Paradox Pirate Party: a Leap Year Birthday Benefit!

Come celebrate the birthday of Frederic, the slave of duty from Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance! Frederic was born on Leap Day and as such only has a birthday every 4 years.  He’s looking pretty rough for only having had about 40 birthdays, so come celebrate while we can! An evening of pirate and seafaring performances from G&S to classic sea shanties with stops to improv and games along the way, our winter fundraiser will be a beacon of joy in these cold winter weeks!

Come and hear pirate songs, sea shanties, and songs of the sea with some Pirates of the Caribbean thrown in.  There will be songs from Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore and other G&S favorites.  Sing along if you like!  There will also be games and prizes.  Join in the fun!  February 29 sees the arrival of the Pirate Ship Cake! March 1 will be Pirate Hat night – wear your own or if you don’t have one, wear one of our free pirate hats.  March 2 is pirate sword night – get your free pirate sword (plastic – sorry no metal allowed).

The event will take place each night at 7:30pm from Thursday February 29 thru Saturday March 2 at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20 online or at the door.

Get tickets here

Featuring the talents of Todd Foose, Katie Kirby, Michele Gray-Shaffer, Brienne Sharo, Myles Zuckerman, Guy Russo, Deborah Geary, Sean Lenhart, Alex Aks, Liz Rishel, Logan Newman, Sarah Deasey, Wendy Parkulo, Nicholas Graef, Zhen Yu Ding, Tamara Marlise Manzetti, Inara Manzetti, Leslie Clark, Robert Hockenberry, Joshua Schreiber, Denise Allen, Joshua Berkey and others.

Also featuring members of the Pittsburgh Savoyards orchestra: Fonda Hollenbaugh, Mary Bragdon, James Rumbaugh, Cyd Pennington. Brass ensemble –  Melissa Corso, Lynette Garlan, Joel Greenberger, Erik Lahti, Darcy Lyle,  Bob Patterson, Tim Yee.  With Edward Leonard on piano.

Performers will vary per performance.

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Hail Comedy 3: Improv Strikes Back!

Ring in the new year with another hilarious night of improv! Some of the best improv performers in the city will join the Savoyards for two great nights!

Join the Select Start team (nominated by City Paper for best comedians in Pittsburgh) for a night of fun and fast-paced short-form improv comedy. Audiences will inspire the performers in interactive games and scenes throughout the show and see their suggestions turn into laughs!

Performances are January 19 & 20 at 7:30pm at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Bellevue, PA. All tickets are just $15. Get tickets here.

Featuring Christa Brook, Bev Conrique, Sean Cooper, Steve Deutsch, Stefanie Gee, Brendan Macdonald, Sharief McDougle, Christina Powers, and Morgan Shulski, with special guests Kate Miller and Chelsea Schneider. Coached by Beth Geatches and Matty Frances.

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Auditions for Sleeping Beauty 2024

Audition to be a part of our spring 2024 production – the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, running from May 3rd through May 11th 2024 with director Andy Hickly. Auditions are available in-person through our online audition form (see below).

We believe in and strive for inclusion, diversity, and representation in casting and encourage actors of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types to audition.

In-person auditions:

Wednesday, February 28th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and
Saturday, March 2nd from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Location:

The Pittsburgh Savoyards (Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center)
523 Lincoln Ave, Bellevue, PA 15202

Before your audition:

Please prepare a monologue of no longer than 2 minutes. Cold readings will also be available.

Please fill out our digital audition form ahead of time and be sure to indicate which time slot or slots you are available. We will compile the responses into a final schedule and contact you about your scheduled audition time. Walk-ups are also welcome if time allows.

Please bring:

  • Resume and head-shot, if available.

Available Roles

Rose — the Sleeping Beauty, a princess under a curse, late teens-early thirties
Princeling — a happy-go-lucky youth, late teens-early thirties.
The Good Fairy — Rose’s sweet and silly godmother, age 16+.
The Wicked Fairy — the Good Fairy’s malevolent sister, age 16+.
The King — Rose’s grumpy, but well-intentioned father, age 40+.
The Queen — Rose’s prim and proper mother, age 40+.
3 ensemble men to play suitors, heralds, and guards, age 16+.
3 ensemble women to play court ladies and monsters, age 16+.

Contact

For questions about auditions, email auditions@pittsburghsavoyards.org or call: 412-734-8476 (voice mail).

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Auditions for Pride and Prejudice 2024

Audition to be a part of our late winter 2024 production – Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, running from February 9th through February 24th 2024 with director Marsha Mayhak. Auditions are available in-person through our online audition form (see below).

We believe in and strive for inclusion, diversity, and representation in casting and encourage actors of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types to audition.

In-person auditions:

Saturday, December 9th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, and
Sunday, December 10th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm

Location:

The Pittsburgh Savoyards (Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center)
523 Lincoln Ave, Bellevue, PA 15202

Before your audition:

Please prepare a monologue of no longer than 2 minutes.

Please fill out our digital audition form ahead of time and be sure to indicate which time slot or slots you are available. We will compile the responses into a final schedule and contact you about your scheduled audition time. Walk-ups are also welcome if time allows.

Please bring:

  • Resume and head-shot, if available.

Available Roles

Elizabeth Bennet
Mrs. Bennet/Lady Catherine DeBourgh
Mr. Bennet
Jane Bennet
Mary Bennet/Charlotte Lucas
Kitty Bennet/Caroline Bingley
Lydia Bennet
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Charles Bingley
William Collins/George Wickham

Contact

For questions about auditions, email auditions@pittsburghsavoyards.org or call: 412-734-8476 (voice mail).

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Burgh Goes Bump In The Night! Or Horrific Horror Happenings for Highly Hip and Happy Humans

Join the Savoyards at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Bellevue for an evening of REAL ghost stories from the tri state area! 16 stories of hauntings, creatures, and all sorts of eerie happenings to get you in the spooky mood. Chocolate prizes for those who can guess where each story takes place! Can you spot the one fake?

Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Tickets only $15.

Tarot card readings will begin at 7pm, show starts at 7:30. Tarot card readings are for entertainment purposes only.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

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Auditions for Amahl and the Night Visitors & The Gift of the Magi 2023

Audition to be a part of our Winter 2023 production – Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, paired with O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi the musical, running from December 1st through December 16th 2023 with director Robert Hockenberry and music director Guy Russo. Auditions are available in-person through our online audition form (see below).

We believe in and strive for inclusion, diversity, and representation in casting and encourage actors of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types to audition.

In-person auditions:

Monday, October 16th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and
Saturday, October 21st from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Location:

The Pittsburgh Savoyards (Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center)
523 Lincoln Ave, Bellevue, PA 15202


Before your audition:

Prepare no more than two minutes of a song that best showcases your voice. Opera (in English), Operetta, or more Traditional (not pop) Broadway recommended.

You may also be asked to do a cold reading or short dance combo (for those interested in the Dancing Shepherd role).

Please fill out our digital audition form ahead of time and be sure to indicate which time slot or slots you are available. We will compile the responses into a final schedule and contact you about your scheduled audition time. Walk ups will be seen if time allows.

Please bring:

  • Sheet music for our accompanist (and a second copy for yourself if not memorized).
  • Resume and head-shot, if available.

Available Roles

Amahl and the Night Visitors
Amahl – Boy Soprano, age 8-13. Disabled boy.
Mother – Soprano, age 25-50. Poor widow.
King Kaspar – Tenor, age 18 & up. Childlike and partly deaf.
King Melchior – Bass Baritone, age 18 & up. Compassionate.
King Balthazar – Bass, age 18 & up. Academic.
The Page – Tenor, age 30 & up.
Dancing Shepherd
Chorus of villagers and shepherds

The Gift of the Magi
Jim Young – Tenor, age 20-35. Newlywed banker.
Della Young – Soprano, age 20-35. Newlywed homemaker.
Norah Greenway – Soprano, age 18-30. Actress with a past.
Brady Greenway – Tenor, age 7-12. Child with limp.
Irving Lorrison – Baritone, age 20-40. Former gambler.
Bridget Dempsey – Mezzo, age 40-60. Irish landlady.
Katy Dempsey – Mezzo, age 26. Single girl.
Peggy Dempsey, non-singing, age 7-12. Troublemaker.
Soapy Smith – non-singing, any age. Happy hobo.
Officer Lawrence O’Roon – non-singing, any age. Police officer.
Etcetera Jones – non-singing, any age. A jack of all trades.
Reverend Regan – non-singing, age 40-60. A local pastor.
Chorus of New Yorkers and Carolers

Contact

For questions about auditions, email auditions@pittsburghsavoyards.org or call: 412-734-8476 (voice mail).

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RAD Days 2023: FREE Iolanthe Tech Performance

Join the Savoyards and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) for a totally FREE preview performance of our fall 2023 show, Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe! Come see the Fairy Queen and her fairies battle the peers of the House of Lords in a technical rehearsal and understudy run. Experience the rehearsal process with our cast, crew and orchestra!

This performance is 100% free and open to all as part of 2023 RAD Days in Allegheny County. The performance will take place on October 9, 2023 from 7:30pm until approximately 10pm at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, PA.

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Hail Comedy 2! The Savoyards do improv again!

Chase away those end of summer blues with another hilarious night of improv! Some of the best improv peeps in the city will join the Savoyards for two great nights!

Join the Select Start team (nominated by City Paper for best comedians in Pittsburgh!) for a night of fun and fast-paced short-form improv comedy. Audiences will inspire the performers in interactive games and scenes throughout the show and see their suggestions turn into laughs!

Performances are August 11 & 12 at 7:30pm at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Bellevue, PA. All tickets are just $15. Get tickets here.

Featuring Bev Conrique, Stefanie Gee, Sean Hunt, Christa Lerch, Brendan Macdonald, Sharief McDougle, and Christina Powers. Coached by Beth Geatches and Matty Frances.

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Stage and Vocal Auditions for Iolanthe 2023

Audition to be a part of our Fall 2023 production – Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe, or: The Peer and the Peri, running from October 13-22. With music director Guy Russo and stage director Michael McFaden. We will be auditioning for lead and ensemble roles. Auditions are available in-person or via video submission through our online audition form.

We believe in and strive for inclusion, diversity, and representation in casting and encourage actors of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types to audition.

In-person auditions:

Saturday, June 10th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, and
Wednesday, June 14th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (please see the form below)

Location:

The Pittsburgh Savoyards (Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center)
523 Lincoln Ave, Bellevue, PA 15202

Before your audition:

Prepare no more than two minutes of a song that best showcases your voice. Opera (in English), Operetta, or more Traditional (not pop) Broadway recommended.

You may also be asked to do a cold reading.

Please fill out our digital audition form ahead of time and be sure to indicate which time slot or slots you are available. We will compile the responses into a final schedule and contact you about your scheduled audition time.

Please bring:

  • Sheet music for our accompanist (and a second copy for yourself if not memorized).
  • Resume and head-shot, if available.

Virtual auditions:

Prepare no more than two minutes of a song that best showcases your voice. Opera (in English), Operetta, or more Traditional (not pop) Broadway recommended. You can use an app like Appcompanist (available on iOS and Android) to assist you in your recording.

Please fill out our digital audition form. Time slot is not necessary for virtual auditions. Be sure to include:

  • Your resume and head-shot, if available.
  • Your audition video, submitted in one of the ways indicated on the form.

Contact

For questions about auditions, email auditions@pittsburghsavoyards.org or call: 412-734-8476 (voice mail).

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Announcing our 86th Season!

We are proud to announce our 86th season, where we will bring you five shows for the first time in our history! Interested in seeing all our shows for a discounted rate? We are offering season passes that include all five shows plus a ticket to one of our special events (see below) for just $75 (a savings of $25)!

Click Here to Purchase a Season Pass (available through July 29, 2023)

 

July 14-29 2023 at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center, Bellevue, PA
Directed by Andy Kirtland

In 18th century Venice, a hungry servant named Truffaldino who, upon realizing that working for two masters could ensure him a greater supply of food, tries to do the job of two men while working desperately to conceal that fact from both employers. Chaos ensues as Truffaldino attempts to serve dinner to both his masters’ companies at the same time, without either group finding out (and desperately trying to have his own dinner as well!). The Servant of Two Masters has a hilariously zany plot featuring lost love, mistaken identity, ravenous servants, and lots of letter mix-ups.

Tickets for The Servant of Two Masters

 

October 13-22 2023 at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, Carnegie, PA
Stage Director Michael McFaden, Music Director Guy Russo

Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe, or: The Peer and the Peri (originally produced 1882) presents a conflict between two very different worlds. On one hand, we have the world of the immortal fairies – all female, somewhat trippy and chaotic, and ruled by a queen; on the other, we have the world of British parliamentary peers – all male, stodgy and precise, and subject to the law as interpreted by the Lord Chancellor. The operetta presents a political satire wrapped around a love story: the fairy Iolanthe’s half-human son Strephon loves the Lord Chancellor’s ward Phyllis, but the Lord Chancellor wishes to marry her to a peer – namely himself. The fairies come to Strephon’s aid, install him in parliament, and cast a spell on the other members of parliament to make them pass any law Strephon proposes. Along the way we get any number of satirical digs at the British system of law and government (lampooning, among other things, the intellectual fitness of members of the House of Lords and the honesty and honorableness of lawyers).

Tickets for Iolanthe

 

December 1-16 2023 at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center, Bellevue, PA
Directed by Robert Hockenberry (Music Director for Amahl and the Night Visitors: Guy Russo)

Amahl and the Night Visitors is a one-act opera that tells the story of a crippled shepherd boy named Amahl, who offers his crutch as a present to the Christ child, is healed and joins the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. It was originally commissioned by NBC and was the first opera specifically composed for television in the US.

The Gift of the Magi, based on the short story by O. Henry, concerns James and Della Dillingham Young, a young couple who, despite their poverty, individually resolve to give each other an elegant gift on Christmas Eve.

Tickets for Amahl and the Night Visitors & The Gift of the Magi

 

February 9-24 2024 at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center, Bellevue, PA
Adapted and Directed by Marsha Mayhak

Pride and Prejudice, the classic story by Jane Austen, follows the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They must overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice in order to fall in love and marry.

Tickets for Pride and Prejudice

 

May 3-11 2024 at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center, Bellevue, PA
Adapted and Directed by Andy Hickly

Sleeping Beauty is the classic fairy tale of a princess who is cursed and can only be saved by true love. Her family is powerless to prevent the curse from taking place, and instead must rely on the princess being found by a prince. This adaptation is perfect for children of all ages and adults too!

Tickets for Sleeping Beauty

 

Special Events

In addition to our five main shows, we will also be periodically offering special events throughout the season. These events include improv nights, haunted Halloween stories, magic shows, and more! Finalized details of our special events will be announced at a later date.

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