L'Chaim, To Life, To Leon
It is with extreme sadness that we report that our dear friend and one of the founding producers of Front Porch Theatricals, Leon S. Zionts lost his battle with pancreatic cancer and passed away on November 10th, 2019. We will find many opportunities, we hope, to honor him and his commitment to musical theater and the musical theater community.
"Leon S. Zionts was a man with a song in his heart, a joke at the ready and a helping hand for all in the theater community that he called his second family. The 61-year-old lawyer, performer and producer died midday on Sunday from pancreatic cancer. He spent his final days in his Point Breeze home, receiving friends and surrounded by his family and with his beloved dog, Fiyero, who always got a program credit. When he died, the show tune "Corner of the Sky' was playing on repeat."
- Sharon Eberson, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"Zionts began producing musicals with Bruce E.G. Smith in 2008, forming the boutique musical theater production company Front Porch Theatricals. Nancy joined the company in 2014. 'We became producers,' Smith said. 'We always joked about the musical The Producers. He wanted to be in the image of Max Bialystock and I was Leo Bloom.' They staged productions of popular, well-known shows like In the Heights, Parade and Big Fish. 'The heart and soul of the company is Leon and that will never be replaced,' Smith said."
- David Rullo, Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle
A special message from author and cartoonist
Alison Bechdel
Thank you Pittsburgh for coming to and supporting FUN HOME !
We reached our highest attendance in Front Porch history and enjoyed overwhelming audience and critical responses!
"A theatrical triumph!"
- Ted Hoover, Pittsburgh Current
"Front Porch delivers deeply moving 'Fun Home'......
Krell pours all this agony into a final aria that would move a stone"
- Christopher Rawson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Clever and cathartic, Fun Home at Front Porch Theatricals stirs the heart and memories"
- Yvonne Hudson, Pittsburgh in the Round
"Almost everyone in “Bright Star” is a star!"
- Michael "Buzz" Buzelli, 'Burgh Vivant
"The beauty this production and all productions of Front Porch Theatricals lie in their propinquity with Pittsburgh talent. Showcasing this talent in productions like Bright Star makes for an experience that is felt from the heart."
- Dylan Shaffer, BroadwayWorld
"Shimmering throughout is the score, played by a nine-piece orchestra of banjo, mandolin, fiddle, etc., led by musical polymath Doug Levine."
- Chris Rawson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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