MLT Risks Naughty List With Criminal Caper

December 10, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment

A small group of McKeesport Little Theater performers and members have joined forces for a different kind of fundraiser this holiday season.

“A Criminal Christmas Caper” is an adult dinner theater murder mystery presented for one night only on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.

Tickets include the show and a three-course meal. Holiday-themed attire enters guests to win a door prize. Cost is $40, with a limit of 80 tickets being sold in advance. None will be sold at the door.

MLT veteran Gavin Calgaro wears two hats – as director and one of the characters – for the Christmas caper.

MLT Juniors Stage Lively ‘Shrek’ Adaptation

December 04, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment

In the foreground, Leah Morgan as Gingy gets feisty with Nie’Zhay Jefferson as Lord Farquaad. (All photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

The musical version of the tale of an outcast ogre, his faithful friend, and their adventures with others along the way to rescue a princess soon will grace the stage at McKeesport Little Theater.

Opening Friday night, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and running weekends through Dec. 14, “Shrek the Musical Jr.” is based on the DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical.

“Since Dorothy Fallows retired from the Juniors program, Lori (Stramaski) and I are now co-chairs of the committee, which automatically makes us involved,” said Amy Majewski, who produces “Shrek” with Stramaski.

“With it being our first musical without Dorothy, we decided to do a show we were both familiar with. Also, with the program growing every year, we needed a show with a lot of great characters. ‘Shrek’ seemed like a great option to cover both,” she said.

Local Natives Featured in MLT’s “Dragsgiving”

November 26, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment

McKeesport native Joey Young is a rising star in the drag community nationally and winner of several prestigious competitions. (Submitted photo)

Coincidental phone calls led to a local collaboration between two successful McKeesport native drag queens, resulting in “Dragsgiving” this Saturday at McKeesport Little Theater.

Pittsburgh’s First Lady of Drag Kierra Darshell, who grew up along Union Avenue not far from the theater, said she had an idea for a show over the Thanksgiving weekend and was looking for a venue.

McKeesport Little Theater Juniors alum and McKeesport Area High School grad Joey Young is a rising star in the drag community, having recently won the Miss Blue Moon competition and prestigious national/international Miss Continental Newcomer title.

Satire is a Wiz at Conjuring Laughs

October 16, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Entertainment

In a satire of a popular book and movie series, members of the Puffs house at a certain school of magic are entertaining McKeesport Little Theater audiences with stories of their trials and triumphs. (Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Little Theater)

McKeesport Little Theater's current production promises to take audiences through “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” when “Puffs” takes to the stage for its final weekend beginning Friday (Oct. 17).

Written by Matt Cox, the play premiered in December 2015 at The People’s Improv Theater in New York City, and is recognized as a parody of the Harry Potter series — but PG-13 in nature.

Cox explained to a reporter that the idea of the play came to him on a subway ride one night, when he considered how terrifying it might have been for other students at magic school through seven years of trials and tribulations with a famous wizard in attendance.

Creativity Enlivens ‘Be More Chill’ for MLT Stage

July 17, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment

In foreground, from left, are Joe Kosha as Jeremy Heere, Danny Gavlik in one of his several roles as Mr. Reyes, Katie Hall as Jeremy’s love interest Christine Canigula, and Michelle Roque Alvarez as The SQUIP. (Bonnijean Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

When a high school junior finds out there might be an easy way for him to overcome his low self-esteem, advance his social standing, and win the girl of his dreams, he embraces the opportunity ... but at what cost?

That answer and much more can be found in the musical "Be More Chill," which opens Friday at McKeesport Little Theater.

Based on a 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini, with original music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, the show follows Joe Kosha as Jeremy Heere and his classmates as they deal with finding one's identity, popularity, jealousy, betrayal -- theme definitely not confined to the teen years.

HS Students Perform With Pittsburgh Symphony

May 12, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Entertainment

(Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Area School District)

This weekend, six students from McKeesport Area High School took the stage and performed alongside the prestigious Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as members of the Hamlisch-Page Student Choir.

The PSO’s student choir is composed of high school and collegiate singers from the greater Pittsburgh area and was created by the late Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Music Director Emeritus Robert Page.

Students performed at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh during the PSO’s “Clouds in My Coffee” Mother’s Day Weekend concerts, which featured the music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon. Student chorists supported vocalists Morgan James, Bryonha Marie and Micaela Diamond.

"We’re so proud of these students and excited to see them represent McKeesport in such an amazing opportunity," said Beth Eger, choir and piano teacher at McKeesport Area High School.

Pictured from left to right are Michael Pfeffercorn, Elizabeth Nemes, Gianna Sotereanos, Phoenix Funk and Antoine Smith. Also joining them are choir director Christine Hestwood and accompanist Lorraine Milovac. (Not pictured is Lucas Sotereanos.)

Not Easy Being Green: MLT Brings ‘Horrors’ to Life

May 08, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment

Audrey II sure has grown! Johnny Terreri as Seymour Krelborn and Carina Iannarelli as Audrey discuss Seymour’s success raising the mysterious plant. (Bonnijean Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

When Jeff Boles found out McKeesport Little Theater was looking for a director for “Little Shop of Horrors,” he let them know he definitely was interested.

“I love it,” he said prior to a recent rehearsal. “It’s one of those Top 5 musicals.”

This is the first time Boles has directed at MLT, with the show opening Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. “The theater is great and it has been a lot of fun,” Boles said.

Middle Schoolers Bring ‘Moana’ to Life

April 30, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment

Students from Founders' Middle School will present Moana Jr. as their annual spring musical. (Submitted photo)

Founders’ Hall Middle School students Tori Thomas and Skylar Crenshaw have been friends for years, a relationship they agree has helped them bring their well-known characters to life for the spring musical “Moana Jr.”

Thomas plays Moana, who is on a quest to restore the heart of goddess Te Fiti, stolen many years ago by demigod Maui (Crenshaw).

The show is based on the 2016 Disney movie “Moana,” whose storyline and songs already were familiar to the cast of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders when auditions were announced.

It opens at 7 p.m. Thursday (May 1) with all shows performed in the Francis McClure auditorium in White Oak.

‘Peter Pan’ Hooks Audiences at Serra

April 23, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News

The cast strikes a pose during rehearsals for one of the dance numbers in Serra Catholic High School’s production of “Peter Pan” musical. (Submitted photo courtesy Jesse Bush, Serra Catholic High School)

Tasked with selecting the annual spring musical at Serra Catholic, director Jesse Bush said he wanted to do something different to give the students a new experience.

“I try to pick a variety of styles of musicals. Last year was the ‘Addams Family,’ year before was ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ and I thought it was time to do something a little more lighthearted,” he said.

The result is “Peter Pan,” based on the 1954 Broadway version starring Mary Martin as the boy who won’t grow up, which opens Friday (April 25) at 7 p.m.

Musical ‘Titanic’ Sets Sail at MAHS

April 01, 2025 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News

Director/choreographer Erin Seaberg, in green shirt at left, gives pointers and makes adjustments during a recent rehearsal for the spring musical at McKeesport Area High School. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

When the creative staff was considering what show to select for this year’s McKeesport Area High School musical, they agreed on one thing.

“We were looking for an ensemble show,” Producer/Pit Director Sarah Persin said. “We have a lot of talent.”

They decided on “Titanic the Musical,” based on the true story of the RMS Titanic, which sank after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage in April 1912. More than 1,000 people died in the disaster. 

Some students said they were surprised when they found out what the musical was going to be. Some had heard of it, while others initially thought it was going to be the Jack-and-Rose story like the 1997 movie.