Playwright Brian Pope’s Himbos is a Saucy Service Industry Dramedy with a Twist at the New Hazlett Theater this October
(Pittsburgh, PA) September 27, 2023—This October, the New Hazlett Theater invites audiences to the premiere of Himbos, playwright Brian Pope’s laugh-out-loud dramedy about found family. The play introduces viewers to the fictional Himbos restaurant as its scantily-clad male staff navigates the perils of friendships, romance, and even karaoke. According to Pope, the best tip for the Himbos wait staff and theatergoers alike is to celebrate a chuckle or two.
“I want everyone who visits Himbos to leave with big smiles on their faces. When you write or perform comedy, there’s no greater gift than that. My dream is for the jokes to get stuck in their heads like a catchy song. I hope that audiences feel like they spent time in a place they’ve grown to love with characters they’ve grown to love.” Pope says.
Himbos kicks off the Theater’s 2023/2024 Community Supported Art (CSA) performance series. Now in its 11th season, the CSA allows emerging artists to develop new work for the New Hazlett stage.
“Watching Brian’s work come together over the last few months has been inspiring and, quite frankly, fun. Brian has gathered a smart design team and a jubilant cast. As a group they have crafted an evening of theater that is both touching and laugh-out-loud funny,” says Creative Programs Manager Janus Young.
Himbos has three showings only: Thursday, October 26th at 8 PM and Friday, October 27th at 10 AM & 8 PM. The October 27th 10 AM performance is free through RAD days. Individual tickets are available for purchase on the New Hazlett website. Tickets range from $20–$30. CSA 11 subscriptions are also available for purchase for $100.
The Himbos production team includes Shannon Knapp as director, Jalina McClarin as assistant director, Nick Stamatakis as composer, and Elena Falgione as intimacy director. The multi-talented cast features Dylan Meyers (Beau), Victor Aponte (Mateo), Gayle Pazerski (Cheyenne), Zachariah Washington (Sean), Tyler Ray Kendrick (Ari), José Pérez IV (Kyle), and Mike Zolovich (Understudy).
For Pope, watching this team interpret – and realize – the characters has been a favorite part of the process.
“As the playwright, I rely on the actors, director, designers, etc., to see things in these characters that I might not be able to after spending so much time writing and rewriting them. Their energy, creativity, and talent makes my work better and inspires me,” Pope says.
Brian Pope (he/him) writes plays, writes about plays, watches plays and TV, and talks constantly about all things pop culture on and off the internet. As an artist, Brian’s work centers on the values of joy and collaboration, while aiming to pay forward the sense of community he found pursuing his passion.
Content Disclosure: Himbos contains mature language and themes.
Himbos is presented as a part of the New Hazlett Theater’s 11th Season of CSA, brought to you by Fort Pitt Capitol.
About Community Support Art (CSA)
Since 2013, the New Hazlett Theater’s CSA Performance Series has brought emerging and mid-career performing artists to the stage. We’re passionate about providing a space for Pittsburgh’s amazing pool of creative talent to develop, collaborate, grow, and flourish. From dance to music, original plays to experimental animation, our CSA pushes the boundaries of performance at every show. For more information, visit https://newhazletttheater.org/csa