NEXTpittsburgh – Devotees of The Boss are not the only ones going down to The River this season. Fans of contemporary theater should flock to Aspinwall Riverfront Park to catch Quantum Theatre‘s latest site-specific production of a haunting work by Tony Award-winning English playwright, screenwriter and director Jez Butterworth.
Staging the Pittsburgh premiere of Butterworth’s Olivier Award-winning play, The River, in the new Aspinwall green space, Quantum continues to push the boundaries of live theater.
This evocative nature-shrouded setting will provide the perfect backdrop for a gothic thriller steeped in metaphor and mystery, as audiences will find out what ensues when a man brings his new girlfriend to a remote riverfront cabin in the woods.
Quantum is staging the drama within the site’s indoor, marina dry dock—surrounded by 10 acres of lush landscaping, winding trails, a playground featuring an arresting 30-foot bronze sculpture by Tom Otterness and the intrigue of the flowing Allegheny. As the poetic play unfolds, what is seemingly an homage to the art of trout fishing ends up exploring what is real and what is unreal.
Directed by Adil Mansoor, The River stars Siovhan Christensen and Daina Michelle Griffith. Making his Pittsburgh acting debut in the play will be Andrew Smith.
Want to dine on the docks? Quantum has always known that daring theater pairs well with fabulous cuisine.
The company is teaming up with Aspinwall’s Feast on Brilliant to offer a pre-show hot boxed dinner. Attendees can dine indoors or along the awe-inspiring Allegheny.
Learn more about the play, the playwright and the production at one of Quantum’s engaging special events, such as the Opening/Press Night with a champagne reception (October 7), a Q&A with the cast (October 9), Ladies Night (October 12), a Quantum Quaff wine tasting (October 13) and the Quantum-on-the-Couch discussion (October 22).
