A Peek Into Private Lives

Director Ted Pappas closes Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Red Hot season with Noël Coward’s comedy masterpiece about the lunacy of love.

As a fitting finale to its Red Hot season, Pittsburgh Public Theater presentsNoël Coward’scomedy masterpiece, Private Lives. Directed by Ted Pappas, Private Lives runs May 24 – June 24, 2012 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in the heart of Downtown’s Cultural District.

Private Lives is set in 1930. It begins on adjoining terraces of a chic French resort where two English couples are honeymooning. Amanda (Victoria Mack) is with her new husband Victor (Laird Mackintosh) and Elyot (Michael Brusasco) is with his new wife Sibyl (Amanda Leigh Cobb). Very quickly we learn that Amanda and Elyot used to be married. When the two discover the situation, surprising sparks fly. Act Two is set in a Paris apartment on the Avenue Montaigne, complete with French maid (Elena Alexandratos). Here, Coward’s trademark combination of acerbic wit, high style, psychological insight, and hilarious high-jinks goes full throttle. Anyone who has ever been swept away by a wildly impossible romance will love Private Lives.

The design team is James Noone (Scenic), Andrew B. Marlay (Costumes), Phil Monat (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Don Wadsworth is the Dialect Coach, Randy Kovitz is the Fight Director, Casting is by McCorkle Casting, Fred Noel is the Production Stage Manager, and Adrienne Wells is the Assistant Stage Manager.

About the Playwright

Noël Coward (1899-1973) was a prolific writer, composer, actor, director, trendsetter, and entertainer extraordinaire. In addition to Private Lives, his most famous plays include The Vortex, Cavalcade, Design for Living, Fallen Angels, Present Laughter, Blithe Spirit, and Hay Fever. His films include This Happy Breed, In Which We Serve, and Brief Encounter. In 1970 he received a special Tony Award for his “multiple and immortal contributions to theater.” The same year he was knighted by the Queen of England for his “services to drama.”

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents

Private Lives
May 24 – June 24, 2012

Performance Schedule

Tues. through Sat. at 8 pm (except Tues., June 19 when the show is at 7 pm).
Sat. at 2 pm (except May 26 & June 2).
There will be an additional 2 pm matinee on Thurs., June 21.
Sun. at 2 & 7 pm (except Sun. June 24 when the final show is at 2 pm)

Press Night is Thursday, May 31.
Opening Night is Friday, June 1.

Ticket Prices

$22 to $55.
$15.75 for students and age 26 and younger with valid ID.
For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org