Connecticut Theatre + Broadway News

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts Welcomes AN EVENING WITH TABATHA COFFEY, 6/7

(5/24/2013) - Tabatha Coffey, star of Bravo's Tabatha Takes Over, is bringing her signature style of straight talk and respected business expertise to the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tabatha, who has traveled the country helping business owners succeed, will challenge you to achieve greatness, analyze your successes and failures, and you will leave the show inspired, elevated and enabled to use the skills learned in your personal and professional life.

Playhouse on Park Announces Master Class with Artist in Residence, Brendan Norton

(5/24/2013) - On Tuesday, June 25th, 2013, Playhouse on Park is offering a one night only master class in Shakespeare's text with Artist-in-Residence, Brendan Norton.

CT Free Shakespeare 2013 Announces A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Beginning 7/31

(5/24/2013) - This summer, Connecticut Free Shakespeare (CFS) celebrates its 14th season under the stars with William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Performances will take place at 8:00 pm on July 31 to August 4at The American Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford, CT as part of Festival! Stratford and from August 7 to August 11in downtown Bridgeport at historic McLevy Green. Actors are courtesy of Actor's Equity Association.

University of Hartford Professor and President Emeritus Dr. Humphrey Tonkin Set for a Post-Show Discussion at Hartford Stage, 5/26

(5/24/2013) - Join University of Hartford President Emeritus and University Professor of the Humanities Dr. Humphrey Tonkin for a Sunday Afternoon Discussion immediately following the 2 p.m. performance of Twelfth Night on Sunday, May 26. (The discussion is free to those attending the performance.)

Theatre Historical Society of America to Visit Warner Theatre, 6/22

(5/23/2013) - The Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) will hold its forty-third annual Conclave Theatre Tour in the New York Capitol Region and Berkshires, June 18 to June 23, 2013. Members of THS will come from all over the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia to tour historic theatres and participate in the organization's annual meeting. The tour features venues in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Rome, and Gloversville, NY as well as stops in Torrington, CT and North Adams, MA.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES to Run 6/28-7/27 at Sherman Playhouse

(5/23/2013) - This summer, The Sherman Playhouse will debut Lucille Maude Montgomery's timeless classic ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette.

Playhouse on Park & West Hartford Community Television Toast Rob Rowlson, 6/27

(5/23/2013) - Join us! On Thursday, June 27th, Playhouse on Park and West Hartford Community Television will be hosting a toast in honor of Mr. Rob Rowlson at the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium.

Shakespeare on the Sound to Stage AS YOU LIKE IT, 6/13-30

(5/22/2013) - Connecticut's premier outdoor Shakespeare will present As You Like It, June 13-30, 2013. The show is one of Shakespeare's most beloved and pastoral comedies. Claire Shannon Kelly, currently the Director of Youth Programming for Shakespeare on the Sound and the director of the company's touring educational program, 'Speaking Daggers,' will direct. Kelly previously worked at the Ordway Theater, the Guthrie Theater, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and the George Street Playhouse. She is a resident of New Canaan.

Pat Sajak to Star in CRT's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, 6/6-15

(5/22/2013) - Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present The Drowsy Chaperone, starring Pat Sajak as the Man in the Chair, as the first of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series, June 6 - 15 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs.

Kent Thompson, Wendy C. Goldberg and More to Direct Works at 2013 National Playwrights Conference

(5/22/2013) - Wendy C. Goldberg, Artistic Director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference, announced today directors of the eight projects selected for development at the 2013 Conference.

Judy Gold Comes to Bristol Riverside Theatre, 8/9-11

(5/22/2013) - Edgy and quirky, Emmy award-winning actress and comedian Judy Gold comes to Bristol Riverside Theatre on August 9-11 in a program of hilarious stand-up comedy. Performances are Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinee at 2:00 PM.

BWW Reviews: CLYBOURNE PARK at Long Wharf Theatre

(5/22/2013) - The rest of the story.

Long Wharf Theatre's Eric Ting Wins 2013 Obie Award for WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION...

(5/21/2013) - Long Wharf Theatre Associate Artistic Director Eric Ting won an Obie Award last night for his direction of We Are Proud To Present A Presentation ... by Jackie Sibblies Drury at Soho Rep in New York.

The Opera House Players Will Present BROADWAY AND THE BLUES, 6/1

(5/21/2013) - The Opera House Players will present 'Broadway and the Blues,' a summer Cabaret-style show on Saturday, June 1 at 8pm at the Broad Brook Opera House, 107 Main Street, Broad Brook, CT.

Ridgefield Theatre Barn to Open I DO! I DO!, May 31

(5/20/2013) - From the creators of The Fantasticks! comes this fun musical comedy about the ups and downs of marriage - and you don't want to miss it! With Book & Lyrics by Tom Jones and Music by Harvey Schmidt, based on the play Fourposter by Jan de Hartog, I DO! I DO! is directed by Richard Grasso with musical direction by John Rose. Produced by Cheryl Boyd.

BWW TV: She's Lookin' Swell! Klea Blackhurst and Cast of Goodspeed's HELLO DOLLY Meets the Press; Plus a Performance Preview!

(5/20/2013) - Dolly looks swell as ever as Goodspeed Musicals brings everyone's favorite meddlesome matchmaker to its main stage. Hello, Dolly! will run from June 28 - September 8 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be July 17, 2013.Leading the cast in the role of Dolly Levi will be cabaret diva Klea Blackhurst. Ms. Blackhurst is best known for her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow, which she has performed in venues across the U.S. and in London. She was most recently seen in Happy Huntingat The York Theatre. She also created the role of Miss Lemon in the new musical The Nutty Professor, which premiered this past summer in Nashville. The cast and creative team met the press earlier today and BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with the whole gang. Check out what they had to say and catch a performance preview below!

Photo Coverage: Klea Blackhurst, Ashley Brown & Cast of Goodspeed's HELLO DOLLY! Meets the Press

(5/20/2013) - Dolly looks swell as ever as Goodspeed Musicals brings everyone's favorite meddlesome matchmaker to its main stage. Hello, Dolly! will run from June 28 - September 8 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be July 17, 2013.Leading the cast in the role of Dolly Levi will be cabaret diva Klea Blackhurst. Ms. Blackhurst is best known for her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow, which she has performed in venues across the U.S. and in London. She was most recently seen in Happy Huntingat The York Theatre. She also created the role of Miss Lemon in the new musical The Nutty Professor, which premiered this past summer in Nashville. The cast and creative team met the press earlier today and you can check out complete photo coverage from the festivities below!

Westport Country Playhouse's THE SHOW OFF Begins 6/11

(5/20/2013) - Westport Country Playhouse will stage the classic comedy, "The Show-Off," described as a funny, surprising, and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth, playing from June 11 through June 29. Cast in principal roles are 2013 Drama Desk Award winner Jayne Houdyshell as the imperious Mrs. Fisher, and Drama Desk nominee Will Rogers as Aubrey Piper, the show-off of the title.

The Hartt School Welcomes Javon Jackson as Associate Professor of Jazz

(5/20/2013) - The Hartt School will welcome acclaimed tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson as Associate Professor of Jazz and Chair of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. Jackson, who's appointment begins in August, will serve as the educational and administrative leader for the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, and will teach, work with ensembles, assist in recruitment and development efforts, and represent the Institute and The Hartt School both internally and externally.

Now Playing Onstage in Connecticut - Week of 5/19/2013

(5/19/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/19/2013 for Connecticut

BWW Reviews: Bipolar Disorder Drives the Beat in a NEXT TO NORMAL Household

(5/18/2013) - Kitt's score and Brian Yorgey's book and lyrics combine for one of the deepest and moving shows to hit a Broadway stage. It's not the typical subject matter for a musical (the theater suggests that it is appropriate for children 16 and up), but you should take advantage of an opportunity to see this excellent rock musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. That sandwich-making scene in the opening act is terrific as directed by Janine Molinari with De Laurentis skillfully portraying the frenzied breakdown as Diana tries to cope.

BWW Reviews: Racism Takes Up Residence in CLYBOURNE PARK

(5/18/2013) - Have you heard the one about a little white man thrown in a jail cell with a big black guy? If not, you can catch this, and a few other offensive jokes over at Long Wharf Theatre, where they pepper the dialogue in Bruce Norris' CLYBOURNE PARK, the Pulitzer-Prize winning play that explores themes of racism, gentrification and the way Americans relate to each other.

BWW Reviews: POTTED POTTER at The Bushnell is Mischief Mangled

(5/18/2013) - POTTED POTTER has critic taking Dolores Umbridge.

BWW Reviews: Hole in the Wall Theatre's HOUSE OF A YES is a Definite Maybe

(5/18/2013) - Dark and twisted, Hole in the Wall's HOUSE OF YES is Jackie O No!

Long Wharf Theatre Partners with New Haven Public Library for CLYBOURNE PARK Talks, May 2013

(5/18/2013) - Long Wharf Theatre and the New Haven Free Public Library announce a series of community conversations taking place in May about the complex issues of race and real estate in the city of New Haven.

Newington Mainstage Opens THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: CAPS & GOWNS Tonight

(5/18/2013) - Having maintained the set, costumes and cast - Newington Mainstage is very excited to be re-mounting the production - for TWO performances only - tonight, May 18 at 8pm and Sunday, May 19 at 2pm.

Hartford Stage Opens TWELFTH NIGHT Tonight

(5/18/2013) - Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, presents Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, directed by Tresnjak, on stage from tonight, May 18 through June 16.

Ridgefield Theater Barn Hosts FUNDAMENTALS OF IMPROV Teen Workshop, Now thru 6/29

(5/18/2013) - The Ridgefield Theater Barn has introduced a new workshop for teens, The Fundamentals of Improv class taught by Rick Hodder, the director of the wildly successful in-house improv comedy troupe, the Role in the Hay Players.

POTTED POTTER Brings Magic to The Bushnell Tonight

(5/17/2013) - Starvox Entertainment and Potted Productions' hit off-Broadway show, Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience - A Parody by Dan and Jeff is coming to the Belding Theater at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts for two weekends in May: tonight, May 17-19, 2013 and May 24-26, 2013.

MTC School of Performing Arts Begins LUCKY STIFF Tonight

(5/17/2013) - Music Theatre of Connecticut School of Performing Arts presents 'Lucky Stiff,' a zany, offbeat, and very funny murder mystery farce from the creators of 'Ragtime' and 'Once on This Island' tonight, May 17 at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 18 at 2pm at the Theatre Artists Workshop, 5 Gregory Blvd in Norwalk, CT.

The Midtown Men Play The Palace Tonight

(5/17/2013) - THE MIDTOWN MEN, which features Four Stars from the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys, make a stop on their nation-wide tour at Stamford's Palace Theatre tonight, May 17th at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.SCAlive.org. THE MIDTOWN MEN is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor Next Health LLC and sponsor First County Bank.

Square One Theatre Presents A.R. Gurney's BLACK TIE, Now thru 6/1

(5/17/2013) - The final production of Square One Theatre's 23rd Season is the gentle comedy, Black Tie, by the prolific contemporary American playwright A.R. ('Pete') Gurney. Black Tie opens tonight, May 17 and continues todays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Saturday, June 1 (2013) at Square One's home base, the Stratford Theatre, located at 2422 Main Streetin Stratford, Connecticut.

Joe Calarco, Gabriel Barre, Saheem Ali to Direct at O'Neill's 2013 National Music Theater Conference, June-July 2013

(5/16/2013) - Paulette Haupt, Artistic Director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Music Theater Conference, today announced directors of the three projects selected for development at the 2013 Conference, as well as a Composer in Residence.

Photo Flash: First Look at Alice Ripley, Daniel Jenkins and More in Long Wharf's CLYBOURNE PARK

(5/15/2013) - Long Wharf Theatre concludes its 2012-13 season with Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Clybourne Park, by Bruce Norris, and directed by Associate Artistic Director Eric Ting. The play is now playing on The Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck III Mainstage from through June 2, 2013. Tickets are $40-$70. The press opening is May 15, 2013 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below!

Long Wharf Theatre Announces Upcoming Plays: Steve Martin's THE UNDERPANTS, FENCES and More

(5/14/2013) - Long Wharf Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, announces the slate of plays for its 49th season.

Phylicia Rashad-Helmed FENCES, World Premiere of SHADOW OF THE HUMMINGBIRD and More Set for Long Wharf Theatre's 2013-14 Season

(5/13/2013) - Long Wharf Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, announces the slate of plays for its 49th season.

The Windham Theatre Guild Presents LEND ME A TENOR, Beginning 5/31

(5/13/2013) - A world famous tenor, about to perform as "Othello", accidentally overdoses and is believed dead by Max, the opera company's assistant manager. Should Max get into costume and try to fool the audience? Find out when the Windham Theatre Guild presents Ken Ludwig's award winning comedy Lend Me A Tenor, running May 31st through June 9th at the Burton Leavitt Theatre.

Now Playing Onstage in Connecticut - Week of 5/12/2013

(5/12/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/12/2013 for Connecticut

Ridgefield Theater Barn to Host FUNDAMENTALS OF IMPROV Teen Workshop, 5/18-6/29

(5/11/2013) - The Ridgefield Theater Barn has introduced a new workshop for teens, The Fundamentals of Improv class taught by Rick Hodder, the director of the wildly successful in-house improv comedy troupe, the Role in the Hay Players.

BWW Reviews: IN A YEAR WITH 13 MOONS Puzzles Audience -- and Critic

(5/10/2013) - As a critic, my first obligation is to be honest, so my readers will trust me when reporting on my experiences in the theater. After seeing the world premiere of In a Year With 13 Moons at Yale Rep, I have to tell you the truth. I didn't get it.