Pittsburgh CLO’s Once is a sweet, if flimsy, love letter to music

Theater | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper: In 2011, the musical successfully completed the delicate balancing act of telling a small, human story while managing to be a Broadway crowd-pleaser. It’s not an uncommon challenge in theater. Unquestionably one of the most intimate art forms, theater frequently occupies opulent spaces — like the 3,000-seat Benedum — which were built for spectacle, not intimacy. Is it Once’s fault if the story it chooses to tell is a little too small to fill that space?

Brigadoon

Pittsburgh in the Round: There are some musicals that people want to go see for the clever lyrics, thrilling plot, and complex characters. Then there are some that people want to see to enjoy pretty dancing and singing. And since the romantic and magical Brigadoon falls into the latter category, it’s nice to be able to report that Pittsburgh CLO’s production of it was indeed very pretty and full of talent in the dancing and singing departments.

The Full Monty

Pittsburgh in the Round: Nailed It! is a competition show in which amateur bakers compete to win fast cash by recreating intricate desserts originally crafted by professional bakers. What they end up with is usually more of a hilarious fail than a true culinary feat, hence the ironic title.