Hamilton fever hits Pittsburgh this January, and local theater-goers are chomping at the bit to see the period musical that took Broadway by storm. But not everyone will get to see the hip-hop spin on the true story of a controversial Founding Father, especially with seats quickly selling out and tickets going for $230 or more a pop. What's a Hamilton fan to do? Thankfully, the Pittsburgh theater scene has other affordable events to satisfy any history nerd, musical theater kid at heart, or rap-influenced show tune lover all month long.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Education
Fri., Jan. 11
Why see the show when you can be part of it? The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Education presents
Moon Shot
Byham Theater
Fri., Jan. 18 – Sat., Jan. 19
If Hamilton scratches a historical itch, check out the new EQT Bridge Theater Series show, Moon Shot. Presented by Chicago-based company Theater Unspeakable, the action-packed work recreates the story of America’s Apollo 11 lunar landing through a careful staging of movement and space. Seven actors squeeze onto a 21-square-foot stage nearly as tight as NASA’s original Mercury capsules, bringing to life the daring Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. If you're curious about the production's take on historical events, the scientific news source, Space.com, praised Moon Shot for its depiction of the demands placed on astronauts and called it “a refreshing interpretation of the race to the moon.” 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. 101 6th St., Downtown. $12. trustarts.org
Where Did We Sit on the Bus?
City Theatre Lester Hamburg Studio
Sat., Jan. 19
If you crave a hip-hop driven story, City Theatre Company highlights the Latino experience with Where Did We Sit On the Bus? Written and performed by Salvadoran-American talent, Brian Quijada, and directed by Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater artistic director, Chay Yew, the one-man show serves as a hip-hop autobiography of a young Latino boy as he comes of age. Using pulsing rhythms and original rhymes set to a live, looped soundtrack, Quijada looks at growing up Latinx in a world that categorizes everyone in black and white. Continues through Feb. 24. 1300 Bingham St., South Side. Tickets start at $29. citytheatrecompany.org
In the Heights
Pittsburgh Musical Theater-Gargaro Theater
Mon., Jan. 24
Why not see the show that started it all for Hamilton writer Lin-Manuel Miranda? With music and lyrics by Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, the show focuses on a store owner in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, who watches his tight-knit community become gripped by lottery mania when it discovers his bodega sold a winning ticket. Since its original premiere in 2005, the show went on to win four Tony awards after a smash Broadway run. See it live before the big-screen adaptation hits theaters in 2020. Continues through Feb. 3. 327 South Main St., West End. Tickets start at $40. pittsburghmusicals.com
