Executive Director of Film Pittsburgh, Kathryn Spitz Cohan, spoke to WQED-FM about their upcoming international independent Jewish film festival, JFilm, that runs from May 2nd to May 12th with showings at Carnegie Mellon University’s McConomy auditorium and The Oaks Theater in Oakmont. Kathryn highlights the opening night showing of Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. The film is a documentary about the pianist, composer, and conductor, John Bayless, who for 30 years had a very long career as a solo pianist touring across the world. The film also showcases his debilitating stroke, and how he continues to reinvent himself, even after losing function of his right side of his body. This special showing is followed by a performance by John Bayless, and a dessert reception with the director of the film, Stewart Schulman. Kathryn talks about the other 15 showings that happen during the film festival, ticket prices, and the many nostalgic documentaries that are in the festival. Visit https://filmpittsburgh.org/pages/jfilm to learn more and find tickets for the whole festival or just specific showings.
Warren Davidson and Jorie Butler-Geyer – Academy String Quartet
Members of the Academy String Quartet, violist Warren Davidson, and violinist Jorie Butler-Geyer, discusses their upcoming concert at the Allegheny Church in the Northside on Sunday, April 21st at 7:30 pm. This last concert at Allegheny Church features a program called Dances and Madrigals. Jorie and Warren talk about the program that combines Mendelssohn’s quartet in E-Flat and Czech master Bohuslav Martinu with his Three Madrigals. Jorie and Warren perform in WQED-FM’s studios two movements of the Three Madrigals, Poco allegro and Poco andante. Visit https://www.facebook.com/AcademyConcerts to learn more and find tickets. Also visit WQED-FM’s cultural calendar to see the rest of the Academy String Quartet’s upcoming concerts!
Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks – This Could Be True
Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Park artistic director, Jennifer Tober, musician and music director, Matt Calvetti, and writer and actor Charles David “Stoney” Richards, discuss with Anna Singer about the four’s collaboration in PSiP’s newest performance, Shakespeare: This Could Be True running Tuesday, April 23rd to Friday, April 26th, at the Union Trust Building downtown. Jennifer highlights the groups 20th anniversary this year, and Stoney talks about writing this show and how the idea came to him. Stoney and Matt also perform a small reading from the play, complete with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Anna highlights her role as the cockney-accented Nurse who closely resembles Nurse Ratchet. Visit https://www.pittsburghshakespeare.com/ to learn more and find tickets.
Jonathan Tetelman
Tenor opera singer, Jonathan Tetelman, spoke with WQED-FM from Carnegie Hall Studios about his recent Metropolitan Opera debut as Ruggero in La Rondine until April 20th, followed closely by Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly until May 11th. Jonathan discusses his emotions about the debut, the synopsis of La Rondine, and his recent album celebrating the 100th anniversary of Puccini’s death. Hear and see Jonathan in La Rondine on Classical WQED-FM and in theaters on April 20th, and in Madama Butterfly on May 11th. Visit https://www.jonathantetelman.com/ to learn more.
Cindy Berger and Margy Whitmer – Friends of Mellon Park
Board members with Friends of Mellon Park, Margy Whitmer and Board President, Cynthia Berger, spoke with Jim Cunningham about their annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 27th from 11 am to 2 pm. Margy highlights all the wonderful free activities available for children during the day, as well as the amazing food and music that will be available. Cynthia highlights this year’s honoree, Joy Sato, who will have a tree planted in the park in her honor. Cynthia, Margy, and Jim all reminisce about Margy and other board member, Elizabeth Seamans, connection to WQED with Fred Rogers. Visit https://friendsofmellonpark.org/ to learn more about this free rain-or-shine event!
Lindsay Goranson – APIS New Hazlett Theater
Costume designer, production designer, performer, writer and now director, Lindsay Goranson, spoke with WQED-FM about their newest play, APIS, at the New Hazlett Theater on Thursday, April 18th, and Saturday, April 19th. A time-travelling bee comes to visit Apis, a female worker at an underground food store, and what happens next changes everything. Lindsay describes this theater experience that includes puppets, miniatures, original composition, time travel, and a look at the future of our food supply. Lindsay talks about how she created the story, what it is like to direct versus act in a show, and how we can minimize our environmental impact. Visit https://newhazletttheater.org/events/apis/ to learn more and find tickets.
Norma Alrutz and Amber Fantini – Saltworks Theater Company
Executive Director of Saltworks Theater Company, Norma Alrutz, and Board Chair, Amber Fantini, spoke with WQED-FM about their organization and their production of Around the World in 80 Days on Friday, April 19th, and Saturday, April 20th, at the Greenstone UM Church in Bellevue. Norma and Amber highlight Saltworks bread and butter, their school assembly live educational theater shows that showcase the consequences of substance abuse, bullying, and also the hope that comes from making life-affirming choices. Norma talks about the 6 different shows they offer to schools from elementary to high school education, and how one of those shows was inspired by a Mister Fred Rogers quote. They also talk about their Young Actors Studio classes that run year round. Visit https://www.saltworks.org/ to learn more about Saltworks.
Jim Cunningham – Butler County Symphony Orchestra
Jim Cunningham interviews…..Jim Cunningham!! The Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents “The Music of John Williams” on Saturday April 13th, 7:30pm at the Butler Intermediate High School. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke with Butler County Symphony Orchestra trumpet Jim Cunningham about the concert as well as the “Dinner, Dancing, and Diamonds” Gala on Sunday April 21st.
Ayisha Morgan-Lee – Hill Dance Academy Theatre
Hill Dance Academy Theatre’s Annual Spring Dance Concert is back on April 19-21, 2024, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. This year’s theme is Sustaining the Legacy & Creating Expressions Of Black History, Culture, and Tradition through Movement…Gospel Style. Founder and CEO Ayisha Morgan-Lee spoke with WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham about the concert.
Organist Anna Lapwood
The Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh presents Anna Lapwood on Friday, April 12th, 7:30pm at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church in Mt. Lebanon. Anna Lapwood MBE is an organist, conductor and broadcaster, and holds the position of Director of Music at Pembroke College (Cambridge), Associate Artist of the Royal Albert Hall (London) and Artist in Association with the BBC Singers. In 2023 she was awarded the prestigious ‘Gamechanger’ Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society, and signed to SONY Classical as an exclusive recording artist. She reaches a huge audience through her concerts and via social media with over 1 million followers across all platforms. She spoke with WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham about her concert, getting people interested in organ recitals, her incredible success on social media and more.
Garrod Pagenkopf – Chanticleer
Assistant Conductor of Chanticleer, Garrod Pagenkopf, details the program on Sunday April 14th, 3pm, at Shadyside Presbyterian Church – their sixth trip to Pittsburgh. Garrod spoke with Jim Cunningham about their new cd “On a Clear Day,” the special qualities of the all male ensemble, the repertoire of the singers, having diversity, singing music by women, why they are only men, what to see when visiting the choir’s home base of San Francisco, and using Duolingo at a high level.
Phillip Ying – The Ying Quartet
Founding member and violist of the Ying Quartet, Phillip Ying, was on the phone live with Jim Cunningham, to speak about the Ying Quartet’s concert on April 8th, at 7:30 pm at the PNC Theatre, as a part of the Chamber Music Pittsburgh’s mainstage live series. The Quartet will be performing with double bassist, Xavier Foley, who will premiere a new work for bass quintet that was commissioned by Chamber Music Pittsburgh. The Quartet will also play Haydn’s String Quartet in B Flat Major, and Dvorak’s String Quintet in G Major. Phillip highlights how the Quartet first formed and how the past 30 years have gone. Visit https://www.chambermusicpittsburgh.org/ to learn more about the concert and find tickets.