Under fluorescent lights in a studio at Pittsburgh Musical Theater in the West End, Christine Laitta starts a rehearsal by asking a group of women to run through a song based on a VP candidate’s comment about …
Oh, wait, that’s off the record.
Later on, Laitta reworks a part of the script to address …
Oops, that’s off the record, too.
Damn, this is hard.
OK, the whole thing is “Off the Record,” as in the annual musical satire of Pittsburgh news and newsmakers presented by three unions — United Steelworkers, Pittsburgh Newspaper Guild/CWA and SAG-AFTRA Ohio-Pittsburgh. To get the scoop and the laughs, you’ll have to come to the Byham Theater on Thursday, Oct. 17, and see the show yourself.
Proceeds benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Directed and choreographed by veteran Pittsburgh performer and teacher Laitta, “Off the Record XXIV” is subtitled “God, Save the Burgh!” and tells the story of a flood of biblical proportions about to hit our fair city. It will be up to Pittsburghers, with an assist from labor unions, to save the day.
Past performances were known to mercilessly skewer politicians and the state of politics, but this year is a little different.
The theme “was a combination of the severe weather happening across the country and climate change. We wanted to stay away from the political climate so close to the election,” said “Off the Record” producer Sharon Eberson.
Back at rehearsal, Laitta said, “This year we deliberately leaned away from politics. And we usually have a very political component. … I was a strong proponent of going back to the original way that ‘Off the Record’ was written, which was sort of a pick-me-up for people.
“I don’t think it’s ever been a divisive show, it’s just that we decided with the culture of the climate of the nation that we could still poke fun, there could still be a little political [material] but lean more into how Pittsburghers deal with things, our unique idiosyncrasies and things like that. And lean a little bit away from political,” she said.
The show’s organizers want to make clear they aren’t making light of recent natural disasters and the effects they have had. A note in the program states: “We acknowledge that our tongue-in-cheek story of a flood comes at a time when real-life flooding has caused devastation for our neighbors to the south.” Audiences are given the opportunity to donate to help the victims and support relief efforts through The Pittsburgh Foundation.
This is the fourth year Laitta has directed the show, but she performed in it previously and has always been the choreographer. “I love this kind of comedy. I feel like … it’s one of my strengths, seeing the absurd in a way, and this show’s been near and dear to my heart because I’ve done it for so long,” she said.
The cast is a combination of professional theater people and those who aren’t, along with familiar faces from local TV and some students from Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, where Laitta teaches.
“[We have] people who aren’t maybe working professionals but love theater. I think that’s the charm of the show, that it isn’t just professionals, it is higgledy-piggledy and people don’t know their left from their right …. I think that’s part of the fun, watching people who don’t normally sing and dance go at it 100%,” she said.
Many of those same folks return year after year, just for the love of it.
“Performers are all volunteers; no one gets a cent. They all get an after-party, and I bring water,” Eberson said with a laugh. “They give their time and give their all. Anytime anyone has performed in our show, they become our family.”
“Everyone steps up, I have to say. It is so heartwarming to me personally and as part of ‘Off the Record’ for people to give their time and everybody has a day job,” she said.
People also come out in support of their unions, she added.
“Off the Record” is good entertainment for a good cause. Since it began, it has raised almost $800,000 for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, scholarships and other charitable organizations.
In addition to raising money for the Food Bank and paying tribute to the area’s unions, this year’s event will honor award-winning broadcast legend Bill Hillgrove, the retired Voice of the Steelers who continues to call games for Pitt football and men’s basketball.
Featured prebuttalist will be Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, who has some comedy chops people may not be aware of, Eberson said.
And serving as emcee, for the 20th year, will be the very funny Ken Rice, KDKA-TV news anchor.
People expecting to be entertained won’t be disappointed.
“I think the audience that comes are up on the news and think that satirizing it is cool,” Eberson said. “People … feel like they are in on something.”
Doors to the Byham open at 6:30 p.m. for preshow mingling in the lobby, with free treats that have been donated and a cash bar. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $80 (VIP), $50 and $30 at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Karen is a copy editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but she's currently on strike. Email her at kcarlin@unionprogress.com.