Announcing Stage Directors for Our 80th Season!

Posted on March 16, 2017

We are pleased to announce our stage directors for both of our productions next season!

H.M.S Pinafore (Oct. 13-15 & 19-22, 2017)

Music Director: Guy Russo
Stage Director: Shane Valenzi

H.M.S. Pinafore audition dates are Wed. May 31 and Mon. June 5, both from 7:30pm to 9pm at Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church
1000 Lindsay Rd Carnegie, PA 15106

The Grand Duke (Spring 2018 – Show Dates TBA)

Music Director: Guy Russo
Stage Director: Robert Hockenberry

More info about the spring 2018 production to follow.

Posted in 2017, 2018, Auditions, HMS Pinafore, Performances, The Grand Duke | Comments Off

Reviews of the First Weekend Are In!

Posted on March 6, 2017

We had a successful opening weekend of “Patience” a few days ago! We had some press from Popular Pittsburgh and Pgh in the Round in attendance, and both wrote positive reviews about what they saw onstage!

“Presented in the intimate Andrew Carnegie Free Library Music Hall, Pittsburgh’s oldest theater company gave the opening night audience a first class theater experience. Complete with music from their 20 piece professional orchestra and despite a few opening night glitches, Director Robert Hockenberry gave us a production that showcased the acting and singing talents of his large ensemble. As a result, this theatergoer’s appreciation of live theater in its many forms continues to grow.”
– Popular Pittsburgh

“The Savoyards show off some excellent Pittsburgh area talent. Some standouts from Saturday night’s performance were Sarah McCullough as Patience with a nice balance of naivety and wisdom along with a nice voice. Michael Greenstein was perfect as the fleshy and pretentious Reginald Bunthorne with a great sense of physical comedy and timing. Deborah Greenstein as Lady Jane singing Sad is a Woman’s Lot drew lots of sympathy and laughs from the women in the audience. Zachary Wood shows off his performance experience and vocal training as Archibald Grosvenor.

A good measure of any company’s production is noticing the pleasure the actors have in their performance, in other words, are they having fun and enjoying their craft. By that measure and the mission to expose the operas of Gilbert & Sullivan to contemporary audiences, this show is a success and worth of the opportunity to see one of their lesser-known works.”
– Pgh in the Round

Read the full review from Popular Pittsburgh here and Pgh in the Round here!

“Patience” runs for another weekend, Mar. 9-12, at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie.

Posted in 2017, Patience, Performances, Reviews | Comments Off

Thurs. March 9 Performance Supertitles for Hearing Impaired

Posted on March 4, 2017

Our Thursday night performance of “Patience” will cater to hearing impaired theatergoers who wish to attend our show! Above the stage will be supertitles that will allow people to follow the story by reading them above the stage!

Posted in 2017, Accessibility, Patience, Performances | Comments Off

Savoyards At the Saturday Light Brigade!

Posted on March 4, 2017

On Saturday Feb. 25 Director Rob Hockenberry, Assistant Director Andy Hickly, and Production Manager Lynette Garlan went on air with some of the “Patience” cast to talk with Larry Berger from the Saturday Light Brigade. Cast members gave a live sneak preview of select pieces from “Patience.” Special thanks to Larry and his crew for having us!

Get to know some of our members and click the link here to listen to a recording of our time on the radio!

Save

Posted in 2017, Media, Patience | Comments Off

The Pittsburgh Savoyards Now a RAD Asset!

Posted on February 15, 2017

We are pleased to announce that the Pittsburgh Savoyards are now an asset of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD)! Support from this organization will help us to continue to have the resources we need to put on great productions for years to come!

The purpose of RAD is to provide public funding for art, library, performance and other such organizations from sales tax dollars to promote our District’s regional assets. We are proud to be selected to be a part of your District.

According to their website, “since 1995, the 1% County Sales tax paid by residents of and visitors to Allegheny County has resulted in a $3.4 billion investment in the region (through 2016).”

You can check out all the ways the Allegheny Regional Asset District serves the Arts in our community by following this link to their website!

Posted in 2017, Internal | Comments Off

Now Accepting Stage Director Applications for Fall 2017 – H.M.S. Pinafore

Posted on February 2, 2017

We are now accepting applications for Stage Director for our fall 2017 production, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore.” The operetta will run Oct. 14-16 and 19-22. Resumes and Letters accepted through Friday, March 8, 2017. Interviews to be held Saturday, March 11, 2017 by appointment.

Gilbert & Sullivan or other Operetta experience preferred. Send letters of interest, resumes (MS-WORD; PDF; or Text) and contact information to:

directorsearch@pittsburghsavoyards.org

Or mail to:

DIRECTOR SEARCH – HMS PINAFORE
Pittsburgh Savoyards
P.O. Box 44065
Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4065

For additional information or inquiries, email directorsearch@pittsburghsavoyards.org or call 412-734-8476 to leave voice mail.

Posted in 2017, Auditions, HMS Pinafore | Comments Off

“Patience” Opening Weekend Festivities Planned!

Posted on February 2, 2017

Opening night for “Patience” is drawing closer! Don’t forget about the special things we have going on after our March 3 opening night and our March 5 matinee:

All attendees of our March 3 opening night performance are invited to celebrate with the cast, orchestra, crew, production staff, and Board of Trustees at the annual opening night reception immediately following curtain call. The reception will take place in the Lincoln Gallery upstairs from the music hall. Join us for what is always a great night of food, wine, and fun!

Attendees who stay for a little while after our 2:30pm matinee on March 5 will be treated to a short talk-back event where audience members have the opportunity to ask questions and speak with select members of our cast, orchestra, and production staff. Get to know us a little better! We love to get to know you!

“Patience” runs March 3-5 and 9-12, 2017. Most roles are double cast. Tickets can be bought online via our Showclix page or at the door. Those who buy their tickets by March 1 take advantage of our early bird discount. See you at the show!

Posted in 2017, Patience, Performances, Special Events | Comments Off

Third Annual Winter Warmer – Bunthorne’s Beatnik Bongo Bash!

Posted on December 18, 2016

Join us in January for our third annual winter warmer event! With “Patience” coming up just a few months after, this year’s event will be “Patience”-themed, meaning POETRY! Bunthorne’s Beatnik Bongo Bash will be held January 21, 2017 from 4pm to 9pm. Poetic festivities will take place in the Lincoln Gallery at Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall (the same room where we hold our opening night reception when the show opens). Tickets are $25 and can be bought in advance or at the door.

Bunthorne may be a “poet” in the time of Victorian Aestheticism, but we are bringing to life another time quite similar to the day of the “aesthetic:” The 1960s beatnik era! This fun and informal gathering is a great opportunity to meet and socialize over food and drink with all the Savoyards you love to come and see. Other fun things include Gilbert and Sullivan karaoke, string music from the Lost Chord Trio, and raffles!

And of course what kind of poetry-themed party would this be if there wasn’t some sort of poetry event? We’re also holding a poetry contest for all you poets out there, so don’t forget your best work, and tell your poet friends to enter their work as well!

See you then! Any questions? contact us via email at information@pittsburghsavoyards.org.

Posted in 2017, Special Events | Comments Off

Giving Tuesday – November 29!!

Posted on November 23, 2016

November 29 is #GivingTuesday! It’s a day to support your favorite non-profits (like us!).

You can use today as an opportunity to support the Pittsburgh Savoyards in our mission to perpetuate the heritage of Gilbert & Sullivan and provide a hands-on opportunity for interested persons to learn about and experience musical theatre. The Pittsburgh Savoyards are a 501 C3 (not-for-profit) organization, making your donation tax deductible. Simply click the button below to get started with your credit card or Paypal account:

Alternatively, we are also happy to accept donations by check. You can mail your donations to the address below! Be sure to include your return address so that we can send you recognition of your donation suitable for your tax records.

Pittsburgh Savoyards
P.O. Box 44065
Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4065

Thank you for your support!

Posted in 2016, Donations | Comments Off

Stage and Vocal Auditions for Patience

Posted on November 10, 2016

Audition to be a part of our Spring 2017 production – Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience. With music director Guy Russo, stage director Rob Hockenberry, and assistant stage director Andy Hickly. We will be auditioning for lead and ensemble roles.

Monday, November 28, 2016 from 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm
Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm

Location:

Our Lady of Victory Church Auditorium
1000 Lindsay Road, Carnegie, PA 15106

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.

No Appointment is necessary; auditions will be conducted in order of arrival.

We now have a digitally fillable audition form. Please fill it out ahead of time and email it to auditions@pittsburghsavoyards.org. Please also bring a printed-out copy if possible, especially if you email it to us on the same day that you’re auditioning (we need a hard-copy for reference at the audition). In case you’re unable to fill out a form ahead of time, forms will also be available on-site to fill out by hand.

Please bring:

Sheet music for our accompanist (and a second copy for yourself if not memorized).
A printout of your audition form (see above).
Resume and head-shot, if available.

Contact

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

Posted in 2017, Auditions, Patience | Comments Off