While artificial intelligence can cause some folks to feel anxious, frustrated and a host of other emotions, Phil Beard has found humor.
The Aspinwall writer and director has taken the thought of a chatbot as his muse for the upcoming Fox Chapel Follies’ show, “ChapGPT.”
Crafted in the spring and still in rehearsal, it’s a musical tour through Fox Chapel and the Pittsburgh area with the help of an AI assistant.
“With the Follies, there’s never a really defined story,” Beard said during practice Oct. 30. “The story really just links the songs that I’ve written. … The show just pokes fun of life in this area.”
Scenes include a real estate agency attempting to use the technology for more specified home listings and an older man seeing whether it can help spice up his second marriage.
Songs include “Ozempic” sung to the tune of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”
It’s about Fox Chapel folks using the popular drug for weight loss instead of its intended diabetic use.
The name of the show and its star AI is a combination of ChatGPT, an interactive, large language model from OpenAI, and a nickname of Fox Chapel youths.
“It was such an obvious title,” Beard said. “Kids who grew up in Fox Chapel, if they go to Fox Chapel (Area) High School like I did, kids who aren’t from Fox Chapel call you ‘Chappies,’ and they make fun of you for living in Fox Chapel.”
Beard, a 1981 graduate and novelist, said the performers are all volunteers with different skill sets.
“We always joke that our talent level ranges from zero to substantial,” Beard said. “We have a very wide range of talents in the cast. We have a very wide range of ages in the cast. We have people in their 30s to people in their 80s in the cast. It’s a true cross-section of the community.”
The show is designed to give people a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and election season.
“This show is all about bringing the community together to laugh,” Beard said. “No talk about elections or differences or conflicts. It’s all about bringing the community together to laugh at themselves and at each other.
“It’s always a mess at this point (weeks before a show), but it always comes together at the end. We’ll be ready for opening night.”
Opening night of a six-day performance is Nov. 14 at the Pittsburgh Field Club.
Admission includes dinner and the show.
Fox Chapel Follies is not just about entertainment. It also is about raising money for various Fox Chapel-area nonprofits and organizations.
Presented by The District Association of the Fox Chapel Area, the Follies takes the stage every three years.
Funds raised from the performances are distributed until the next show. The last performance netted $115,000, of which $25,000 was donated to Cooper-Siegel Community Library in the heart of the borough.
Other recipients include the Aspinwall Chamber of Commerce for its Fall in the Wall festival, Blawnox Community Garden, Allegheny RiverTrail Park, Camp Guyasuta Boy Scouts and the Lauri Ann West Community Center.
“We cover all of the boroughs and townships in the school district,” said Courtney Myhrum, association board president. “The Follies are our main fundraiser. … We raise close to $100,000. Sometimes more, sometimes less. My tagline has always been, ‘Give us your money and we’ll give it right back.’
“The proceeds that we make from this Follies, we give away over the next three years through a grant request program. Our mission is to enhance and beautify the area. We give to causes that aren’t covered by our tax dollars.”
Myhrum said she hopes all of the shows sell out.
More information about the association and its programs is available at theda.org.