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Critical Reviews

Of Mice and Men

Review: Pittsburgh in the Round

Review: Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine

Review: Burgh Vivant


In the Time of the Butterflies

Review: Pittsburgh Current

Review: Pittsburgh in the Round

Review: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Review: Burgh Vivant


Twelfth Night

Review: Broadway World

Review: Burgh Vivant

Review: Pittsburgh in the Round

Press Releases

02/05/2024 - PITTSBURGH — Prime Stage Theatre’s upcoming presentation of And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank tells the poignant story of teenage Holocaust victim Anne Frank through the eyes of her close friends Eva Schloss and Ed Silverberg. It was those friends who gave each other vital emotional support as they and their families struggled to survive during the darkest days of Nazi occupation and genocide.

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12/14/2023 - Nominees announced for Prime Stage Theatre’s 4th Annual High School Drama Awards on Jan. 29 - PITTSBURGH — Nominees were announced this week for Prime Stage Theatre’s 4th Annual High School Drama Awards taking place Jan. 29, 2024 at New Hazlett Theater

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12/12/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre presents “Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott” - PITTSBURGH — Prime Stage Theatre’s upcoming presentation of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott tells the remarkable story of an ordinary American whose simple act of personal bravery changed the history of a nation.

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10/9/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre Presents The Miracle Worker (Pittsburgh, PA – October 9, 2023) Prime Stage Theatre’s 27th season of courage and discovery brings literature to life with inspiring productions, new partnerships, special events and our accessibility outreach.

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08/29/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre Announces their 2023-2024 Season of Courage and Discovery (Pittsburgh, PA – August 29, 2023) Prime Stage Theatre’s 27th season of courage and discovery brings literature to life with inspiring productions, new partnerships, special events and our accessibility outreach. “Our 27th season theme of Courage and Discovery will have a profound impact as we bring literature to life on stage. It's important that each of our productions be a unique and memorable experience for our patrons, partnerships, and special guests for post-show discussions.

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06/01/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre presents The Boxcar Children (Pittsburgh, PA – May 31, 2023) June brings another Prime Stage Sprouts production – the brave, adventuresome and uplifting story The Boxcar Children. “The Boxcar Children is a perfect way to end our season of Suspense, Hope and Wonder with this inspiring story that brings literature to life,” said Wayne Brinda, Producing Artistic Director.

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04/21/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre presents The 39 Steps Award-winning play packed with nonstop laughs (Pittsburgh, PA – April 20, 2023) Prime Stage Theatre is excited to present The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Scott P. Calhoon. The production is based on the book by John Buchan.
The critically acclaimed 2007 Oliver Award winner for Best New Comedy is a retelling of the Alfred Hitchcock movie which is a retelling of the novel. A favorite of director Alfred Hitchcock, The 39 Steps would influence the famous filmmaker long before he adapted it to his film of the same name.

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03/17/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh Present a World Premiere Production of Perseverance (Pittsburgh, PA – March 17, 2023) Each year through the power of theatre and partnerships Prime Stage Theatre and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh engage the world in education, understanding and actions against the atrocities of genocide. This year’s enGAGE production is a live and virtual performance adapted from the book Perseverance: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Poland to America.

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02/25/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre Announces 3rd High School Drama Awards - (Pittsburgh, PA – February 25, 2023) Prime Stage Theatre is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Prime Stage High School Drama Awards for schools in Southwestern, PA. The awards ceremony will be held on April 24, 2023, at the New Hazlett Theater Center for the Performing Arts. Join us in bringing recognition to the students who work so hard to bring drama to their audiences keeping drama alive in our schools.

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02/10/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre Brings the World of Narnia to Life As Part of Their Season of Suspense, Hope and Wonder (Pittsburgh, PA – February 10, 2023) In March The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe comes to life on stage. On a rainy day in London four children step through a magical wardrobe and discover an enchanted kingdom filled with fantasy, mystical characters and suspense as the world of Narnia based on C.S. Lewis’ timeless book comes to life.

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01/11/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre Receives National Endowment for the Arts’ Award (Pittsburgh, PA – January 11, 2023) Prime Stage Theatre is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $10,000 Grant for Arts Projects from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This grant is one of 1,251 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling nearly $28.8 million that were announced by the NEA as part of its first round of fiscal year 2023 grants.

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01/07/2023 - Prime Stage Theatre Presents Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad (Pittsburgh, PA – January 7, 2023) Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad is based on her true story adapted by Douglas Jones and directed by Linda Haston. The production runs January 20 – 29, 2023 with evening performances at 7:00 pm and matinees at 2:30.

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10/25/2022 - Frankenstein Comes Alive in World Premiere as the story comes alive With the Prime Stage Theatre Production (Pittsburgh, PA – October 24, 2022) Prime Stage Theatre’s new season of Suspense, Hope, and Wonder opens with a classic tale with a new twist. Written over two centuries ago by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein is considered by many as the first true science fiction novel. The story has since become the inspiration for countless film and stage adaptions.

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09/22/2022 - Prime Stage Theatre Announces their 2022-2023 Season of Suspense, Hope and Wonder (Pittsburgh, PA – September 20, 2022) Prime Stage Theatre’s 26th season brings literature to life with new productions, continued partnerships, an expanded Prime Stage Sprouts program and a new installment of our interactive mystery podcast series.

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09/13/2022 - Prime Stage Theatre and Nathan Ruggles - Honored with National Achievement Award - Recognizing Significant Contributions in Audio Description (Pittsburgh, PA – September 6, 2022) Prime Stage Theatre and their audio describer, Nathan Ruggles, are honored to be the recipients of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) 2022 Audio Description Achievement Awards in the Performing Arts/Organization and Performing Arts/Individual category. Prime Stage Theatre and Ruggles were recognized for their continued efforts to develop and present audio described performances that bring literature to life for audiences in the Pittsburgh area.

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05/25/2022 - Prime Stage Theatre Announces A New Theatre Series for Elementary Aged Children and Their Families Opening with The Amazing Lemonade Girl! (Pittsburgh, PA – May 25, 2022) Prime Stage Theatre is proud to announce the new Prime Stage Sprouts Series that opens with The Amazing Lemonade Girl. The production is directed by Allison Weakland and will run June 16 - 19, 2022.

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05/17/2022 - Prime Stage Theatre Announces New Children’s Theater Programming For Elementary Aged Children and Their Families (Pittsburgh, PA – May 3, 2022) Prime Stage Theatre is proud to announce they are expanding their program offerings to include Prime Stage Sprouts. The new programming will bring literature to life for elementary students and their families, as we inspire their imaginations and foster a love of reading with the joy of live theatre.

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05/09/2022 - Popular Pittsburgh - The Prime Stage Theatre Brings Literature to Life - Prime Stage Theatre celebrated its 25th season in 2021. The theatre’s mission is to bring literature to life through theatre, but it doesn’t just stage plays—it provides experiences. The Prime Stage Theatre stages their productions at the New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts on the North Side, and with over 90 productions to date, Popular Pittsburgh wanted to delve deeper into Prime Stage’s unique mission, its history, and the people behind the performances...

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05/06/2022 - onStage Pittsburgh - Prime Stage Theatre Announces New Children’s Theater Programming For Elementary Aged Children and Their Families. Prime Stage announces they are expanding their program offerings to include Prime Stage Sprouts bringing literature to life for elementary students and their families, inspiring their imaginations and fostering a love of reading with the joy of live theatre.

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04/12/2022 - Prime Stage Theatre and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh present a timely theatrical event that will inspire audiences of all ages and across the Globe for Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month Includes Global Classroom Opportunity (Pittsburgh, PA – April 12, 2022) Each year using the power of theatre and partnerships Prime Stage Theatre and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh engage the world in education, understanding and actions against the atrocities of genocide. This year’s enGAGE production is a timely virtual performance of The White Rose which shares the bravery of students and a teacher who sparked a national resistance movement against the evil Nazi regime.

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02/09/2022 - Wrinkle in Time Adapted from the novel by Madeleine L’Engle, by Brian Wongchaowart and Wayne Brinda (Pittsburgh, PA – February 1, 2022) A Wrinkle in Time runs March 4 – 13, 2022 and is adapted from the novel by Madeleine L’Engle by Brian Wongchaowart and Wayne Brinda. Prime Stage Celebrates the 60th anniversary of A Wrinkle In Time “With our season slogan ‘Beyond the Imagination’ this production takes you on a journey through space reflecting light and dark, good and evil, along with growth and inspiration. This is the 60th anniversary of the book being published,” said Wayne Brinda, Prime Stage Theatre, Producing Artistic Director.

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10/18/2021 - Prime Stage Theatre Opens their 25th Season with KARLOFF The Man and The Monster on November 5, 2021 (Pittsburgh, PA – October 18, 2021) Prime Stage Theatre is eager and excited to get back to live performance again at the New Hazlett Theater on November 5th with KARLOFF The Man and The Monster written by Randy Browser, directed by Art DeConciliis and starring David Nackman as Karloff.

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09/02/2021 - Prime Stage Theatre Announces Rescheduling of First Production of Their 25th Season (Pittsburgh, PA – August 31, 2021) After a successful Season of Prime Online, which was a series of one-actor plays streaming during the pandemic Prime Stage Theatre is eager to get back to live performance again at the New Hazlett Theater.

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7/12/2021 - Prime Stage Theatre Announces Their 25th Anniversary Season Exploring the Theme of Beyond the Imagination (Pittsburgh, PA) After a successful series of one-actor plays during the pandemic that were presented to a limited and safely-spaced audience and live streamed as far away as Rwanda and South Africa, Prime Stage Theatre is eager to get back to live performance again at the New Hazlett Theater. The 25th Anniversary season will explore the theme of Beyond the Imagination.

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4/17/2021 - Prime Stage Theatre and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh -Honors Genocide Awareness Month providing Education and Learning Resources for Teachers, Kids and Adults “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” said Nelson Mandela. (Pittsburgh, PA – April 17, 2021) Prime Stage Theatre and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh is aware of the challenges teachers face daily and they are excited about bringing literature to life remotely with free at-home learning resources and an innovative global classroom opportunity.

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3/26/2021 - Miracle in Rwanda - Based on the true story of Immaculée Ilibagiza - Live Streaming Saturday, April 10 - Recorded performances April 16-26, 2021 (Pittsburgh, PA – March 22, 2021) The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and Prime Stage Theater are proud to present an original production of Miracle in Rwanda in honor of Genocide Awareness Month.

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2/17/2021 - Mystery Theatre Podcast Returns with “The Play’s the Things” (Pittsburgh, PA – February 17, 2021) Pittsburgh’s own Lawrence C. Connolly brings us Season 2 of Prime Stage Theatre’s Mystery Theatre with “The Play’s the Things.” With a format similar to the classic old time radio shows Connolly reunites the cast of eccentric characters featured in the previous season’s five-act podcast “A Knavish Piece of Work.”

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2/9/2021 - PRIME STAGE THEATRE PRESENTS Sharing the Truth About Sojourner Truth - A live intimate conversation with the 5th generation grandsons of Sojourner Truth (Pittsburgh, PA – February 9, 2021) Prime Stage Theatre announced that they will be chatting with the 5th generation grandson of Sojourner Truth-Cory Mcliechey, and family historian, Lateef “Cal” Calloway. Also, on the session will be Wayne Brinda, Prime Stage Theatre’s co-founder and Producing Artistic Director, Linda Haston, the production’s director and Delana Flowers, the actress portraying Sojourner Truth.

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11/23/2020 - PRIME STAGE THEATRE PRESENTS SOJOURNER (Performances available with Closed captions and audio description for recorded performances only. Sensory Inclusive with a social story included on the web site).

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11/23/2020 - PRIME STAGE THEATRE PRESENTS ONE CHRISTMAS CAROL An amazing theatrical holiday imaginative experience for the whole family! (Pittsburgh, PA – November 22, 2020) On December 11, 2020, Prime Stage Theatre will present a virtual live-stream performance of One Christmas Carol adapted by Douglas H. Baker from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

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10/26/2020 - EINSTEIN, A STAGE PORTRAIT PRIME STAGE’S AWARD WINNING ONE-MAN PRODUCTION (Pittsburgh, PA – November 2, 2020) This award winning dramalogue, Einstein, A Stage Portrait written by Willard Simms and directed by Wayne Brinda, Prime Stage’s Producing Artistic Director, will take the audience past the genius who developed the theory of relativity down to the deeply human side of the man. Simms touches on the private, personal side of this genius who forever changed the way we look at the universe.

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9/29/2020 - Prime Stage Theatre Celebrates World Sight Day on October 8 and Recognizes the Individuals that Help the Blind to “See” (Pittsburgh, PA – September 29, 2020) As we celebrate World Sight Day on October 8 we want to recognize those who help the blind to see — Audio Describers.

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9/22/2020 - PRIME STAGE THEATER PRESENTS MYSTERY THEATRE PODCAST BY ACCLAIMED SCI-FY/MYSTERY AUTHOR LAWRENCE C. CONNOLLY (Pittsburgh, PA – September 22, 2020) Over the last quarter century, Pittsburgh’s Prime Stage Theatre has brought award-winning educational plays to schools and theatres across the region. This fall their stage settings expand into the psychological realm, when the Prime Stage Mystery Theatre podcast premieres online Oct. 1.

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08/22/2020 - VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES FOR THE FALL (Pittsburgh, PA - August 22, 2020) Prime Stage Theatre is pleased to announce our upcoming virtual performances for the fall – perfect for the digital age and the current COVID-19 quarantine! Our fall season will bring you three amazing shows in the comfort of your own home. As with all Prime Stage performances we are striving to make our online performances accessible to all. Information regarding accessibility will be available for each performance.

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01/27/2020 - Prime Stage Theatre is Certified Sensory Inclusive - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KultureCity has partnered with Prime Stage Theatre to make all of the programs and productions they host to be Sensory Inclusive. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with sensory issues that attend Prime Stage Theatre performances. Prime Stage Theatre is the first and only theater company in the Pittsburgh area to attain this certification.<

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05/14/2019 - Theatre Communications Group Website: Know a Theatre: Prime Stage of Pittsburgh - This 23-year-old theatre company brings classroom curricula and literature to life onstage. PITTSBURGH: The Steel City is filled with year-round activities for football fans and culture enthusiasts alike. There are three rivers that offer cruises and waterfront biking trails, and countless entertainment offerings.

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04/08/2019 - Press Release - Prime Stage Theatre to present three performances of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on May 10 & 11 with accessibility accommodations for patrons - (Pittsburgh, PA - April 5, 2019) Prime Stage Theatre will present performances of William Shakespeare’s well-known comedy Twelfth Night that will offer accommodations for individuals with hearing and visual challenges on two evenings in May.

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03/20/2019 - Press Release - Prime Stage Theatre to end 2018-2019 season with Shakespeare comedy Twelfth Night, May 3–12 at the New Hazlett Theater - 2019 Pittsburgh Public Theater Shakespeare Monologue winner Carolyn Jerz of Greensburg cast as Viola - (PITTSBURGH, PA – March 20, 2019) Prime Stage Theatre, a Pittsburgh theater organization that presents professionally produced plays based on works of classic and contemporary works of literature, will commence its 23rd consecutive season on a humorous note with one of William Shakespeare’s mostbeloved comedies, Twelfth Night.

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02/21/2019 - Press Release - Legendary Mirabal sisters, whose story will be told in Prime Stage Theatre’s production “In the Time of the Butterflies” next month, featured on segment of “Badass Women in History” web series - Daughter of opposition leader, Minou Tavárez Mirabal to visit Pittsburgh March 8 - 10 - (PITTSBURGH, PA - February 21, 2019) Minerva, Maria Teresa and Pátria Mirabal, the teenage sisters who went from living comfortable middle-class lives in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s to starting and leading a revolt again brutal dictator Rafael Trujillo using the code name “the Butterflies,” have had their story told as part of the online documentary series “Badass Women in History.”

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01/23/2019 - Press Release - Prime Stage Theatre's March production of In the Time of the Butterflies features cast of Pittsburgh-based Latinx actors and director "Pittsburgh is fortunate to have a wealth of Latinx talent," says Wayne Brinda, Prime Stage co-founder and producing artistic director
On both days of a recent winter weekend, director Ricardo Vila-Roger sat behind a desk in Prime Stage Theatre’s West End studio reviewing headshots and resumes and watching intently as dozens of professional Pittsburgh actors auditioned from script sides that featured dialogue in both English and Spanish. There was no language barrier, though. Like Vila-Roger, all the actors were Latinx in one form or other.

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10/30/2018 - Press Release - Prime Stage Theatre will observe a moment of silence this Saturday, November 3 to honor the victims of Saturday’s tragic shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
The silence will be observed by cast members, crew and audience prior to the 8:00p.m. opening night performance of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men at the New Hazlett Theatre Center for the Performing Arts on the North Side. “Our opening night performance will be dedicated to the memory of those we lost on Saturday, and we join all of Pittsburgh in standing firmly against hate, violence and persecution of every kind.”

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9/22/2018 - Press Release - Pittsburgh native, Hollywood actor returning home to play starring role in Prime Stage Theatre’s Of Mice and Men, November 2 to 11
Pittsburgh, PA - September 20, 2018 — Prime Stage Theatre is pleased to announce that the lead role of George Milton—one of two friends traveling across California during the Great Depression in November’s season opener, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men—will be played by western PA native and Allegheny College alumnus Corey Rieger.

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7/17/2018 - Press Release - Steinbeck, Shakespeare and an NEA Big Read production: Prime Stage Theatre announces 22nd season, opening in November 2018 (PITTSBURGH, PA - July 18, 2018) Prime Stage Theatre, a Pittsburgh theater organization that presents professionally produced stage plays based on works of classic and contemporary literature, announces its 2018–2019 season of productions, all of which will be presented at the New Hazlett Theater Center for the Performing Arts on the North Courage.

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4/17/2018 - Press Release - 13-year-old Canonsburg actress Madeline Dalesio snags lead role in Prime Stage Theatre’s The Diary of Anne Frank, running May 4-13 at the New Hazlett Theater (PITTSBURGH, PA - April 17, 2018) on a recent Sunday, Madeline Dalesio—hair pulled back, dressed in a long skirt and a red sweater emblazoned with the Star of David—was sitting on the floor in a dark attic-like room in a West End building, writing notes in a diary by the light of a candle as a video crew captured the scene from two different angles.

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4/3/2018 - Press Release - Prime Stage Theatre to present stage adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank (PITTSBURGH, PA - April 3, 2018) Prime Stage Theatre, a professional Pittsburgh theater organization that produces and presents plays based on works of literature, announces that it will present The Diary of Anne Frank as the third and final stage production of its 2017-2018 season. The play will run from May 4 to 13, 2018 at the New Hazlett Theater Center for the Performing Arts on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

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2/15/018 - Press Release - Dr. Maya Angelou’s family to celebrate her 90th birthday in Pittsburgh March 10 & 11. Events include free discussion and book-signing at Cranberry Barnes & Noble, opening of Prime Stage Theatre’s premiere of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. (PITTSBURGH, PA - February 15, 2018) just a few weeks before what would been her 90th birthday, Prime Stage Theater is presenting the regional premiere of the first-ever stage production based on Dr. Maya Angelou's bestselling book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

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