Arts & Entertainment

Pittsburgh Public Theater Opens with 'Electra'

Opening PPT's 37th season is the production of 'Electra,' showing Sept. 29-Oct. 30.

Pittsburgh Public Theater launches its 37thseason with “Electra,” a production written by ancient Greek master Sophocles and adapted by Frank McGuinness.

After highly successful productions of “Medea” and “Oedipus the King,” Greek native Ted Pappas will now direct “Electra.”

It runs Sept. 29-Oct. 30 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in the heart of Downtown’s Cultural District.

Find out what's happening in Forest Hills-Regent Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Electra” brings to life the myths of ancient Greece while it tells a timeless story of one family’s tragedy. As the play begins, Orestes (Michael Simpson), his friend Pylades (David Bielewicz), and his faithful servant (Edward James Hyland) secretly return to the palace of Mycenae.

Years before, he had been sent into hiding after the murder of his father, King Agamemnon, by his mother Clytemnestra (Lisa Harrow) and her lover Aegisthus (David Whalen).

Find out what's happening in Forest Hills-Regent Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Despite the passage of time his sister, Electra (Catherine Eaton), can’t get over their father’s death. Their other sister, Chrysothemis (Catherine Gowl), and the women of Mycenae (The Chorus: Glynis Bell, Shinnerrie Jackson, and Amy Landis), tell her to pull herself together.

But that’s hard in the presence of her regal mother who proclaims her righteousness. Will fate give Electra her revenge? That answer will not be revealed until the play’s shocking conclusion.

The design team for “Electra” is James Noone (Scenic), Gabriel Berry (Costumes), Kirk Bookman (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Ruth E. Kramer is the Production Stage Manager and Fredric H. Orner is the Assistant Stage Manager.

For tickets, call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org.

“Electra” is presented by First Niagara with production sponsors Jim and Electra Agras and Production Underwriters Jim and Kathe Patrinos.

The performance schedule is as follows:

Sept. 29-Oct. 30; Tues. through Sat. at 8 p.m. (except Tues., Oct 25 when the show is at 7 p.m.)

Sat. at 2 p.m. (except Oct. 1 & 8)

There will be an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Thurs., Oct. 27

Sun. at 2 & 7 p.m. (except Oct. 30 when the final show is at 2 p.m.)

Press Night and Opening Night are Thurs., Oct. 6

Ticket Prices

  • $28.75 to $60.75
  • $15.75 for students and age 26 and younger with valid ID

Related Topics: ElectraO’Reilly Theater, and Pittsburgh Public Theater


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Forest Hills-Regent Square