Winnie Flynn left Pittsburgh after her 1994 season, returning home in 2010.
Her new revue, Good Times, opens in October 2011
In Pittsburgh Winnie wrote, produced, directed and appeared in over 40 critically acclaimed musical revues as well as special events, corporate and convention entertainment throughout Pa. After writing and staging Four for the Road at the East West Restaurant she presented original shows at Minutello’s Restaurant before moving to the Sheraton North in 1982. Winnie produced two original musical revues each year at the Holiday Inn, North Hills until 1994. Critics called the shows “satire at its best” and “wickedly funny” and named her “one of Pittsburgh’s best writers” and “a Pittsburgh entertainment treasure.”
Winnie has written, produced and directed children’s musicals; among them a musical adaptation of Cinderella for the North Star Players’ Children’s Theater and a musical version of Robin Hood, a national playwriting award winner. For seventeen years she wrote and produced original Christmas musical shows for Kaufmann’s and Macy’s in downtown Pittsburgh.
A member of SAG and AFTRA she appeared in television and radio commercials and corporate training films. Favorite roles include appearing in a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Opera, The Boy Who Loved Trolls for PBS’ Wonderworks and touring schools in the CLO Galleries of Heroes production of the musical, Young Mark Twain. Winnie has appeared in feature films and coordinated Pittsburgh Day Player Casting and appeared in the Roy London film, Diary of a Hitman with Forest Whitaker. Directing credits include Kiss Me Kate, Tomfoolery, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
She produced and performed in shows with long time comedy partner, John Roell and with Jeannie Wattras who joined the Flynn troupe in 1982. She teamed with Joyce Sterling and Dean Patterson for Just Friends and with Pittsburgh’s own Funny Lady, Esther Lapiduss in Two Tall Chicks.
In addition to modeling and providing fashion show commentary, Winnie was the host of Women’s Preview on WQEX TV and was awarded the Fashion Plate Award for Career Excellence in Entertainment by the Fashion Group International.
A graduate of Duquesne University, she has over 30 years teaching experience with groups such as CLO Academy of Musical Theater, Pittsburgh Playhouse Conservatory, Brecksville Theater on the Square and the Pittsburgh Public Schools. From early days as a storyteller at Northland Library and elementary school appearances with Lou Schreiber in Jazz and Art, to the original Patience of Joe with the St. John’s Lutheran youth group, Winnie has continued her work with children and young adults.
In Brecksville Ohio she was the Executive Director of the Brecksville Center for the Arts and Education Director for Brecksville Theater on the Square, where she oversaw the Theatre Academy, Broadway Camp and the appearance of the renowned Missoula Children’s Theater. Winnie also directed Songs For A New World and The Secret Garden for Brecksville Theater on the Square as well as musicals for other theater groups. She also produced and directed She’s a Grand Old Hall, a historical musical co-written with Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby.
While in Harrisburg, PA, she worked for the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council and was the Arts and Entertainment Editor and writer for City Beat. She was a Board member of Metroarts and Harrisburg Community Theater and an active volunteer for the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Mt. Gretna Theater, The Art Association of Harrisburg, Wireworks and others. She was the general chair for the first Stars on the Plaza performing arts festival.
