Inside 'The Chief,' the one-man play bringing Steelers founder Art Rooney to life

Chris and Joe sit down to talk theater, football history and Pittsburgh pride with a deep dive into “The Chief,” the acclaimed one-man show now running at the Pittsburgh Playhouse from February 4–8.The conversation centers on the origins of the play and how it grew from an idea into a fully realized production that has now been performed for more than a decade. Co-writer Rob Zellers joins the discussion to explain how the show was inspired by the life of Arthur J. Rooney, the legendary founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and why Rooney’s story continues to resonate with audiences well beyond football fans.Rob shares how “The Chief” took years to develop, from early drafts to shaping a script that balances humor, history and heart. The play explores Rooney’s values, leadership style and lasting influence on Pittsburgh, the NFL and the Steelers organization. It also highlights Rooney’s relationships with iconic players like “Mean” Joe Greene and Franco Harris, showing how personal connections helped define one of the most respected franchises in sports.Philip Winners stars in the one-man performance, bringing Rooney to life with authentic Pittsburgh dialect, local humor and storytelling that feels deeply rooted in the city’s culture. Chris and Joe discuss how the show captures the spirit of Pittsburgh — not just through football, but through family, loyalty and community — making it relatable even for audience members who aren’t diehard Steelers fans.The episode also touches on why “The Chief” has endured for 10 years, how it continues to evolve with each run, and why live theater remains a powerful way to tell stories tied to regional identity and sports history.🎟️ Tickets are available at pittsburghplayhouse.comUse promo code Chief1933 for a buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer.For more of my writing and reporting, check out my work at https://www.cleveland.com/staff/cpugh/And if you’d like to support the podcast, you can do so here: https://linktr.ee/ChrisPughEdits#TheChiefPlay, #PittsburghPlayhouse, #ArtRooney, #SteelersHistory, #PittsburghTheater, #OneManShow, #LiveTheater, #PhilipWinters, #RobZellers, #PittsburghCulture, #SteelersNation, #TheaterTalk, #SportsHistory, #PittsburghEvents, #PlaywrightLife, #PodcastEpisode, #ArtsAndSports, #BehindTheScenes, #LocalTheater, #PittsburghArts-----Subscribe to my YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHUrqzAFKz0t786NojlhN4Q