Connecticut Theater Reviews

BWW Reviews: CLYBOURNE PARK at Long Wharf Theatre

The rest of the story. (more...)

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

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. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Racism Takes Up Residence in CLYBOURNE PARK

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. (more...)

BWW Reviews: POTTED POTTER at The Bushnell is Mischief Mangled

POTTED POTTER has critic taking Dolores Umbridge. (more...)

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

Dark and twisted, Hole in the Wall's HOUSE OF YES is Jackie O No! (more...)

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

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. (more...)

BWW Reviews: It's a Recording Session from Hell When the Star Gets LOOPED

A single line of dialogue is the catalyst for Matthew Lombardo's multi-layered and laugh-filled play LOOPED making a tour stop this week at The Bushnell in Hartford. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE DINING ROOM at Westport Country Playhouse

What's on the menu? Nostalgia and Change (more...)

BWW Reviews: Goodspeed Scores Good Fun with GOOD NEWS to Field 50th

It's a simple tale, mostly predictable, but somehow perfect for the Goodspeed stage. It's light, fun and lends itself to big dance numbers and colorful costumes (Tracy Christensen, design), though nothing just smacks of the '20s, interestingly. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Broad Brook Opera House's NEXT TO NORMAL Challenges and Rewards

A harrowing journey into complex issues of mental illness is worthy theatre. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Suffield Players' AS YOU LIKE IT is As We Like It

After some big budget busts, the Bard bounces back. (more...)

BWW Reviews: This HAIRSPRAY Sticks and is Quite a Do!

Director Paul Mullins has teased together a terrific cast (the ensemble at 45+ is huge) starring comedian Kevin Meaney as Edna Turnblad, Tina Fabrique (Ella) as Motormouth Mabel and Lena Mary Amato as Tracy, reprising this role for the fifth time. (more...)

BWW Reviews: HartBeat Ensemble's RIDING THE TURNPIKE Drags the Strip

The Berlin Turnpike is home to hot meals, Home Depot and hookers. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Music Theater of CT's COLE Provides Quick Sing Through of Some Tunes

COLE (more...)

BWW Reviews: Shark Eats Shark, the Small Business in OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY at Ivoryton

'Shark-eats-little fish' and 'shark-eats-shark' set the stage for the underhanded word of corporate takeovers in Jerry Sterner's play, OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY over at Ivoryton Playhouse. (more...)

BWW Reviews: 8-Track, The Sounds of the 70's

Come on, get happy (more...)

BWW Reviews: Sisterhood Overcomes Evil in SISTER ACT Tour at the Bushnell

Ta'Rea Campbell stars as nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier, the role made famous in the film by Whoopi Goldberg (who is a producer on the show). When Deloris sees her lover, gangster Curtis Jackson (Kingsley Leggs, who originated the role on Broadway), murder a snitch she's marked for execution and seeks help from the Philadelphia Police. She's taken into protection by shy, former high school classmate and cop 'Sweaty' Eddie Souther, who still harbors a crush for the flamboyant Deloris. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE WIZARD OF ODDS in Bridgeport - A Tale Worth Retelling

Speak up! (more...)

BWW Reviews: Little Theatre of Manchester Brings OUR TOWN to Our Town

Timeless slice of life from Thornton Wilder still hits us where we live. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Connecticut Cabaret's LEND ME A TENOR Hits Some High Notes

Despite some sluggish pacing, CT Cabaret's TENOR sings a silly song. (more...)

BWW Reviews: A Tale as Tall as the Sky is Wide Sweeps Across Hartford Stage with ABUNDANCE

ABUNDANCE, Beth Henley's tale of two mail order brides out west in the last part of the 19th century, packs in everything you'd expect from a tall tale of life on the American frontier - and much more. Maybe too much. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE IMMIGRANT at Seven Angels Offers Storytelling at Its Best

Subtitled 'An American Musical,' it is in the truest sense the story of striving for the American Dream. Haskell (Max Bisantz) arrives in the small town of Hamilton, in Central Texas shortly after the turn of the century, pushing a banana cart and unable to speak English. Wary at first of the stranger, who also turns out to be a Jew, Milton and Ima (Paul Blankenship and Sarah Knapp) take him in. Milton, the town's banker, partners with Haskell to help build his business, which eventually turns into a dry goods store. When Haskell finally saves enough to bring his wife, Leah (Rita Markova), over from Russia, the friendship is tested, however. Haskell no longer is the observant Jew she married. The new country has changed him. He doesn't wear his hat, keep a Kosher home or observe the Sabbath any more. (more...)

BWW Reviews: RIDE THE TIGER at Long Wharf Theatre

He (or she) who rides a tiger can never descend. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE MOUNTAINTOP at TheaterWorks Hartford Recreates the Room and the Man

It's April 3, 1968 and the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., arrives at a Memphis motel after delivering his 'I've Been to the Mountaintop' speech. There, a mysterious maid bringing him a cup of room service coffee causes him to reflect on his life and destiny in Katori Hall's Olivier-winning play THE MOUNTAINTOP, running at TheaterWorks in Hartford. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Paul Giamatti's HAMLET at Yale Rep is 'Not To Be' Missed if You Want 'To Be' Entertained

Giamatti, a little older and less handsome-of-face than most Hamlets these days, brings out the tortured Dane prince's humorous side and in doing so, engages a younger generation that might not normally think several hours in a theater listening to Shakespeare could be a fun way to spend an evening. It sure is, however, thanks to Bundy's skill in allowing his actors to find fresh new interpretations while keeping them true to the classic. (more...)