Listings

PERFORMANCES: 

THROUGH DEC. – THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS. Disney puts its twist on the holiday story, with an all-star cast including Keira Knightly, Misty Copeland, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman. Various theaters in the area, times vary. Tickets $10.50-13.75.

THROUGH DEC. 2 – CORAM BOY. Tomé Cousin directs this local premiere about two orphans in 18th century London whose lives intertwine over the years. A sensational over-the-top musical dramedy, oddly, yet happily reminiscent of Tomé’s time on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Go and feel the uplifting effect of its daringly witty finale. Highmark Theater, Downtowns new Pittsburgh Playhouse. Tickets: Student $13 ; Alumni/Senior $15; General Admission, $20. Coram.

THROUGH DEC. 2 – ATTACK THEATRE. It’s an encore performance of In Defense of Gravity, inspired by the gritty and poignant poetry of local icon, Jimmy Cvetic. Top notch jazz musical collaborators include vocalist Angwenique, saxophonist Ben Opie, pianist Ben Brosche and percussionist Jeff Berman. George R. White Studio, Pittsburgh Opera 2425 Liberty Avenue. Thurs.-Sat. at 8, Sat. at 2, Sun. at 6. Tickets: $15-45, click on Gravity.

NOV. 30-DEC. 27 – PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE. The Sugar Plum arrives early this year for the annual production. Benedum Center, times vary. Tickets: $28-112; 412-456-6666, Box Office at Theater Square or PBTNUT. 

DEC. 2 – BOLSHOI BALLET. It’s the Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema, a live performance (on film) of Don Quixote, the bravura ballet with the famous pas de deux starring Ekaterina Krysanova and Semyon Chudin. 12:55, Southside Works Cinema, Cinemark Robinson Township, Monroeville Mall. Tickets: $16-18.

DEC. 6-7 – PORTO DOMI. The latest in the New Hazlett Theatre’s CSA series, designed to “grow” young artists, this is a heartfelt story of a young girl and her search for the meaning of home. Using the magical world of large-scale marionettes, projection, shadow puppetry and dance it serves up a wonderful message. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. Click on Porto.

DEC. 7-16 – CONSERVATORY DANCE COMPANY. Point Park University’s dance department has assembled a star-studded choreographic line-up for its debut performance in PPU’s new PNC Theatre. A must-see for the local dance community. Leading the pack is Aszure Barton (American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and more!), followed by Edwaard Liang (artistic director of Ballet Met, former dancer with New York City Ballet and Nederlans Dans Theater, created for Bolshoi Ballet, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, NYCB and more!). Nacho Duato is a famed international choreographer and the students will perform the exciting finale to Gnawa, premiered by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (and performed here with the Pittsburgh Dance Council). Most familiar to the younger generation is Tyce Diorio, Emmy Award-winning choreographer from So You Think You Can Dance. Hold your breath! Pittsburgh Playhouse.

DEC. 8-9 – SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY. This is the Fall Concert for the dance department with works by faculty and emerging student choreographers. Swope Recital Hall, 2 and 5 p.m. 724-738-2036.

DEC. 12 – RASHAAD NEWSOME. This New York-based multidisciplinary artist brings Shade Compositions, an ongoing performance project involving marginalized populations that launched in 2005. He has exhibited in many international galleries and this Pittsburgh edition will be co-presented by PearlArts Studios and The Andy Warhol Museum. Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, 8 p.m. Free and reduced admission. Click on Rashaad.

DEC. 13-16 – NPN CONFERENCE.  The Kelly Strayhorn Theater enhances its national reputation by hosting the National Performance Network, an organization designed to nurture, enhance and present the arts. If you’re interested in the latest ways to strengthen and promote your organization, click on  NPN Schedule. There are also three separate ticketed events: Performing Readiness: Emergency Preparedness 101, ways to keep your artists and audiences and organization safe from situations like risk and financial issues, click on 101; Pittsburgh Live and OnStage: Two performance events featuring some of the best Pittsburgh has to offer, including STAYCEE PEARL dance project, Bill Shannon, Angwenique Wingfield, Afro Yacqui Music Collective, Slowdanger and Blake Rapp M.A.D.U.S.A., 8 p.m. Fri. and 4 p.m. Sat., click on Live.

DEC. 23 – BOLSHOI BALLET. It’s more of the Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema, a live performance (on film) of the perennial ballet production of The Nutcracker, Russia-style.  12:55, Southside Works Cinema, Cinemark Robinson Township, Monroeville Mall. Tickets: $16-18.