Beaver County theater groups look to shine in Pittsburgh New Works Festival

PITTSBURGH ― As the Pittsburgh New Works Festival presents world premieres of 15 one-act plays, Beaver County will be represented by four of the producing theater companies and one of the playwrights.

The 32nd annual festival runs for five weekends, beginning Aug. 24, at Genesius Theater at Duquesne University.

The festival’s Program B, running from Aug. 31 – Sept. 3, will include "Lucid," by Dana Hall of OrlandPark, Ill., produced by Ambridge’s Iron Horse Theatre Company. Its cast will feature Erin Ricciardi ofBeaver.

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Program C, Sept. 7-10, will be entirely produced by Beaver Valley theater companies. Stray Cat (formerly Ashcat) Theatre Company of Ambridge will present "Up and Away" by Thomas Andrews of Sewickley, featuring actor Dave Joseph of Rochester. Next on the program will be "The Ferris Wheel" by D. Lee Miller of Rego Park, N.Y., produced by The Bobcat Players, of Beaver. The program’s finale will be "Still It Moves," by Jeff DeSantis of Baden, produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions, of Rochester.

Beaver County actors in other festival plays include Andrea Cary, Chelsea Kikel, Wendy Parkulo andKeith Zagorski.

Amy Joseph of Rochester, the Pittsburgh New Works Festival board president, said, “As a participant, a board member and now president, I couldn’t be more excited about this 32nd season. I’m thrilled and honored to be working alongside a team of passionate theater enthusiasts. It’s great that the festival encompasses theater companies from throughout the region, and it’s especially gratifying that Beaver County is so well represented.”

The festival enjoys the full support of partnerships including the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Artsburgh Flex Pass and Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

“The festival provides networking opportunities and exposes local theater companies to a variety of talentfrom around the world," Joseph said. "Getting to play a small part in the positive impact to Pittsburgh andthe theater community is such a rewarding experience.”

Season tickets cost $60, or each three-play program can be purchased for $17 in advance or $20 at the door.

For more details and to purchase tickets, visit pittsburghnewworks.org

The Genesius Theater is at 1225 Seitz St.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver County theater talent featured in Pittsburgh New Works fest