Mark Clayton Southers has been working on "The Gammage Project" for two years and directing the play through rehearsals as it readies for a Thursday opening. There was a moment when he let his actors do some freestyle acting, just to have a little fun, before getting back to the play. "That's going to be the most fun we have," he said. "It's a real tough piece." (Today)

NEW YORK -- Phylicia Rashad gave the most affectionate speech, Brian Dennehy the funniest and Donald Margulies the best written. But the best overall was by surprise presenter Meryl Streep -- affectionate and funny, delivered in that artless way that is the perfection of art. (Yesterday)

A dance company's season lineup is like a good recipe. It's got to be just the right blend of tried and true favorites, something sweet and something spicy with a dash of surprise. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2012-13 offering will treat audiences to a little whimsy and fantasy, passion and heartache and the ooo-la-la of turn-of-the-century Paris. (Yesterday)

Ben Gazzara, an intense actor whose long career included playing Brick in the original "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on Broadway, roles in influential films by John Cassavetes and work with several generations of top Hollywood directors, died Friday in New York City. He was 81. (Yesterday)

Jen Childs is coming to Pittsburgh to face her fears for all to see. Don't be fooled by the silly costumes and the improv veteran's knack for finding the funny in her subject. She takes dance very seriously. In her one-woman show, "Why I'm Scared of Dance," Ms. Childs mixes storytelling and parodies of iconic dance numbers with her own dance experiences. (02/02/2012)