Drive-ins are universally known. Well, how about a drive-in?
It’s a way Pittsburgh’s City Theatre is reinventing its 2020-2021 season. The updated schedule includes a live drive-in as well as virtual content. Without this replacement in planning, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to have a season amid the uncertainty surrounding the covid-19 pandemic.
The City Theatre begins its 46th season on September 10 with an event: the Drive-In Community Arts Festival in Hazelwood Green, with artists organized through 8 other arts organizations.
It will continue through “Frankenstein” through Manuel Cinema for a long time. All programming will be played live on the level while projecting on an adjacent screen in a parking lot next to Factory 19 in Hazelwood Green, the first of an LTV Coke Works.
He will be the City Theatre’s first face-to-face performance since mid-March, when the fitness government imposes small indoor gatherings.
“One of our very first steps this spring was to develop an internal Safety Committee representing every aspect of the City Theatre operation. We sought out the advice and counsel of experts from the medical field,” said managing director James McNeel.
“The drive-in concept temporarily has the apparent and exciting maximum path ahead, as it provides a low-risk environment for artists and our customers, who will be safe inside their vehicles,” McNeel said. “It’s a real testament to our team that we’ve figured out a way to get our backs while following the incredibly vital fitness rules needed to defeat this pandemic.”
The Drive-In Arts Festival in Hazelwood Green includes 12 nights of Pittsburgh-based programming. A full schedule of occasions and tickets will be available on August 17 for City Theatre subscribers and August 24 for the general public.
“As the structure continues at Hazelwood Green, we are pleased to welcome visitors to the site and host this exclusive festival experience,” said Todd Stern, Hazelwood Green Project Director. “Hazelwood Green’s vision, and specifically the public square, which will be completed in the fall of 2020, encompasses collaboration with local artists and arts organizations.
The festival will be followed by the opening of the original season, “Frankenstein” through Manuel Cinema at the drive-in until October 18.
“The thrilling theatrical character of Manuel Cinema’s ‘Frankenstein’ is an exclusive rendition of Mary Shelley’s classic, the best for an autumn night at the drive-in,” said City Theatre artistic director Marc Masterson.
“With a live score that opposes the original shadows of a silent, soft-to-tell film, it’s a ‘Frankenstein’ like no other. We look forward to sharing this family production circle with Pittsburgh.”
The season will continue with the world premiere of the Christmas musical “Claws Out”, an interactive Christmas production created especially for the virtual scene.
The city theater hopes to return to normal performances in early 2021. The organization said all scheduling decisions will be based on the recommendation of CDC and state and local fitness departments.
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