Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Effective Friday, the 10-screen SouthSide Works Cinemas will be under the management of the newly formed Pittsburgh Cinemas, a division of Cleveland-based JRF Management.

The multiplex, which will continue to be owned by the Pittsburgh-based Soffer Organization, opened in September 2004 under the management of Jenco Cinemas, which no longer exists, according to Pamelyn McMahon, director of marketing for SouthSide Works.

Soffer took over management of the cinemas temporarily while looking for management within the film industry.

Jonathan Forman is the president of Pittsburgh Cinemas and of JRF Management, which operates Cleveland Cinemas in Northeast Ohio. With the addition of SouthSide Works, JRF increases its management holdings from 61 screens to 71.

Contacted at his Cleveland headquarters, Forman said he plans to continue the policy of showing a mix of wide-release commercial pictures and specialty/alternative films.

"We do that at two of our complexes (in Cleveland)," he said, "and we hope to build on that policy there."

He said he was approached by the Soffer Organization some time ago and had an ongoing discussion about running SouthSide Works Cinemas after "visiting a number of times."

The complex will implement a $5 price policy for "Bargain Mondays" effective immediately. Regular prices are $6 for matinees and $8.50 from 6 p.m.

The concession counter will add pastries and specialty coffees. JRF hopes to obtain a liquor license and to run mini-festivals at the complex.

Tim Munsch, the efficient on-site manager of the cinemas from the outset, does not know if he will be retained.

-- Ed Blank

Oaks manager to leave position

Jared Earley, manager of the Oaks Theater in Oakmont, will be leaving his job in September after nearly five years.

At the single-screen suburban site, Earley programmed an eclectic mix of wide-release features, such as the recent "The Devil Wears Prada" and the forthcoming "Scoop," with a regular mix of foreign and independent fare such as the current "Strangers With Candy" and "The Great New Wonderful."

The Oaks, which for decades features lower-priced runs of movies that already had played elsewhere, enjoyed other innovations under Earley's management including the Moonlit Matinees Film Festival of cult movies and Monday night question-and-answer sessions with guest speakers who ordinarily addressed the week's main film attraction.

Most recently Earley programmed the Byham Theater's August film festival.

The Oaks is owned by Meg Burkardt, Cyndi Yount and Marc Serrao. Earley and Burkardt co-own the four-screen Penn Hills Cinemas, for which Earley also has done programming.

Earley says he has no fixed plans for work but is considering opportunities.

-- Ed Blank

Tickets go on sale for Chapelle, Styx, Foreigner

Comedian Dave Chapelle will perform Aug. 13 at the Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Station Square.

Tickets, $57.50--$47.50, go on sale 11 a.m. Saturday Ticketmaster outlets including select Giant Eagle stores.

Also just announced: Styx and Foreigner will perform Sept. 17 at the Chevrolet Amphitheatre. Tickets, $35--$25, go on sale at noon Saturday.

To order: 412-323-1919 or www.livenation.com.

-- Regis Behe

Mellon Jazz sponsors British singer's performance

Tickets for a concert featuring British singer Jamie Cullum on Oct. 3 at the Byham Theater, Downtown, will go on sale at 9 a.m. Friday.

Cullum, whose music spans pop and jazz, is one of the more celebrated British entertainers of recent years, having earned multiple BBC Jazz awards. His appearance is sponsored by Mellon Jazz, the Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and WYEP-FM.

Tickets, $32.50, will be available at the Box Office at Theater Square, Penn Ave., Downtown. By phone: 412-456-6666. Online: www.pgharts.org.

-- Regis Behe

Old Economy Village to open newest exhibit

On Saturday, Old Economy Village in Ambridge, Beaver County, will open "Tracks, Trestles, and Trustees," its newest Visitor Center exhibit.

The village will host a celebration of the opening from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with demonstrations, displays and activities designed for young railroad fans and their families. Visitors can climb aboard the Economy, a 20-foot wooden train, and help create scenery for the model railroad.

"Tracks, Trestles and Trustees" illustrates the development of Harmony Society railroads in Western Pennsylvania. The exhibit explains the relationship between the growth of the railroad system and American industry, and shows how the Harmonists' investments expanded the region's major railroads and manufacturers.

General admission to the village -- $7, $5 for children ages 6-17 and $6 for senior citizens -- covers all activities.

Details: 724-266-4500 or www.oldeconomyvillage.com.

-- Kellie B. Gormly

Tool scheduled to play in Pittsburgh

Perhaps the biggest metal band on the planet, Tool, is making a rare stop in Pittsburgh on Sept. 26, at the Petersen Events Center in Oakland.

The band's latest, "10,000 Days," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in May, proving that the metal-starved masses haven't forgotten them during their long hiatus. The opening band is Isis, continuing Tool's tradition of bringing some of the more exciting new acts in heavy music along for the ride.

Tickets are $42.50-$52.50, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at LiveNation.com or 412-323-1919. Tickets also will be available at the Petersen Events Center box office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday only.

-- Michael Machosky

Bricolage offers surrealist reading

Bricolage will perform a staged reading of "Key To The Field," a new play by Bricolage resident playwright, David Turkel.

A controversial schoolteacher wakes in the middle of the night to find a brick thrown through the picture window of his suburban home. Things get worse when a police officer arrives and, instead of investigating, takes him hostage.

Written to mirror the work of Rene Magritte, "Key To The Field" is a surrealist thrill-ride through the twisted landscape of the American dream.

The cast includes Bingo O'Malley, Jeffrey Carpenter, Tami Dixon and Sharon Brady.

Readings of "Key to the Field" are at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday on the third floor of 937 Liberty Ave., Downtown. Admission is free but seating is limited.

Details: 412-381-6999 or www.webbricolage.org.

-- Alice T.

Cultural events in the city

=City Theatre presents "Late Nite Catechism 2" at 8 p.m. Performances continue in an open-ended run at the Lester Hamburg Studio Theatre of City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., South Side. $35. 412-431-2489.

PBS fires host for prior works

The PBS Kids Sprout network has fired the host of "The Good Night Show" after learning she had appeared in videos called "Technical Virgin."

The host, Melanie Martinez, had alerted network officials about one of the videos late last week and she was immediately taken off the air.

"PBS Kids Sprout has determined that the dialogue in this video is inappropriate for her role as a preschool program host and may undermine her character's credibility with our audience," said Sandy Wax, network president.

Airing for three hours each evening, "The Good Night Show" airs soothing stories and cartoons designed to get an audience of 2-to-5-year-olds ready for bed. Each night, Martinez guides a puppet character into dreamland. Martinez is a stage actress and mother of a toddler.

In the two "Technical Virgin" videos -- made before she landed the children's show job -- she spoofs PSAs about how young women can keep their virginity.

-- The Associated Press