Travel to the South Side on a Friday night and it is a happening place, boasting an array of entertainment, from crowded biker bars with welcome signs outlined in blinking Christmas lights to psychedelic shops that sell funky items from the long-ago groovy era of the sixties. Most of the activity takes place on East Carson Street, the main street in the South Side. However, on this past Friday, 1300 Bingham Street, located a block down from Carson, joined the weekend party as the City Theatre kicked off its 2005-2006 theatre season with a grand celebration theme of "Make It Yours."

Described on their website as "Pittsburgh's most adventurous theatre" and "a professional not-for-profit performing arts organization," City Theatre certainly proved that they know how to create an energetic atmosphere both on and off the stage.

Guests were warmly welcomed into City Theatre's main building, a former church that was bought 17 years ago and renovated to produce an artsy interior that includes a large café, perfect for hosting pre-show cocktails or post-show receptions, and a 270-seat mainstage theatre that can be transformed into either a three-quarter or a proscenium stage. Although City Theatre was established in 1975, the organization has been in a flurry of expansion in the past few years. After purchasing and renovating the church, City Theatre expanded down the block with the 100-seat Lester Hamburg Studio and the Charles Morris Building, which holds rehearsal rooms and paint, prop, and costume shops.

The hub of the party was set in the café, where over five local vendors, including the Gypsy Café and Nakama, delighted the crowd with flavorful appetizers. A constant energy sparked the room as theatre-loving patrons sipped their wine, nibbled on sushi, and discussed the upcoming season.

At 7 and 9 p.m., guests were invited upstairs to the main theatre for a brief performance. A few City Theatre staff members gave speeches, and a short film reviewed the organization's history, its love for producing new works, and Pittsburghers' impressions of the theatre. Three performances topped off the showing. First, a gospel song, sung a cappella, displayed the soul-stirring music from the season's first production, Crowns. Next up was an energetic monologue from Honus and Me, a play that centers on a young boy who finds the most valuable baseball card in the world. The performances wrapped up with an entertaining Hearts Are Wild number, during which an actor impersonates Elvis.

Party-goers then had the opportunity to explore all of City Theatre's campus on hour-long tours. The tour began in the Hamburg Studio, which is currently set for Late Night Catechism, a one-woman show that turns the theatre into a catechism class. "Sister," one of the actorsfrom the production, gave tour guests a brief glimpse into the hilarious show by interacting with the audience and telling stories about her character's days in Catholic school. She wrapped up her speech by giving younger audience members glow-in-the-dark rosaries.

The scene shop was the next stop, where the witty director of Tuesdays with Morrie discussed set design and dressing. Skipping the rehearsal hall, which was unavailable because City Theatre was preparing for a production even on the night of their own party, the tour continued into the Charles Morris Building's paint shop where two scenes from the upcoming shows, Talking Heads and Opus, were performed. These scenes once again demonstrated the range of talent the theatre calls upon.

Next, guests were dazzled in the costume shop, where the Costume Shop Manager/Supervisor displayed hats from Crowns. The tour came to a close in the mainstage, with discussions of set design, this season's shows, and ticket packages.

City Theatre will be performing eight productions during the upcoming year. These performances will range from comedy to drama and straight plays to musicals, but all have the unique touch of City Theatre, an organization focused on sharing its strong passion for the arts with the city of Pittsburgh.

City Theatre's season is as follows:

Sept. 22 - Oct. 16:  Crowns, by Regina Taylor
Nov. 1 - 27:  Sister's Christmas Catechism, by Maripat Donovan
Nov. 17 - Dec. 11:  Tuesdays with Morrie, by Jeffrey Hatcher
Jan. 26 - Feb. 19:  Hearts Are Wild, music and lyrics by George Griggs, book by Darrah Cloud
Feb. 16 - Apr. 2:  Pyretown, by John Belluso
Mar. 17 - Apr. 9:  Opus, by Michael Hollinger
Apr. 13 - May 28:  Talking Heads, by Alan Bennett
May 4 - 28:  Honus and Me, by Steven Dietz

Student ticket prices are $15 in advance, per show. There are several ticket packages available, including The 3-Play Way, which allows audience members to choose a trio of plays that accommodate their liking and schedule.

For more information, go to www.citythearecompany.org or call 412-431-CITY (2489).

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