Christine CMC Bethea’s Birthday at Tiffany’s Brings Homewood to the Northside this November
(Pittsburgh, PA) October 23, 2025— This November 20-21, the New Hazlett Theater invites audiences to the premiere of Birthday at Tiffany’s, playwright Christine CMC Bethea’s poignant dramedy rooted in Pittsburgh’s Homewood and inspired by August Wilson archival research.
Blending wit and purpose, Birthday at Tiffany’s explores race, privilege, and belonging through the perspective of a middle-class couple willing to do anything to keep their 7-year-old’s birthday on track—even if it means playing nice with the impossible.
Audiences are invited into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Myers as they juggle the ever-changing attendance of their daughter’s celebration. Sitting on the sidelines is the wise-cracking Pops, bringing levity to profound moments.
Bethea, an acclaimed artist and Art Commissioner for Pittsburgh, brings her unique perspective and lively storytelling to the stage, combining 1980s sitcom nostalgia with relevant social issues.
“Christine CMC Bethea is proof that powerful, relevant art has no age limits. She’s redefining what it means to be an emerging playwright, and here at the New Hazlett, we are 100% here for it! Her deep love of history, paired with her eye for design and culture, gives her work an unmatched richness,” New Hazlett Theater Artistic Producer Melissa Cardello-Linton says.
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Bethea is an August Wilson Archive Community Artist Scholar Award recipient who first debuted Birthday at Tiffany’s as a staged reading at City Theatre. As part of New Hazlett Theater’s Community Supported Art Season 13, the production has evolved into a fully-produced show, offering a mix of laughter, insight, and community engagement.
“Birthday at Tiffany’s is a play of heart, humor, and heritage. It has all the makings of a classic, and I believe it will become a staple in our city’s theatrical canon. I can’t wait to see what’s next for both the play and for Christine,” New Hazlett Theater Artistic Producer Melissa Cardello-Linton says.
Bethea is particularly looking forward to the audience relating to the cast:
“I hope that when people see Birthday at Tiffany’s, they will be able to identify themselves in the characters. I believe that there’s a little bit of all of us in every single one of the people who’s going to be on that stage. I know that when they recognize themselves, they’ll enjoy it even more,” Bethea states.
Bethea aims for audiences to leave with an increased longing for connection and a profound understanding of shared similarities, despite racial and cultural differences.
“It’s my hope that when people come to see Birthday at Tiffany’s, that they will leave with a sense of community, because there’s so much more that we have in common than we don’t.” states Bethea.
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The multi-talented cast includes Richard McBride (Ed), Tanika Harris (Elaine), Mike Zolovich (Cabbie Herman), and Jenny Malarkey (Cabbie Herman’s Wife).
In the role of Pops is well-known actor Mils “M.J.” James. James is no stranger to the works of August Wilson, having starred in Fences (Lyons) and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Sylvester). Locals may also remember James’s turn as Cordero in Monteze Freeland’s Fishy Woo Woo. Recently, James was recognized as a “fiercest changemaker” in Pittsburgh by QBurgh.
The Birthday at Tiffany’s creative team includes Dominque Briggs (Director), Mils James (Choreographer, Fight Coordinator), Lillie Tuck (Costume Designer, Scenic Designer), Wayne Gaines (Sound Designer), Lindsay Barr (Dramaturg), and Matt B. Russel (Lighting Designer).
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Birthday at Tiffany’s has three showings only: Thursday, November 20 at 7:30 PM and Friday, November 21 at 10 AM & 7:30 PM. Individual tickets are available for purchase on the New Hazlett website. Tickets range from $25–$35, with the matinee being pay-what-you-can.
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Meet the Artist
Christine CMC Bethea (she/her) Traveling world wide as a member of a military family, Christine CMC Bethea credits the Midwest and the Far East for a multidisciplinary aesthetic that includes visual art, digital content, and journalism. CMC Bethea’s work as a creative has been archived in the Library of Congress, and has received several prestigious awards for arts collaboration and administration. She currently serves as a City of Pittsburgh Art Commissioner and wrote her first play, Birthday at Tiffany’s, as a Community Artist Scholar Awardee with the August Wilson Archives.
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Meet the Cast & Director
Richard McBride
Ed
Tanika Harris
Elaine
Mils “M.J.” James
Pops
Mike Zolovich
Cabbie Herman
Jenny Malarkey
Cabbie Herman’s Wife
Dominique Briggs
Director
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Birthday at Tiffany’s is the first of three productions in the Theater’s 2025-2026 Community Supported Art (CSA) performance series. Now in its 13th season, the CSA allows emerging artists like Bethea to develop new work for the New Hazlett stage.
New this season is a staged reading series of three works. CSA: Off the Page showcasing voices outside the main stage. The series showcases works by runner-up artists, whose stories and scripts embody the bold creativity of the Community Supported Art Performance Series.
2025/2026 Community Support Art Season Lineup:
Birthday at Tiffany’s
A dramedy by Christine CMC Bethea
November 20–21, 2025
1980s Homewood: A middle-class couple will do anything to keep their 7-year-old’s birthday on track—even if it means playing nice with the impossible.
Agnus Teaches Acting
A musical comedy by Zanny Laird, Lucas Fedele and Treasure Treasure
Feb 5-6, 2026
Agnus Stephenson: acting teacher, self-proclaimed star, and cabaret disaster—class is in session whether students like it or not.
Grappling
A theatrical dance journey by Erin Koewe
April 24–25, 2026
A queer, zero-gravity world of dance, family, and pop, exploring love, labor, and time with humor, joy, and cosmic imagination.
2025/2026 Off the Page Staged Reading Lineup:
There Goes The Bride
by Noah Van Ess & Catcher Sanchez
Jan 12, 2026
There Goes the Bride is a musical comedy about a caterer who gets stuck working at his ex-girlfriend’s wedding. What follows is a whirlwind of wedding chaos, emotional twists, and show-stopping songs. It’s a heartfelt story about letting go of the past, breaking free from who we thought we had to be, and embracing the unknown.
Rita, a former translator of Italian poetry, and her husband leave New York for remote serenity in New Mexico. There is an odd, persistent buzz that envelops the landscape and pierces her fresh start. When her tech-optimist neighbor echoes her concern, they set off to discover the elusive sound and restore silence before it explodes her marriage and sanity.
Cosmic Microwave Background
by Julia Fraser
March 23, 2026
Rita, a former translator of Italian poetry, and her husband leave New York for remote serenity in New Mexico. There is an odd, persistent buzz that envelops the landscape and pierces her fresh start. When her tech-optimist neighbor echoes her concern, they set off to discover the elusive sound and restore silence before it explodes her marriage and sanity.
Gloria, Jean, and the Sexy Ghost Show
by Matt Henderson
April 20, 2026
A surreal journey through a lockdown world, exploring the fundamental need for human connection and the indelible power of trash TV.
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Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available for all CSA Season 13 productions.
The New Hazlett Theater is also eager to invite student groups to the theater, including talkbacks with the artists.
Please email Nathan Wagner with any questions.
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Season art & design: Bootstrap Design Co. | CSA Season 13 Artist Portraits: Matt Dyak | Performance photos: Renee Rosensteel
Supporting sponsors: Simpson McCready and FNB Bank
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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 and original plays to experimental animation, our CSA pushes the boundaries of performance at every show. For more information, visit https://newhazletttheater.org/csa
About The New Hazlett Theater
The New Hazlett Theater is more than a beautifully restored historic building. We’re a nonprofit organization working to nurture and promote art in Pittsburgh through innovation and collaboration. As a creative hub for a diverse range of artists, audiences, and performances, we provide vital resources to creators to enrich our cultural community. For more information on who we are and what we do, please visit www.newhazletttheater.org