Greg Kerestan works in the greater Pittsburgh theatrical scene as an actor, musician, librettist, lyricist and composer. His musical "Tink!" was a Next Link full production selection in the 2016 New York Musical festival, and his musical "The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari" won Best New Musical or Play in the BWW Pittsburgh 2022 audience choice awards. When not seeing shows or writing shows, Greg works in government social services.
Any long-time theatregoer will have horror stories of audiences that got too enthusiastic at a show with well-known music, especially jukebox musicals made up of mostly pre-existing pop tunes. I've known people to hum or outright sing along, whoop, cheer and scream like they're at a concert, or even get up and dance in the aisles. At most shows, this behavior is frowned upon by other audience members, or suppressed by ushers. However, at 'Motown,' the Berry Gordy bio-musical, this engaged behavior is encouraged- hell, it's part of the show. You see, audiences at 'Motown' fill a triplicate role: first, the traditional audience at a play, watching the events unfold through the fourth wall; second, the (in-world) audience watching a Motown retrospective show; finally, the various real, historical audiences at performances by Motown artists, from Parisians getting to hear the first international performances by The Supremes, to a spontaneously integrated audience in the Deep South, at a Motown show interrupted by gunshots.
The legendary hard rock Christmas spectacular brings two shows for the price of one, plus lasers, dragons and real fake snow.
Ed Dixon's world premiere production attempts a whole new genre- the intellectual farce.
It's not the movie you loved to hate- this 'Newsies' is a whole new take on Disney's cult classic.
If you think you know what the Knights who Formerly Said 'Ni' say now, you may be in for a pleasant surprise at the CLO's irreverent comedy.
Journey back to the roots of country and rock and roll, as the CLO tears down the fences between revue, book musical and concert.
In Michael Frayn's famous meta-farce, you'll laugh, you'll cringe, you'll laugh some more, you'll cringe some more.
Brilliant direction and unforgettable performances compensate for uneven script in Disney's more grown-up play with music.
There's something for just about anyone at the tragicomic new play by Michael Hollinger. But is there anything for everyone?
Colleen Petrucci's production at the Byham Theatre brings the zany, anything-can-happen edge that Dr. Seuss himself preferred. But does the show work as a show?
No celebrities, no turntable, (almost) no opera- Ken Gargaro's 'Les Miserables' takes the iconic musical back to its rock opera roots.
In a tour-de-force performance, Teagle F. Bougere brings to life the entire Trojan War with only the power of storytelling- but channeling such a story has its price.
This Saint Patrick's Day weekend, skip the riots and go see the national tour of the little musical that could, for a tribute to the modern Irish tradition of producing great singer-songwriters.
When is a concert not JUST a concert? Performances by Brit Floyd blur the line between music, multimedia. theatre and performance art.
Nothing says love and chocolate like live music, striptease and... PVC pipe? It can only be The Skivvies.
All rise for the world premiere of a new, semi-interactive musical comedy! Does Jackie's case hold up, or is it overturned?
Calling all performers- Pittsburgh's premier musical theatre company is hiring for a spectacular summer!
Quantum Theatre's mysterious memory play takes audiences to Rome and beyond in a quest for answers.
Bobby's coming over for dinner, but you've never seen him like this before.
After ten years at the top of its game, Stephen Schwartz's smash musical continues to defy gravity and expectations.
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