Atkins as The Chief at the O'Reilly

Contact Margie Romero, Communications Manager at Pittsburgh Public Theater
412.316.8200 ext. 707 or mromero@ppt.org
Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents
The Chief

The last chance at The O’Reilly to see Tom Atkins in the performance of a lifetime
as Pittsburgh Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney, Sr.

PITTSBURGH (Dec. 9, 2013) New audiences this fall were introduced to stellar actor Tom Atkins when he starred as the Stage Manager in Our Town, which began Pittsburgh Public Theater’s MASTERPIECE SEASON. This Jan. 2 – 5 will be the final opportunities to see him at The O’Reilly in the performance of a lifetime as Pittsburgh Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. in The Chief.

Written by Rob Zellers & Gene Collier and directed by Ted Pappas, The Chief is the best-selling show inPittsburgh Public Theater history. The Chief returns to the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in the heart of Downtown’s Cultural District, for six performances only. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org. The Chief is generously supported by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Set in Mr. Rooney’s office at Three Rivers Stadium in 1976, this will be the play’s ninth production at The O’Reilly, where it premiered in 2003. “A triumph of the show is that it’s a Pittsburgh history lesson of growing up Irish on the North Side, insider politics, and sports fandom disguised as entertainment,” said the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last year. “It’s mind-boggling to watch such a hugely talented man work the crowd as brilliantly as Atkins does here,” said Pittsburgh City Paper.

The design team for The Chief is Anne Mundell (Scenic & Costumes), Phil Monat (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Fred Noel is the Production Stage Manager and Adrienne Wells is the Assistant Stage Manager.

The Chief Performance Schedule
Thurs., Jan. 2 at 8 pm. Fri., Jan. 3 at 8 pm. Sat., Jan. 4 at 2 & 8 pm and Sun., Jan. 5 at 2 & 7 pm.
Ticket prices: $48 & $65. Students and age 26 and younger $15.75 with valid ID.
For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Pro Football Hall of Fame Debuts in Pittsburgh

History Center To Debut Pro Football Hall of Fame Exhibition This Fall

The largest traveling exhibition ever created about the history of professional football is coming to Pittsburgh!

Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will make its world premiere at the Senator John Heinz History Center on Oct. 6, 2012 through Jan. 6, 2013 before embarking on a national traveling tour.    

Developed in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gridiron Glory will focus on the history of pro football, from its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its rise as one of the world's most beloved sports.
 
Included in the exhibit are more than 200 football artifacts, rare photos, and one-of-a-kind documents from the Pro Football Hall of Fame collections, many of which have never been seen outside of the Hall of Fame.

Highlights include:
The 1892 Allegheny Athletic Association accounting ledger featuring Pudge Heffelfinger, known as "Pro Football's Birth Certificate"

Knute Rockne 1919 Helmet

Artifacts from pro football's pioneers, such as Jim Thorpe's Canton Bulldogs sideline blanket, Knute Rockne's 1919 helmet (above), Red Grange's items from the historic 1925 Chicago Bears barnstorming tour, Johnny "Blood" McNally's canvas football pants, Sammy Baugh's helmet, and Bobby Layne's jersey.

Items from the golden era of pro football, including Jim Brown's jersey, Vince Lombardi's coaching diagrams, Dick Butkus' helmet, Johnny Unitas' jersey, Tom Dempsey's kicking shoe, and Tom Landry's iconic coaching hat.

Highlights from the NFL's greatest running backs, such as footballs from O.J. Simpson and Eric Dickerson, and jerseys from Tony Dorsett, Walter Payton, Bo Jackson, and Barry Sanders.

Artifacts from record-breaking quarterbacks, including John Elway's jersey from the historic 1986 championship season, Joe Montana's Super Bowl XXIII MVP football, and Dan Marino's career yardage and pass completions record footballs.

Items from historic receivers, such as Jerry Rice's helmet and career touchdown reception football and New England Patriots (and Woodland Hills High School graduate) Rob Gronkowski's jersey from his historic 2011 season.

Joe Greene's Game-used Helmet

Gridiron Glory will also feature unique items from Hall of Fame Steelers, including:
Art Rooney's elevator console from the "Immaculate Reception"
Franco Harris' cleats from his legendary career
Joe Greene's game-used helmet
Lynn Swann's 1978 Monday Night Football game ball
Jack Lambert's jersey from his final season

For more information on Gridiron Glory, please stay tuned to www.heinzhistorycenter.org.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact History Center fundraising counsel Audrey Brourman at 412-454-6404 or albrourman@heinzhistorycenter.org.


Senator John Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-454-6000
www.heinzhistorycenter.org

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Meet Local Authors at History Center's Holiday Book Fair

Media Contacts:
Ned Schano

412-454-6382
nschano@heinzhistorycenter.org
Brady Smith

412-454-6459

bmsmith@heinzhistorycenter.org


History Center's Holiday Book Fair Features More Than 50 Local Authors

- Gridiron and Steel documentary by local filmmaker to be shown at sports-themed event -


WHAT: To help kick off the holiday season, the Senator John Heinz History Center will host its eighth annual Holiday Book Fair on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visitors will have the chance to purchase signed copies of books and mingle with more than 50 local authors.

Several authors who are experts on Pittsburgh sports will attend, including:

Art Rooney, Jr., son of Pittsburgh Steelers founder

Andy Russell, legendary Steelers linebacker

Kelly Mazeroski, daughter-in-law of Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski

Jim Rooker, former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster

Jim Wexell, Steelers beat writer, Steelcityinsider.com


Other notable authors attending include:

Dave Crawley, KDKA-TV personality

Rob Rogers, cartoonist, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gwyn Cready, paranormal romance author

Brian O'Neill, lifestyle columnist, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

John Brewer, local African American historian

Eleanor Schano, broadcast media pioneer

Beth Caldwell, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Professional Women

Local filmmaker Jeff Sewald's award-winning documentary "Gridiron and Steel", which captures the connection between football and the region's industrial heritage, will be shown throughout the Book Fair.


The Holiday Book Fair is free and open to the public; regular admission prices apply for History Center exhibits.


WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 4

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

WHERE: Senator John Heinz History Center  5th floor

1212 Smallman Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

--More information can be found at www.heinzhistorycenter.org--
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