Elizabeth Castonguay

Sep 5, 2023 | pittsburghquarterly.com | Marylynne Pitz |Stuart Sheppard |Douglas Heuck |Elizabeth Castonguay

After his father died and his eldest brother disappeared, James Bryce became, at age 14, the head of a large family. So, he began learning the “art, trade and mystery” of glass blowing at Bakewell, Page & Bakewell in Downtown Pittsburgh. The year was 1827 and by then, the Scottish immigrant had four years of experience because he was 10 when he started working on the shop floor, earning $1.25 a week.

Aug 14, 2023 | pittsburghquarterly.com | Stuart Sheppard |Vicky A. Clark |Elizabeth Castonguay

All photos by Heather Mull. Treasure Treasure- Hamlet (Top)Dereck Walton -Ghost (Bottom) Quantum Theatre presents “Hamlet” Captured at Carrie Furnace on 8/3/2023. In a review of a Shakespeare production several years ago I argued that, as a general rule, it has proven easier to do Shakespeare new rather than well, but with Quantum’s current production of “Hamlet,” director Jeffrey Carpenter has demonstrated that it’s possible to do both.

Jun 26, 2023 | pittsburghquarterly.com | Vicky A. Clark |Stuart Sheppard |Elizabeth Castonguay

Like it or not, the Carnegie International eclipses everything the Carnegie Museum of Art does. Every director has grumbled about how it commandeers all available resources. But it’s a time-honored tradition, still associated 125 years later with the values of founding father Andrew Carnegie. It has survived the vicissitudes of world wars, economic crises, evolving technologies, life and leadership styles, hubris, doubts, and fatigue.

May 31, 2023 | pittsburghquarterly.com | Stuart Sheppard |Elizabeth Castonguay |Vicky A. Clark

There are many reasons to like Kinetic Theatre Company’s “Every Brilliant Thing,” but perhaps the best one is in the way it creates a bonding experience with the audience – rare enough these days — and furthermore, that it does so in a manner that is not political, sentimental, or didactic – the three crutches so many shows depend on in contemporary America.

May 17, 2023 | pittsburghquarterly.com | Stuart Sheppard |Elizabeth Castonguay |Vicky A. Clark

(L to R) Indira Cunningham, Ethan Gwynn, Simon Phillips, Ira Cambric III, Kirstin Chávez.