet to go. 



Pittsburgh Public Theater's Clybourne Park runs until May 19. Get yours.

Pittsburgh Marathon: Perspective

So, it looks like I won't be running the Pittsburgh Half Marathon this year, even though I completed the training up to peak mileage, and despite taking precautions and following a training schedule, I can't run. This past week, after dealing with on-again off-again pain in my lower leg/foot, I woke up Monday morning with intense pain - so much so that I could barely put any pressure on it. After an emergency appointment with my doctor, I discovered I had strained/torn major ligaments and tendons in the area, which means if I run the half, my foot will likely collapse in on itself, and I'd need immediate reconstructive foot surgery.  As it is, even without the surgery, Doc has ordered at least no running for eight weeks, and some PT stat. Unfortunately, that is not a risk I'm willing to take. Not one week before my bridal shower, bachelorette party, and 2 months before my wedding. Dammit, I'd like to walk down the aisle and dance at my own wedding.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't devastated. A lot of sweat, blood, tears, and time went into preparing for the half. I'm heartbroken that I can't participate; especially in light of the recent tragedy at the Boston Marathon. I'm worried that I will lose the endurance I worked so hard to build. I feel like a wimp, and weak and pathetic. This would have been my third half, and my training had been going so well until about two weeks ago...and now this. I needed perspective.

I recalled this awe-inspiring story that I'd like to share. Pittsburgher Mike Bruno is a dad who is running the Pittsburgh Marathon this year. What makes him different from anyone else running the Pittsburgh Marathon? Mike Bruno is doing it blindfolded. There's a method to his madness. A quick visit to his website, 26-2blindfolded.com, explains his beautiful reason behind running blindfolded: his visually-impaired daughter, Cassie. On his website, Mike, ( a volleyball coach at Point Park University) explains:

" My intentions are to raise awareness and money for Vision Research ROPARD Foundation (VRRF).   More importantly,  I hope to gain a better understanding of what Cassie deals with on a daily basis.   I hope this blindfolded journey through the “Burgh”will ultimately make me a better father to guide Cassie through life."

This takes the perspective I've been searching for to a whole new level. Running the half - 13.1 miles - is challenging and amazing. Running a full marathon seems incredible. Running a full 26.2 miles blindfolded is unheard of. Somehow, somehow, Mike is still only at half of his fundraising goal. Can we change that? Reading Mike's story has given me the perspective I needed- and has even motivated me to get out and watch the Full-Marathoners go by Shadyside, where I will be cheering on Mike, and the rest of the full marathoners and relay runners. If Mike Bruno's mission and story doesn't provide perspective, I don't know what will. Runner of Steel, indeed.

Next Year.

Pittsburgh Dad Gives Directions

There aren't enough words in the English language for me to describe how accurate this Pittsburgh Dad video is. Chris Preksta and Curt Wootton have done it again. This is a spot-on example of how Pittsburghers give directions: by landmarks, around sporting events, and avoiding construction and the tunnel at all cost. Did I mention the rarity of hearing any kind of compass direction when asking a Pittsburgher for directions? The best you'll get is a time approximation of how long it will take you to get there. No north, or south, or east, or west for that matter. No 1-2 miles - but about 10 or 15 minutes. And if you're thinking that perhaps this is only how "Pittsburgh Dads" give directions, you'd be wrong. This is pretty much how everyone I know -- including me--gives directions.

 I hope you enjoy this Pittsburgh Dad ep as much as I did....and be officially forewarned of asking for directions in the 'Burgh:

So Good

There is overwhelmingly more good than evil in this world. Case in point: Superhero window-washers returned to Children's Hospital yesterday in Pittsburgh:

source: Children's Hospital twitter feed

How can you not smile when you see this? Great stuff, guys!

The Book of Mormon

Who went to see The Book of Mormon these past two weeks? I was lucky enough to see it the other Friday with Ford, and my parents, and can't say enough great things about it. I've been listening to the soundtrack non-stop for a week, and going strong. For about 95% of the show, the audience was laughing. Even Ford, who isn't what you would call a "theater person" was laughing throughout the show. Was it explicit? Yes. Was it completely different than anything that's toured in Pittsburgh previously? Yes. Was it amazingly entertaining and hilarious? YES. 

Honestly, what else do you expect in a musical that's a mash up between South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Avenue Q composer, Robert Lopez?  I'm sure there were a few audience members at the Benedum who were shocked and perhaps even offended. But they were in the vast minority. I'm going to make an educated guess that anyone in that minority purchased tickets to the show merely based on it's reputation of winning nine Tony Awards in 2011 (nominated for 14), very close to The Producers, who tops the chart with 12 Tony Awards. Tsk tsk. Should've done more research.

As far as the show I attended, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and trust me, I paid attention. I wanted to see how the Pittsburgh audience reacted to the edgy content,subtle (and not so subtle) parodies, and profanities. I'm proud to say we received it with standing ovations and doubling-over laughing. I hope this is a turning point in theater for Pittsburgh; that production companies and organizations, both big and small, won't be afraid to bring musicals that aren't typical or traditional. Sure, they can still bring their Lion King, Miss Saigon, and Jesus Christ Superstars every couple of years. But in the mix, hopefully they'll feel confident spicing it up a bit - without worrying that ticket sales might decline. I think Pittsburghers' embrace of The Book of Mormon proves that, although we love our tradition, we're open minded enough to appreciate all sorts of art at it's finest. And (at least according to me and NYT critic Ben Brantley) The Book of Mormon is one of the finest - for musical lovers like me (and hopefully many more) it's "heaven on earth."

Boston Marathon: The Helpers

The next morning, it's still hard for me to process what happened yesterday afternoon in Boston. I didn't know anyone running, and I haven't run in the Boston Marathon before. Yet, I feel such pain for those who are in such pain. Running is so pure and organic, and this couldn't be further from that. 

The authorities still don't know who committed these heinous acts. I hope they find the person(s) involved eventually, but right now, it seems (to me) for the better at the moment. If they knew who was responsible, the media coverage would be nothing but that person's face, history, background, etc. We wouldn't know anything about the people who were helping.  But the pathetic excuse for a human(s) who holds responsibility is faceless, and that gives way to the bright, shining, faces of the people who were helping. The heroes who ran towards the carnage rather than away from it, the runners who - after running 26 miles, kept running to the nearest hospital to give blood, the marathon assistant (likely a volunteer) who helped a 78 year old man who was struck down, get up and walk across that finish line. As Mister Rogers famously refers to them, the helpers. Thanks to Fred Rogers' kind words, I (and I hope the rest of you join me), will always look for the people who are helping.