Do you think politicians are shifty, sleazy, dirty, hypocritical, and corrupt? Nikola Gogol’s play, The Government Inspector proves that all those things are true—and more!
In a small Russian town, a postmaster reads someone’s mail (of course!) and the word gets out: a government inspector is coming to the town to investigate. And so, how do the corrupt officials respond? With even more corruption and bribery! When a newcomer appears (in truth, an inept con man who is incapable of holding onto any money), the local officials assume he must be the inspector, and they do whatever they can to influence him, with food, drink, the mayor’s daughter, and lots and lots of money.
Do the foolish officials get their comeuppance? No spoilers here, but we think you will be pleased with the conclusion of this wild and madcap Russian farce.
“We’re setting this production of the play that was originally written in 1835, in the year 1985,” says Dr. Stephen A. Schrum, Associate Professor of Theatre at Pitt-Greensburg and the director of the show. “Mr. Gorbachev has not yet torn down that wall. And the world of MTV music videos and the opulence of Wall Street lend their designs and costumes for a truly recent-historical look. And to further mirror current events, the playwright is actually Ukrainian, not Russian. It sounds like a conspiracy!”
Senior History major Logan Tomko plays Ivan Hlestakov, the bumbling clerk who finds himself the center of attention. This is Logan’s eighth show on campus. His love interest, Marya the Mayor’s daughter, is played by Emily Buckel, senior Creative and Professional Writing major. This is also Emily’s eighth show. Both are graduating this spring. Joining them is Finn David Caskey, a freshman Communications major, returning to the stage after making his Pitt-Greensburg Theatre Company debut last semester.
Why see this play? Not only is there incredibly funny dialogue that perfectly captures the self-serving politicians (“They’re stupid, but not as stupid as they look” and “It’s like talking to meat!”), but the physical action is virtually non-stop. If you ask, “Will the politicians fall like dominoes?” the answer is yes, and literally. You just don’t know when.
The Pitt-Greensburg Theatre Company’s production of The Government Inspector runs Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 28 at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 29 at 2:00pm in the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg’s Ferguson Theater. Tickets (available at the door only) are $10 regular, and $5 students/seniors/PittID.
Contact Dr. Schrum for more information at 724-846-7483 or sas114@pitt.edu.
Want to get your writing mojo back? Attend Seton Hill U’s In Your Write Mind Writers conference. $120 for the Read more
"What: This is an annual, alumni-run writers workshop. It features writing-related classes, agent pitch sessions, a book signing, and other Read more
But this too is true: stories can save us The writer Tim O’Brien calls storytelling an essential human activity. "The Read more
Press Release: Art All Night Pittsburgh is back in full force this April 26-27, 2025 starting at 4 pm and Read more
City of Asylum Pittsburgh and International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) collaborate to present 30+ free,transformational events over 4 days Read more
Literary couple Lori Jakiela and Dave Newman know firsthand what John Mellencamp means when he sings about small towns. [caption Read more
"If you have considered applying to the CBWR, or have applied in the past and not been selected, this remote, Read more
"The first annual Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl will be happening May 10 - 18, 2025. The crawl will cover nine Read more
"Gregg Hurwitz is the author of the New York Times-bestselling Orphan X novels. Critically acclaimed, his novels have been international Read more
The 38th Annual Pennwriters Conference is coming your way! Registration is now open for the three-day conference at the Pittsburgh Read more
From August 7 – 10, PulpFest will be returning to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry in Mars, Read more
"Our annual flagship conference, this year featuring keynote speaker Sarah Elaine Smith, poet and author of the acclaimed novel Marilou Read more
From Judith R. Robinson, a Pittsburgh poet and artist who was recently awarded 1st prize for her poem “A Stream Read more
From Prime Stage Theatre: According to Shakepeare’s melancholy prince Hamlet, “The play is the thing, wherein I'll catch the conscience Read more
Littsburgh has always been a “nights and weekends” passion project, ever since we started the site back in 2015. We Read more
New York Times-bestselling author Patrick Radden Keefe will be featured at The Peters Township Library Foundation’s seventh annual Novel November Read more
As part of its fourth year, the Books Books Books author event in Lancaster, PA this year will be welcoming Read more
"Join Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, September 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this local author showcase. Read more
"Truly one of the best writers of his generation."—Gerald Locklin, author of Charles Bukowski: A Sure Bet New story collection Read more
From the Publisher, Izzard Ink: Lost love. Industrial catastrophe. Can it all be redeemed? A retired English teacher returns to Read more
