cardoz brian jay corrigan,JD PhD charles dickens, conjurer
It is 1843, and a 31-year-old Dickens is riding the crest of extraordinary fame. Even as he prepares to write his most celebrated work, A Christmas Carol, he attends an evening of magical theatre that will change his life. Fascinated by the art form, he becomes Charles Dickens, Conjurer. Here is a world of wandering spirits, a tragic death, sweat-
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nicole
shops, debtor’s prisons, hypnotism, mysticism, and a most extraordinary bird. Brian Jay Corrigan is an internationally recognized, award-winning magician whose magic has been seen on every continent (except Antarctica). Threetime winner of the Legion d'Horreur 'Bizarre Magic Effect of the Year,' two-time recipient of the Maskelyne prize, and one of only seven honorary lifetime members of the British Society of Mystery Entertainers, Dr. Corrigan is also the senior professor of Renaissance literature at the University of North Georgia and a professional actor who
has performed with Katharine Hepburn and--a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away--auditioned for the part of Luke Skywalker (though the force was not with him).
Ghost Stories for Christmas 'There'll be scary ghost stories' at Liberty Magic. As 'the father of the modern ghost story,' M.R. James wrote over thirty of the finest works of 'pleasing terror' known for Christmas reading. Everyone from Ramsey Campbell to Stephen King points to him as their influence. Dr. Corrigan is the biographer of M.R. James and was recently inducted into the Henry VI Society of Eton College, England, for
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PRESENTS his contributions to Jamesian studies.
During the VIP after-show at Liberty Magic, Professor Corrigan will not only relate one of his most famous tales, demonstrating with magic its diabolical enticements, but he will also lead you in an attempt to contact a ghost...for your Christmas delectation.
WELCOME TO
Dear Distinguished Lovers of Mystery, Merriment and Mildly Suspicious Miracles,
Welcome to tonight’s performance of Brian Jay Corrigan, JD PhD’s Charles Dickens, Conjurer. Yes, that Charles Dickens. The man who gave us A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, and the annual reminder that no matter how stressful your family gatherings are, at least you’re not being visited by three judgmental ghosts. The name is synonymous with the season. And with magic.
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Tonight, you’ll be guided through this Dickensian wonderland by Brian Corrigan, a man of many talents: actor, magician, teacher, maker, tinkerer, and possible time traveler. His commitment to storytelling is rivaled only by his commitment to surprising audiences. If you’re new to Liberty Magic, please know that we are thrilled you’re here— and also that there are no trapdoors beneath your seat. Probably. (Look, it’s a magic theater. Deception is our profession.) What we can guarantee is an evening filled with wonder, intrigue, and- this month- the kind of festive cheer that only comes with at least a little deceit. We hope you’ve prepared yourselves for an unforgettable evening
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PRESENTS of literary enchantment and magical mischief.
We may be halfway through the holiday season, but Liberty Magic’s season of national and international shows is only just beginning! There are more brilliant artists on their way—new voices, new visions, new shows that stretch what magic can be. This art form is evolving, and you’re witnessing it happen in real time.
Thank you for choosing to celebrate with us, supporting us and believing in us.
Zoe Ruth, Director of Operations & Programmer
PRESENTS
In February 2019, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust launched a new venue dedicated to elevating the art of magic.
Located at 811 Liberty, on the same block where Harry Houdini mesmerized Pittsburgh crowds in 1916, Liberty Magic is an intimate, speakeasy storefront emphasizing the art of sleight of hand and prestidigitation. With 66 seats in 4 rows, the magicians and performers who appear at Liberty Magic offer you a one-of-a-kind experience that is easy to access and hard to forget.
Scenic Design
TONY FERRIERI
Director of Operations & Programmer
ZOE RUTH
Front of House Magicians
JON TAI
DAN HARMON
SHANE PATRICK CREWS
Film & Video
DUSTIN WICKETT
Set Dressing JON WARD
HAYLEY ULMER
Front of House
ANNA HANSON
B KLEYMEYER
PHILL MADORE
MARC PALOMBO
KEVIN RABBITS
AUDREY SWANDERSKI
CAMERON WEBB
Press & Marketing
KAITLYN CIANCIO
MARKOWITZ COMMUNICATIONS
Creative Team
MORGAN BARBA
GIGI BOWER
JONATHAN DAYBEAR
BRIAN NICHOLS
THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST STAFF
PRESIDENT
Kendra Whitlock Ingram President and CEO EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Caitlyn Abt Director of Public Spaces
Sarah Aziz Director of DEAI Initiatives
Amy Cooper Office and Executive Projects Manager
Hayley Haldeman Chief Administrative Officer
Rona Nesbit Special Advisor to the President
Derek Scalzott Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Special Advisor to the President
Cheryl Schnippert Executive Assistant to the President ARTS EDUCATION
Tracy Edmunds Vice President of Arts Education
Tyler Anderson Program Coordinator
Julissa Bermea Manager of Early Childhood Programs
Elizabeth Foster-Shaner Director of Arts Education
Kalee George Manager of Arts Education Programs
Shakirah Stephens Manager of Arts Education and DMIS Programs DEVELOPMENT
Nicholas Gigante Chief Development Officer
Grace Alverson Assistant Manager of Institutional Giving
Ryan Bromley Manager of Corporate Giving
Kaylin Cranmer Senior Manager, Development Systems
Elizabeth DiLeonardi Donor Concierge Specialist
Linda Fletcher Manager of Foundation and Government Giving
Amy Herlich Major Gifts Officer
James Hill Director of Government Affairs and District Initiatives
Monica Marchese Senior Manager of Individual Giving
Heather Masterson Senior Director of Development and Individual Giving
Ariel Mookherji Assistant Manager of Donor Relations
Hector Navarrete Assistant Manager, Development Systems
Rebecca Rickard Director of Institutional Giving
Aaron Rovan Manager of Individual Giving
Nicole Shero Development Systems Associate
Jessica Walz Director of Special Events & Engagement FINANCE
Linda Kosten Chief Financial Officer
Samantha Barnes Director of Data Strategy and Analytics
Timothy Baum Risk and Finance Manager
Benjamin Boggio Senior Finance Manager - Facilities and Grounds
Lisa Fisher Director of Finance
Taleesha Banks Senior Accountant
Amy McDonald Accountant and Accounts Payable Specialist GUEST SERVICES
Albert Rodibaugh Vice President of Guest Services and Patron Experience
Vanessa Braun Director of Accessibility
Joi Brook Senior Manager of Sales
Pamela Howell Group Sales Manager
Rhonda Jones Ticketing Operations Manager
Maria McIntyre Full Time Ticketseller
Julie Neal Director of Guest Services Operations
Aimee Plotz Event Operations and Data Analysis Manager
Eva Resnick-Day Full Time Ticketseller
Dennis Sen Ticketing Services Manager
Karoline Smith Accessibility Manager
Timothy Smith Lead Ticketseller
Eric Thomas Director of Guest Experience
HUMAN RESOURCES
Maureen Shannon Vice President of Human Resources
MaryAnne Culleiton Senior Manager, Finance - Payroll & Benefits INFORMATION STRATEGY & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Daniel Hoffer Chief Information Officer
Jared Blumer Full Stack Ruby on Rails Developer
T C Brown Tessitura Quality Assurance and Data Support Administrator
Benjamin Chen Technical Services Specialist
Patrick FitzGerald Director of eCommerce Operations
Danielle Greaves Lead Web Developer
Rebecca Harriman Director of Projects and Enterprise Applications
Devin Loney Director of Network and Technical Services
Joshua Luke Technical Services Analyst
Jay Mash Network Administrator
Nancy Sheleheda Senior Director of Application Development and System Integrations
Justin Snair Director of Network and Cloud Infrastructure
Katie Springer Director of Technology and Project Management
Michael Tiernan Director of Network Operations and Security Technologies
Katina White Tessitura Support Administrator
Christine Wingenfeld Partnership Manager and Data Analyst
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
David Alcorn
Director of Digital Marketing and Engagement
Daniel Alexander Creative Director
Morgan Barba Senior Designer
Gigi Bower Digital Production Manager
Kaitlyn Ciancio Marketing Coordinator
Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery Marketing Manager
Jamie Cuba Show Marketing Director
Jonathan Daybear Senior Designer
Shelby Fink Marketing Engagement Manager
Ashley Kier Marketing Manager
Krist Muñoz-Malavé Social Media and Content Manager
Brian Nichols Senior Designer
Diana Roth Senior Communications Manager
Andrea Sharfman Institutional Marketing and Communications Manager
OPERATIONS – INFRASTRUCTURE
Dennis Curry Chief Engineer
Jeff O’Laughlin Chief Engineer
Ben Bacho Operating Engineer
Dustin Curry Operating Engineer
Dino DePasquale Operating Engineer
Todd Fedorek Operating Engineer
Thomas Hatala Operating Engineer
Christopher Kazar Operating Engineer
Kevin Koontz Apprentice Operating Engineer
Brett Melisko Operating Engineer
Daniel O’Brien Operating Engineer
OPERATIONS – VENUES
Joanna Obuzor Vice President of Venue Operations
Lyla Bartman Production Manager
Robert Bollman Stage Technician, House Sound Engineer
Bryan Briggs Production Manager
Greg Brooks Stage Technician, House Sound Engineer
Katelyn Colwell Director of Venue Operations
Anna Cunningham Production Manager
Diane Hines Production Manager
Kamwana Hobbs Director of Production
Adolf Hundertmark Stage Technician, House Carpenter
Chelsea Kirch Stage Technician, House Electrician
Brett Lindblom Stage Technician, House Electrician
Phill Madore Operations Manager for the Liberty Venues
Sofia Marino
Stage Technician, House Electrician
John Mumper Senior Director of Venue Operations
Frank Polselli Director of Facilities and Grounds
Kevin Rabbits Operations Coordinator
Steven Schultz
Stage Technician, House Carpenter
Zoe Ruth Silberblatt Director of Venue Operations
Sarah Speck Stage Technician, House Sound Engineer
Donald Squires Venue Manager of the Greer Cabaret
Christine Wagner Operations Manager
Nicole Zeak Operations Manager
PROGRAMMING
Brooke Horejsi Chief Programming and Engagement Officer
Bri Fallahee Programming Manager
Heather Irwin Director of Programming
Randal Miller Director of Programming
Joseph Morrison Venue Manager of the Harris Theater
Breanne Thomas Program Coordinator
SECURITY & FRONT OF HOUSE OPERATIONS
Kevin Wilkes Vice President and Chief Security Officer
Shirley Epperson Director of Security
Ashley Rieser Director of Volunteer Services and Front of House Guest Experience
Chloe Tatro Manager of Volunteer Services and Front of House Guest Experience
SHARED SERVICES
Mark Power
Hannah Feldhues
Shared Services Director
Shared Services Associate
Linda Wagner Advertising Sales Manager
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Theresa Bell Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement
VISUAL ARTS & PUBLIC ART
Anastasia James Director of Galleries and Public Art
Davine Byon
Curatorial Assistant and Department Coordinator
Kennedy Deen Exhibition Coordinator
George Dun Manager of Gallery Facilities and Public Art
Jacquet Kehm Art Handler
Joshua Rievel Art Handler
David L. Holmberg* Chair
Carolyn D. Duronio*
Vice Chair, Treasurer
Kendra
Whitlock Ingram*
President & CEO
Nicholas J. Gigante
Secretary
Chester R. Babst III*
Jill M. Brodbeck*
Esther L. Bush**
Tacy M. Byham
Helen Hanna Casey*
James E. Crockard III***
Ronald R. Davenport, Jr.
George A. Davidson, Jr.
Chris DeCardy*
William S. Demchak
Mike DeVanney***
Joseph DiVito, Jr.***
Jack W. Elliott*
Ed Gainey***
William O. Generett, Jr.
Murry S. Gerber
Sarika Goulatia
George C. Greer**†
Steven J. Guy*
Lisa Haley
Richard J. Harshman*
Jean Anne Hattler***
Sara Innamorato***
Farnam Jahanian
Krysia Kubiak***
Daniel Lavelle***
Tracey McCants Lewis***
Sally McCrady*
Kenneth C. McCrory
David L. Porges*
Charles J. Queenan, Jr.**
Sam Reiman*
James E. Rohr**
Caryn B. Rubinoff
Jimmi Sue Smith
Hilary S. Tyson
Ryan L. Vaccaro
Thomas L. VanKirk*
Sunil Wadhwani
Hal K. Waldman
Nancy D. Washington*
Michael Watson**
Christy C. Wiegand
Travis E. Williams*
Daniel S. Wilson
*Executive Committee Member
**Lifetime Trustee
***Ex-Officio
†Deceased