Peter Kope – Attack Theatre The Show of 10000 Tomorrows

Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Attack Theatre, Peter Kope, discussed live with Anna Singer about their upcoming show of The Show of 1000 Tomorrows, running weekends April 5th to April 13th. Inspired by worlds fairs and the phrase, 1000 Tomorrows, this 3 act dance piece explores the idea of perpetual motion and the constant renewing cycle of life. Peter talks about using music written by their music director, Dave Eggar, and Squnok’s Kevin Kornicki. They also will use music from Chatham Baroque. In addition, Peter reveals the true story of how Attack Theatre got its name. Visit https://www.attacktheatre.com/ to learn more about the show and to find tickets.

Kyle Haden – Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama World Theatre Day

Senior Associate Head and Associate Professor of Acting at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, Kyle Haden, celebrated World Theatre Day (March 27th) with Anna Singer live. To celebrate, they discuss the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award winner, Jason Zembuch Young and the Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School. This award is presented together by the Tony Awards and CMU School of Drama to exemplary arts educators. The winners receive master classes taught by CMU professors and industry professionals. Kyle and Anna also discuss upcoming productions at the School of Drama, including the spring musical, Little Night Music. Kyle highlights his career in theatre and how teaching the next generation of artists continues to be rewarding. Visit https://www.cmu.edu/tony-awards/educator/index.html to learn more about the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, and visit https://www.drama.cmu.edu/box-office/ to learn more about the School of Drama’s upcoming productions.

Mark Carver and Jessica Rivera – Hommage to Victoria De Los Angeles

Pianist, Mark Carver, and soprano, Jessica Rivera, discussed with Anna Singer live about their newly released CD, Hommage to Victoria De Los Angeles. Mark and Jessica talk about their collaboration for this CD, their recording at Harvard University before the pandemic, and their upcoming collaboration with another CD. Jessica also talks about her beginnings in opera, and how she did not speak Spanish while she was growing up. Mark also highlights his past concert with Tina Faigen and Robert Schultz at Chatham University. They played track #14, Del cabello mas sutil, to give a taste of what the CD sounds like. Listen to WQED-FM to hear Jessica and Mark’s new CD, or find it online.

Nanette Mancuso and Susan Sands – 2024 Three Rivers Community Band Concert

Conductor of the East Winds Symphonic Band, Susan Sands, and Clarinet player, Nanette Mancuso, discuss the annual Three Rivers Community Band Festival, held this year at the Franklin Regional High School on Saturday, April 6th at 2pm. Susan and Nanette talk about the concerts program that features four bands this year. The Community Band South, the East Winds Symphonic Band, the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band, and the 2024 Festival Band that is comprised of players from the numerous community bands in the region. Nanette highlights that this free concert will have food baked by the musicians, and Susan talks about the inclusion of more female conductor’s bands. WQED-FM’s very own Jim Cunningham will host. Visit https://ewsb.org/festival/ to learn more.

Michael Griska – Sitar Academy Concert

Local Sitar player, Michael Griska, discusses with Jim Cunningham about his upcoming concert on Wednesday, March 27th at 7:30 pm at the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church. Michael discusses the musical components of the raga and how for this concert he will not be performing with a percussionist. Michael and Jim also highlight how the Beatles brought Indian music to Western pop music, and Michael’s teacher’s connection to George Harrison. Michael also performs a Raag Jhinjhoti, a piece that contains three movements, Alap, Jor and Jhala in our studios. Visit the Academy Concerts Facebook page for more information.

Spencer Byham-Carson – Carnegie Mellon University Penelope

Student director Spencer Byham-Carson, discussed with Jim Cunningham about his upcoming production at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, Edna Walsh’s Penelope, running from Wednesday March 27th to Friday March 29th. Spencer talks about his process in choosing the play to direct and cast as his senior capstone at CMU. The play follows the story of four suitors to Penelope, who try to woo her away from her husband, Odysseus, while he is away fighting in the Trojan Wars. However, Spencer’s approach to the play is more angled towards slap-stick comedy, with a touch of the Bachelorette and a hint of the apocalypse. Spencer gives good advice on how to get the hard to secure tickets, and his past experience working with City Theater and Quantum Theater in the Pittsburgh area. Visit https://www.drama.cmu.edu/box-office/penelope/ to learn more.

Ricardo Vila-Roger and Patrick Mullen – Pitt Stages Spring Awakening

University of Pittsburgh Head of Performance and director, Ricardo Vila-Roger, and PhD candidate and dramaturg, Patrick Mullen, talk about their upcoming production of the rock musical Spring Awakening, running April 6th to the 14th at the Charity Randall Theater. Patrick highlights the history of the show, first starting as a play in the early 19th century before being turned into a Broadway rock musical. Ricardo emphasizes how relevant the themes of the musical still are today, especially in the wake of Roe v Wade being overturned and the youth mental health crisis in schools. Patrick and Ricardo also talk about their beginnings in theater and what they hope the audience will walk away with. Visit https://www.play.pitt.edu/production/spring-awakening-0 to learn more about the show and find tickets.

Heather McElwee – Pittsburgh Glass Center

Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Glass Center, Heather McElwee, talks about the Glass Center’s new $15 million renovation project that doubles the amount of studio space. The center is close to being finished and Heather hopes to have a ribbon cutting in the summer. She also highlights two exciting upcoming events at the Center. The first is Blown Away Hot Jam on April 5th from 6 to 9 pm at the Glass Center. This free event is a chance to see 3 contestants of Netflix’s Glass Blowing show Blown Away, featuring one of the PGC’s own teaching artists, Leana Quade. The second event is the opening of a years long exhibition in the making, Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers, on May 3rd at 6pm. The exhibit features 16 glass busts of Black same gender loving men cast as ancient Egyptian deities. The exhibit will be available to view from May 3rd to July 28th. Heather also talks about her own history and how she rose the ranks of the PGC. Visit https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/ to learn more about the Center and view their offered classes.

Devin Arrington – Musicians with a Mission

Accomplished Pittsburgh violinist, Devin Arrington, discusses with Jim Cunningham about his work as a composer, wedding performer, and organizer of Musicians with a Mission. Devin talks about why he started the non-profit Musicians with a Mission (WMAM) in 2010 as a way to bring together isolated people with music. Devin and Jim play three recordings of original compositions by Devin. They first play Heavenward composed for solo violin and tanpura. They then play String Quartet No. 2 “Gilead” which was performed by the Argus String Quartet. The last piece they play is one that was recorded in WQED-FM’s very own studio, For the Beauty of Grace, that features familiar melodies. Visit https://www.musicianswithamission.org/ to learn more about WMAM, and visit https://www.devinarrington.com/ to learn more about Devin.

Emily Richter

Up and coming soprano singer, Emily Richter, talked with Anna Singer live about her win as one of the Grand Finalists of the 2024 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. She highlights her background in piano and school choir as she traveled around the globe before completing her Bachelors at Lawrence University and Masters at McGill University. Emily emphasizes the rigorous selection process, and what the winners receive as a part of their prize. Emily and Anna also talk about her roles as a second year Resident Artist at the Pittsburgh Opera. Visit https://www.emilyrichter.com/ to learn more about her upcoming engagements and career.

Peter Boyer and Jeffrey Biegel – Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue

Composer Peter Boyer and pianist Jeffrey Biegel discuss with Anna Singer about their newly released single, Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue. This 17-minute piece was commissioned by Jeffrey in 2020. It was created as a companion piece to George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in celebration of its centennial in February 2024. Jeffrey and Peter talk about their collaboration, and the orchestra of the piece. They also highlight how they launched the Rhapsody National Initiative, which will take the piece to at least 54 orchestras in 50 states. Listen to WQED-FM 89-3 to hear Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue or find the recording online.

Brian Woods – Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania

Acclaimed pianist, Brian Woods, discussed with WQED’s Anna Singer about his upcoming recital with the Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 24th at 3pm at the Kresge Theater on Carnegie Mellon University’s campus. Brian talks about the name of his program, Wandering, and how the Ukraine war influenced his curating of the pieces. His program highlights composers who could not return home, such as Claude Debussy, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Frederic Chopin. Brian highlights the works he chose for the program, his start as a child with the piano, and his busy schedule after the Steinway Society recital. Visit https://www.sswpa.org/ to learn more about the concert and find tickets. You can also learn more about Brian on his website, https://www.brianwoodspianist.com/.