City Theatre Company
Through December 13
Various times
You don’t need to trek to New York City to experience cutting-edge Off-Broadway theatre. Instead, catch the Pittsburgh premiere of the hit play, Sunset Baby, running at City Theatre‘s Hamburg Studio through December 13th.
Sunset Baby is the latest work from the award-winning writer and actress Dominique Morisseau—a two-time NAACP Image Award recipient who is acclaimed as one of the most vibrant young voices in contemporary American theatre.
Directing the play is Jade King Carroll, who recently served as associate director of the Broadway sensation, The Gin Game, starring Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones. Carroll previously directed works locally at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Audiences will meet Nina, a “smart and sexy hustler” from East New York, Brooklyn, whose parents were active in the country’s pivotal black liberation movement. Find out what ensues when Nina—whose mother is deceased—is confronted with the possibility of reconciling with her estranged father Kenyatta and must face all of the complexities that come along with rekindling their relationship.
Morisseau’s daring drama addresses issues surrounding fatherhood, family, liberation and generational ties.
For its Pittsburgh premiere, the play marks the debut of actors Joniece Abbott-Pratt, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Keith Randolph Smith. Helping to bring the story to life are Tony Ferrieri (scenic), Andrew David Ostrowski (lighting), Angela M. Vesco (costumes), Joe Pino (sound) and Calleri Casting (casting).
New for City Theatre this season are ancillary events co-presented with community partners including 1Hood Media, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Kente Arts Alliance, Vibrant Pittsburgh and The Alumni Theatre Company.
Through November 12th, audiences will be treated to pre-show discussions with City Theatre’s artistic staff. Don’t miss Sunday Talkbacks taking place on November 15th and 22nd, following the 2 p.m. performances, as well as the Pay What You Want and City Salons on November 21st and December 5th at 9 p.m. Explore the themes of Sunset Baby in more depth during the post-show discussion, “What We Do for Love: Black Mothers & Their Daughters,” co-hosted by 1Hood Media on December 2nd. A Greenroom Young Professionals Night featuring a post-show performance by Pittsburgh-based spoken word artist Leslie “Ezra” Smith will take place on December 4th.
Looking for more events? Read our 11 Pittsburgh events not to miss in November feature.
