SPOTLIGHT: Thu., Jan. 7 — Comedy
If Hooking Up With The Second City sounds saucier than the storied comedy troupe usually gets when visiting Pittsburgh, well, it is. “Perhaps a bit more taboo and risque” is how touring-company member Kelsey Kinney describes this new mix of sketches, songs and improv about relationships, which hits Pittsburgh Public Theater for four performances this week. The Cleveland native is joined by fellow performers Ali Barthwell, Martin Morrow, Charles Pettitt, Jasbir Singh and Casey Whitaker, with live accompaniment by musical director Vinnie Pillarella. (Anneliese Toft directs.) Songs include the spoofy “Firefighter Orgy,” which starts out boastful and “takes a very quick turn into them being very amorous with themselves and each other,” says Kinney (pictured third from left), speaking by phone from Chicago. The company will also reprise classic scenes from Second City’s half-century of antics, including one about a woman’s new boyfriend getting harassed by her siblings (while they’re all in line for Cubs tickets). As for improv, Kinney says that one scene finds performers recreating the romance of a couple from the audience based on a short interview during the show. And if you’re afraid of being recruited for improv, don’t hide: “The truth is, it doesn’t matter where you sit,” quips Kinney. “We’ll find you anywhere in the audience.” Bill O’Driscoll Thu., Jan. 7-Sat., Jan. 9. 621 Penn Ave., Downtown. $15.75-50. 412-316-1600 or www.ppt.org
Thu., Jan. 7 — Comedy
“The later you’re up, the more every advertiser thinks you have a problem,” notes comedian Todd Glass. “They come in with ads at like 4 in the morning: ‘Do you have genital herpes?’ ‘No, I’m just — I’m not tired!’” If you missed the nationally known, Philadelphia-based Glass when he headlined at last August’s Pittsburgh Comedy Festival — or even if you just really like him — you’re in luck. The guy Patton Oswalt calls “one of the best comedians alive” is back this weekend for five shows at the intimate Arcade Comedy Theater, starting tonight. Bill O’Driscoll 8 p.m. Continues through Sat., Jan. 9. 811 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $20. 412-339-0608 or www.arcadecomedytheater.com
Thu., Jan. 7 — Stage
Four adult siblings ensconced in a college building on the Upper East Side work out their fraught and twisted relationships in Richard Alfieri’s The Sisters. The 1995 play, inspired by Chekhov’s Three Sisters, comes to the Andrew Carnegie Free Library, in Carnegie, thanks to Cup-A-Jo Productions. The troupe’s first main-stage production in three years promises “live music, wine and naked aggression” (though we suspect that most of that’s intended for the characters, not the audience). Art Deconciliis directs an accomplished cast including Don DiGiulio, Parag S. Gohel, Everett Lowe, Joanna Lowe and Gayle Pazerski Stephenson. The first performance is tonight. BO 8 pm. Continues through Jan. 16. 300 Beechwood Ave., Carnegie. $15. [email protected]
Fri., Jan. 8 — Event
Every Friday night, The Andy Warhol Museum holds Good Fridays, a happy hour featuring discounted admission. Starting tonight, Good Fridays in January are happier still, with free admission (courtesy of UPMC Health Plan). Enjoy a cash bar, sounds by DJ Huck Finn and a chance to see exhibits like Warhol by the Book (which closes on Jan. 10) and the museum’s fab permanent exhibits on the world-famous Pittsburgh native’s life and work. BO 5-10 p.m. Also on Jan. 15, 22 and 29. 117 Sandusky St., North Side. 412-237-8300 or www.warhol.org
Fri., Jan. 8 — Comedy
The Harvey Wallbangers, who call themselves “Pittsburgh’s drinking troupe with a sketch-comedy problem,” are back. We’re Inside You Now is an evening of fully produced original sketches, complete with “musical numbers, celebrity guest appearances, and more costume changes than you can imagine.” Nathan Bell, Matt Butoryak, Heidi Nagle, Tyson Schrader and Monica Stephenson — who previously brought you sketches including “Fart Zombies,” “Zumba Flashbacks” and “Dirty Dancing Postal Workers” — are joined by special guests for three shows at Carnegie Stage, starting tonight. BO 8 p.m. Also 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 9, and 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 10. 25 W. Main St., Carnegie. $10-15. 724-873-3576 or www.carnegiestage.com
Sat., Jan. 9 — Benefit
Three years ago this month, Ka’Sandra Wade, a 33-year-old resident of Lemington, was found shot to death, the victim of domestic violence; her murder prompted a Pittsburgh Police investigation into whether officers had responded properly to a 911 call Wade had made the day before the shooting. Wade’s son, Zaire Brown, is now 13 and being raised by his grandmother on a fixed income. Tonight, join local talents including Deryck Tines and the Lemington Gospel Chorale for Ka’Sandra Wade, Never Forget! The event will raise awareness about domestic violence, and proceeds from a free-will donation will benefit Zaire’s upbringing. Guests at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church include vocalist Travis Malloy; dance artist Ira Cambric; internationally touring, New York-based pianist Kenny Peagler; and domestic-violence survivors who’ll give a spoken-word performance. BO 5 p.m. 5801 Hampton St., Highland Park. Donation requested. www.facebook.com (search “Ka’Sandra Wade”)
Sat., Jan. 9 — Art
Spinning Plate Gallery hosts an unusual collaborative exhibition. Transactions features work by eight artists, and verse by eight poets responding directly to those artworks. The art, curated by Gary Jurysta, includes pieces by Bill Brunken, Susan Constance, Charles Andresen and Barbara Westman. The poets, coordinated by MaryAnn Miller, include Alan Beyersdorf, Sarah B. Boyle, Elizabeth Hoover and Thomas Jay Rush. Tonight’s opening reception features the poets reading their work. BO 7 p.m. (free). Exhibit continues through Jan. 30. 5821 Baum Blvd., Friendship. www.facebook.com/spinningplategallery
Sat., Jan. 9 — Art
Pittsburgh-based Redfishbowl Collective, which blends art and music, brings its act to The Gallery 4. The Redfishbowl Collective Artists’ Showcase includes recent works from the Collective, as organized by Redfishbowl founder Christopher Boles. Artists including Jökull Sigurðsson, Christopher Colton, Durty-1 and Ziggy Sawdust offer images in styles ranging from science fiction and cartooning to surrealism, pop and street art. Tonight’s opening reception, naturally, includes both live music and live painting. BO 7-11 p.m. (free). Exhibit continues through Feb. 27. 206 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside. 412-363-5050 or www.thegallery4.us
Sat., Jan. 9 — Comedy
It might sound counterintuitive, but Unplanned Comedy Pittsburgh is hosting a comedy benefit for Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania. Tonight, at its home base, Cattivo, the improv group is staging A Gift for Laughs: It’s 10-minute standup sets by the likes of Molly Sharrow, Holly Price and Sean Collier, followed by improv groups doing scenes inspired by those sets. The improv talent includes Woody Drennan, Tessa Karell and Sarah Turocy, and musical-improv duo Baby Grand (Missy Moreno and Connor McCanlus). Shannon Norman hosts. BO 8 p.m. 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. $15-20 (21 and over). 412-212-7061 or www.unplannedcomedy.com
Sat., Jan. 9 — Music
Tonight, the monthly Second Saturday series at the Space Upstairs features Avi Diamond. The Pittsburgh-based singer and musician brings her jazz background, and claims inspirations from Ella Fitzgerald to Radiohead. Aside from live music from Diamond, expect improvised performances including dance, and live multimedia experiments, all in a lounge-style BYOB atmosphere. BO 8 p.m.-midnight. 214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. $10 suggested donation. www.facebook.com (search “Second Saturday”)
Sun., Jan. 10 — Stage
Here comes that little kid in the glasses again. Mischievous first-grader Junie B. Jones, star of Barbara Park’s long-running chapter-book series, is the hero of a new onstage musical adventure. Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School finds Junie herself writing the book on coping with the school day. The hour-long show, produced by touring troupe Theatreworks USA, is recommended for ages 3-11. This week, courtesy of the Citizens Bank Children’s Theatre Series, the show makes the rounds of local schools, but today’s kickoff is at the Byham Theater. BO 2 p.m. (101 Sixth St., Downtown). Continues through Jan. 17 (various local schools). $10.50-12. 412-456-6666 or www.trustarts.org
Sun., Jan. 10 — Screen
Free movie and popcorn! That is, if you can make it through three Laurel and Hardy shorts without laughing. This afternoon, the Hollywood Theater holds a Laugh Challenge, hosted by comedy expert Dan Kamin, who picked the pairs’ silent classics “Liberty,” “You’re Darn Tootin’” and “Big Business.” Jay Spencer will provide music on the organ, and Laurel and Hardy fan David “Mr. McFeely” Newell will do a post-film Q&A with Kamin. There will be laughs, and there’s a good bet yours will be among them. Al Hoff 3 p.m. Hollywood Theater, 1449 Potomac Ave., Dormont. $6-8. 412-563-0368 or www.thehollywooddormont.org
