Can’t-Miss Events in April in Pittsburgh
Save the dates for concerts, art exhibits, dance performances & more.
PHOTO COURTESY STEEL CITY CON
Best Bet
It’s not just about the autograph. Sure, you’ll leave Steel City Con with a signature from the likes of Richard Dreyfuss, Mara Wilson or Dolph Lundgren, and you’ll probably hang it on the wall for decades. But what you’re getting at the Monroeville Convention Center is a moment of time with someone you’ve been watching forever. Whatever your obsession, you’ll likely find an icon at the three-day convention; this edition includes the likes of Nancy Cartwright, the iconic voice of Bart Simpson, a reunion of cast members from the cult favorite series “Dexter” and dozens more. The convention will also welcome more vendors than you can shake a lightsaber at, host costume contests and celebrity Q&As, and welcome artists from near and far. —Sean Collier
Monroeville Convention Center
March 31-April 2
steelcitycon.com
PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY AND EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE
April 4-9
Benedum Center
“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” is coming to the Benedum stage to tell the story of “The Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Turner, one of the world’s best-selling artists, can be considered a woman who dared to defy the bounds of age, gender or race. Through the lens of her hit songs, see Tina rise from her humble “Nutbush City Limits” roots to become simply “The Best.” This stage musical is partially based on Turner’s memoir “I, Tina: My Life Story.”
April 7 & 8
Pittsburgh Improv
Have you, like most TV viewers, become obsessed with the ABC sitcom “Abbott Elementary?” Then you’re in luck. Janelle James, the comedic genius who plays the school’s wisecracking Principal Ava Coleman, is bringing her stand-up comedy to the Pittsburgh Improv. Featured as one of Variety’s 10 Comedians to Watch in 2020, you may also know James from her comedy podcast “You In Danger Gurl.”
April 19
Club Cafe
You may remember singer-songwriter Jill Sobule from the 1995 self-titled album that gave her a prominent place in the mainstream with songs such as “Supermodel” and “I Kissed a Girl.” She’s released numerous albums since then, with subject matter that spans from shoplifting and reproduction to LGBTQ issues and the French Resistance. This over-21 show at Club Cafe in such an intimate setting is bound to be an emotional roller coaster.
“MARCH ’68” | COURTESY JFILM FESTIVAL
April 20-30
Various Cinemas
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the JFilm Festival, bringing the best in Jewish-themed films to Pittsburgh. Audiences will have 11 days to immerse themselves in 18 feature films all rooted in Jewish culture. There will also be opportunities to get to know the filmmakers during panel discussions and after parties.
PHOTO BY JINGZI ZHAO
April 26-May 14
O’Reilly Theater
Let’s take a road trip! Figuratively speaking, that is. The world premiere of “Young Americans” is a stage play about immigrants Joe and Jenny, who drive from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Oregon, before they trade nuptials. Fast forward to 20 years later, when Joe takes that same trip, dropping his daughter Lucy off at college. Playwright Lauren Yee weaves a humorous story about navigating a country that’s not your own and sharing family history, no matter how painful it may be.
April 28
Jergel’s
Six degrees of Kevin Bacon is about to get a whole lot easier. Get out to Jergel’s to experience a sound the Bacon Brothers call Forosoco — a blend of folk, rock, soul and country. Kevin and his brother Michael have been creating and performing music together for nearly three decades. Kevin has proven to be an enduring talent on the film screen; let’s see what he can do with a guitar.
April 29-May 21
City Theatre
Kady is a college basketball superstar, prepared to help lead her team through the NCAA Women’s Championships. But March Madness falls on Ramadan — and she can’t tell her devout Muslim mother that she won’t be fasting. With “American Fast,” Canadian-born and of Egyptian descent playwright Kareem Fahmy asks if winning is worth disappointing your family and transgressing your religion.
