The Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant in the Strip District is teaming with the Pittsburgh affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure by baking the world's largest lasagna, to be served at the 2008 Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure on Sunday. Nearly 250 volunteers will dish out $3 pieces of the 35-square-foot giant from 5 a.m. to noon on race day to patrons at the finish line at Schenley Park. It will weigh 8,800 pounds and feed 9,600 people. All proceeds benefit the Komen foundation's fight against breast cancer.
The restaurant, at 26th and Smallman streets, also is offering a pre-race pasta special, where guests can enjoy an entree, salad, soft drink, glass of house wine or domestic beer, and bread for $20. Reservations for the prix fixe meal, to be served today and Saturday, are required. Portions of the proceeds from the dinners also will be donated to the charity.
The world's largest lasagna also is on sale on eBay. A $28,800 bid online will grant co-ownership of the world record to one person; all of the money will benefit the foundation.
Details: 412-261-6511, www.worldslargestlasagna.com
-- Karin Welzel
Next up for Playwrights: 'Two Trains'
Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre continues its tradition of honoring Hill District playwright August Wilson by producing one of his plays each season -- this time it's "Two Trains Running."
Set in the Hill District in 1969, "Two Trains Running" is the fifth play in Wilson's 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle. It explores attitudes about race, justice and civil rights through the black Pittsburgh residents who congregate in Memphis Lee's Restaurant.
Broadway actor Anthony Chisholm will play Memphis. Chisholm was nominated for a 2007 Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production of Wilson's "Radio Golf," and his film and television credits include "Beloved," "Reign Over Me," "Vietnam War Stories" (Cable Ace nomination), and the HBO television series "Oz."
Playwrights Theatre artistic director Mark Clayton Southers directs.
The production opens Saturday and continues through May 25 at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 542 Penn Ave., Downtown.
Performances: 8 p.m.Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 7 p.m. Sundays. Be sure to check the box office or Web site as some performances are already sold out.
Admission: $22.50 to $27.50.
Details: 412-2880358.
-- Alice T. Carter
Weekend PSO concerts to be recorded
Weekend concerts by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra led by music director-designate Manfred Honeck will be recorded for commercial release by the Japanese audiophile company Octavia.
The five-channel, surround-sound recording will be released on Octavia's Exton label as a hybrid Super Audio CD that is playable on regular, two-channel compact disc equipment. Honeck has previously recorded music of Anton Bruckner with the Czech Philharmonic for Octavia, which is not yet released.
The Heinz Hall program is Giuseppe Verdi's "The Force of Destiny" Overture, the world premiere of Alan Fletcher's Clarinet Concerto, commissioned by the orchestra for its principal clarinet Michael Rusinek , and Richard Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben."
As usual, cough drops will be available at the concierge desk in the lobby.
The concerts start at 8 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, at Heinz Hall, Downtown. Tickets are $19 to $80.
Details: 412-392-4900.
-- Mark Kanny
Carnegie theater to present 'Earnest'
Stage 62, a Carnegie-based theater company, is presenting the stage version of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" for the next two weekends.
The shows will be performed at 8 p.m. today and Saturday, and May 16-17, and 2 p.m. Sunday and May 18, at the Andrew Carnegie Free Public Library and Music Hall in Carnegie.
General admission is $12; $10 for students and senior citizens. Details: 412-429-6262.
-- Kellie B. Gormly
Cultural events in the city
• City Theatre presents "Late Nite Catechism" at 8 p.m. Performances continue through Sunday at City Theatre's Hamburg Studio, 1300 Bingham St., South Side. $40. 412-431-2489.
• Pittsburgh Public Theater presents "Rabbit Hole" at 8 p.m. Performances continue through May 18 at the O'Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Downtown. $34.50-$49.50. 412-316-1600
• City Theatre presents "A Marriage Minuet" at 8 p.m. Performances continue through May 25 at City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., South Side. $15-$46. 412-431-2489
• Pittsburgh Opera presents "The Capulets & the Montagues" at 8 p.m. Performances continue through Sunday at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $16.50-$140.50. 412-456-6666
• Pittsburgh Musical Theater presents "West Side Story" at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue through May 18 at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St., Downtown. $10-$39.50. 412-456-6666
• Music director-designate Manfred Honeck conducts the Pittsburgh Symphony at 8 p.m. Performances continue through Sunday at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave,. Downtown. $19-$75, 412-392-4900
