Despite funding struggles and numerous other challenges, including the construction in the Cultural District, Pittsburgh’s theater companies and arts organizations staged a stunning slate of productions in 2025. While we didn’t get to all of them, here are some highlights to remember.
The Top 5 Shows
City Theatre’s “The Real James Bond … Was Dominican:”This one-man show starring Christopher Rivas may have come early in 2025, but I knew instantly that it would make my year-end list. Weaving in his own tale of cultural awareness, Rivas told the story of Porfirio Rubirosa, a fascinating man and likely an inspiration for the character of James Bond. The lyrical, intimate and hilarious show was a delight from start to finish.
Quantum Theatre’s “Seagull:” Always innovating, Quantum Theatre staged the world premiere of a new Chekhov adaptation in the serene setting of Chatham University’s campus over the summer. As the sun set and the frogs croaked and hummed, audiences were treated to the most gripping final scene of a show this year. “Seagull” boasted brilliant performances, inspired direction and a new twist on a classic.
Pittsburgh Playwrights’ trio of August Wilson plays: It’s impossible to choose a favorite from the three productions that Pittsburgh Playwrights chose for the August Wilson’s American Century Cycle Experience this summer. Between “Fences” staged in the backyard of the August Wilson House, the fantastic “Two Trains Running” and the cabaret-style “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” the casts were flawless and Wilson’s brilliant plays absolutely shone.
Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s “Jesus Christ Superstar:”Right on time during the Easter season, Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” was a daring and chill-inducing production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. The rock-star set design, cool costume design and a standout performance from Treasure Treasure as Judas made this tried-and-true rock opera feel fresh and edgy while keeping its spirit intact.
Pittsburgh Public Theater’s “Trouble in Mind:” No other show this year felt as tense as “Trouble in Mind,” a play that was written in the 1950s and retains stunning relevance to this day. The meta play-about-a-play deals with race relations in a frank and darkly funny way that may still make modern audiences uncomfortable — and that’s a good thing, because theater should be challenging. This play was memorable and thought-provoking, and still a pleasure to watch despite its serious material.
Other great moments in theater this year
Perfect atmosphere: “Macbeth” is perhaps Shakespeare’s spookiest play, and Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks turned up the creepy factor to 11 with its autumn production. Not only were the costumes, sound design and set pieces perfectly on-theme, but there was also an added layer of foreboding that came with seeing it on a dark, drizzly afternoon at Frick Park.
Great performances: Many local actors proved their talent this year, but truly, the entire cast of Pittsburgh Playwrights’ “Art of Wise” was perfection, both individually and as a unit. The play — a world premiere penned by Playwrights founder and producing artistic director Mark Clayton Southers — is a remarkable work that gives its actors plenty to work with. Everyone, from Sheldon Ingram to Joseph McGrahaghan to David Minniefield to Karla C. Payne, electrified the stage.
Tear-jerking moments: Theater should provoke a range of emotions. Two shows caused both sad and happy tears for me this year, which is no small feat. City Theatre’s “Birthday Candles” was a quiet but lovely play about one woman’s life told through a series of birthday cakes, and watching the main character’s ups and downs was both a joy and a gut punch. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series presented “Come From Away,” a musical based on a true story about a tiny Newfoundland town welcoming stranded international travelers after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. While it was full of witty one-liners and real belly laughs, I’ll admit I was a bit choked up from the first scene to the curtain call.
Stunning dance numbers: PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series show “Some Like It Hot” brought fiery tap and ensemble dance numbers that made me doubt my skepticism of movie-to-stage adaptations, especially from the two lead actors. And Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Wizard of Oz” was a visual feast that included a variety of dance styles and impressive characterization through movement. This year taught audiences that it’s not old-fashioned to enjoy a great dance break or a beautiful ballet.
The most fun I had this year: Pittsburgh CLO honored the 50th anniversary of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” by staging the show it’s based on at the Greer Cabaret Theater. Not only did the CLO pull together a perfectly campy musical with a cast that set the tone, but it also allowed audience callbacks — and it’s hard to say who was funnier, the talented actors or the shouting crowd.
Despite its challenges, local theater is seeing a boom in popularity and a lot of changes going into the New Year. It’ll be nothing short of exciting to see what’s to come on Pittsburgh’s stages.