"Another Opening..." Plus "Wicked" Women

It’s fall, which means it’s theater season here in Connecticut, and new productions are opening as fast as the leaves are falling. Here’s just a sampling:

Over the Tavern, by Tom Dudzick, recently opened up at Seven Angels in Waterbury. It’s about a slightly dysfunctional family dealing with a son who’s too smart for his own – and the Catholic Church’s – good. Richard Christiansen, of the Chicago Trib, called the play “A hilarious and touching depiction of 1959 Americana.”

Also currently running is City of Angels out at the Goodspeed Opera House. It’s a musical spoof of 1940s detective movies, with parallel stories of a crime fiction writer and his “creation,” a shamus who just won’t shut up…or stay on the page.

It’s been some time since the Westport Country Playhouse has staged a play by the Bard, but hopefully the wait will have been worth it. Twelfth Night opened Oct. 11 under the direction of Mark Lamos, the Playhouse’s artistic director.

Mahira Kakkar and Lucas Hall. Photo by T. Charles Erickson

As with most of Shakespeare’s comedies, there’s a lot of ribaldry and mistaken identities, as well as a pair of yellow stockings cross-gartered (trust me – wear them and the ladies will swoon). Should be a lot of fun. (A review of the play will appear here next week).

The latter part of October offers a host of new plays. On the 21^st, The Yale Repertory Company will present the world premiere of Amy Herzog’s Belleville. It’s about an American couple living in Paris whose “perfect” marriage falls apart when the wife comes home unexpectedly to find…well, you’ll have to see the play. Not for the younger set – there’s strong language, nudity and what is somewhat euphemistically termed “adult content.” (A review of the play will appear here.)

The following week, “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” opens (Oct 26) at Long Wharf Theatre and Moliere’s The Miser opens (Oct 27) at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Storrs.

The musical revue is a tribute to “Fats” Waller and many other black artists who fueled the musical portion of the Harlem Renaissance in the 20’s and 30’s. It’s rhythmic and raunchy,  with a hell of a finale.

Moliere’s satire deals with a penny-pinching father and his children who conspire to break free from the parental (cheap) chains. Of special note in the play is Moliere’s use of asides -- comments by an actor directed to the audience that none of the other characters are supposed to hear. Well, Moliere doesn’t honor the convention – in essence there’s a lot of: “Who the hell are you talking to?”

Finally, early November (the 4^th) brings us Cabaret at Westport’s MTC Mainstage. I’m really looking forward to this production, given the ‘intimate’ nature of MTC’s venue. Don’t know how I’m going to feel being mere inches away from the Kit Kat Klub’s girls – it’s a question of how aesthetic distance is handled, and I’m eager to see the answer. (A review of the musical will appear here.)

“Wicked” Women

Also of great interest is the first presentation of the Edgerton Center’s (Sacred Heart Univ.) 2011-12 Broadway Series. On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Center will be hosting Women of “Wicked,” featuring Dee Roscioli,

Dee Roscioli

who played Elphaba on Broadway in “Wicked.” She will be joined by other women who have performed in the musical for an evening of Broadway music and backstage insights. For those who love Broadway – and/or “Wicked”—it sounds like a must-see evening (two performances at 6 and 9 p.m.).

For more theater news, plus reviews of current shows and Connecticut casting calls, go to www.ctcritics.org

For the Kids

There's a lot going on right now for young theatergoers.

First the irrepressible Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer of Pantochino Productions are staging "Cinderella Skeleton - The Musical" at Arts Hall from Oct. 21 through the 30th.

Mary Mannix as Cinderella Skeleton

For those of you who haven't seen a Bernardi/Johansmeyer production, it's always a hoot for all members of the family. Most of the productions are takes on British panto (pantomime) -- songs, buffoonery and slapstick -- with a storyline that's easy for young folks to follow. I've attended their productions in the past and the kids in the audience have always been dancing in the aisles -- they love it.

For more information or tickets you can go to http://www.cinderellaskeleton.com/

Next, Fairfield University's Quick Center will be hosting "Masked Marvels and Wondertails" at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.

"Masked Marvels" features Michael Cooper, who, as the Center's press release describes, "is a one-man extravaganza combining breathtaking handcrafted masks, original stories of courage and wonder, outlandish stilt dancing and a physical repertoire that ranges from the madcap to the sublime."

Michael Cooper as one of his "Marvels"

The show is sure to have young jaws dropping and eyes agape as Cooper weaves his highly visual magic.

You can call 203-254-4010 for tickets or go to http://www.quickcenter.com/

"In the Heights" and Westport Country Playhouse

News

“In the Heights,” which won big at the Tony Awards in 2008, will be running at The Palace in Waterbury Nov. 4 – 5. It’s a high-energy show with Latin-laced rhythms and a solid book about the value of “home.” Think “Our Town” with salsa. For tickets call 203-346-2000.

Westport Country Playhouse is well into its 2011 season, but plans are already in place for next year’s productions, and it looks like a very interesting season. The Playhouse is leading off with Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” – one of my favorites -- to be directed by Mark Lamos, the venue’s artistic director. He’ll also be directing the world-premiere comedy, “Harbor,” by Chad Beguelin, and the Playhouse’s associate artistic director, David Kennedy, will helm the staging of Moliere’s “Tartuffe.”
Outside directing talent will fill out the bill. First, Nicholas Martin, who has directed many Broadway and Playhouse productions, will guide the staging of “The Year of Magical Thinking,” featuring Maureen Anderman. The play’s based on Joan Didion’s award-winning book. The Playhouse will also be offering Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” to be directed by Phylicia Rashad.

Phylicia Rashad

She won the Drama Desk and Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance as Lena Younger in the Broaddway production of the Hansberry play, and also directed it for the Ebony Repertory Theatre.

News Plus Linda Eder

NEWS

You may think that staged readings lack the dynamics of a fully staged production, but a staged reading – where the actors simply (no, not ‘simply’) deliver their lines – often sitting on stools without benefit of costumes, props or sets – can be extremely satisfying. That’s because you, as an audience member, have to “fill in the blanks,” which means you are totally engaged, you’re an intimate part of the performance.

A staged reading also highlight the actor’s craft – how voice, intonation and body “language” can convey a world of meaning.

If you don’t believe me, why not take in the Aglet Theatre Company’s staged reading of August Strinberg’s “Dance of Death,” on Saturday, Oct. 22.  As described in Aglet’s press release, it’s about “a marriage gone diabolic.”  Think Victorian “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”

Give it a shot – then go out for cocktails and discussion – It’s at the TriArts Sharon Playhouse – call 860-435-6928 for tickets or more information.

Benefit

There’s a benefit scheduled for the Hartford Children’s Theatre on Friday, Oct. 28, that offers a lot of sizzle. Matt Cavenaugh and Jenny Powers, husband and wife, will be performing “Direct From Broadway” at the Marquee (

960 Main Street

), in the heart of Hartford.

Buy a ticket and you get a one-hour open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Rev it up with a Red Carpet Level Ticket and you get a pre-show champagne reception with the stars, plus other goodies.

Powers was last seen on Broadway as Rizzo in the revival of “Grease,” and Cavenaugh got a nod from the Outer Critics’ Circle and Drama League for his performance as “Tony” in the revival of “West Side Story.” In other words, these folks know what they are doing with regards to selling a Broadway song. Sounds like the makings of a scintillating night.

For more information or tickets, call 860-249-7970 or go to http://www.hartfordchildrenstheatre.org/

As an a aside

For those of you interested in different takes on Broadway musical standards, you might want to check out Linda Eder’s “Broadway My Way.” Eder is a true “belter,” so listening to the whole CD in one sitting might be a bit too much, but if you dip into it you’ll find some amazing performances. Of special note is her take on “Man of La Mancha.” Listen to it and you’ll want to go out and tilt at windmills.

News on Monday, Oct.3

News

Long Wharf Theatre is running its 5^th annual Discovery Day on Saturday, Nov. 19. Billed as a “fun family (kids ages 3 and up) open house event,” it will allow kids to become their own special kind of superhero. Under the guidance of two “headmistresses,” the kids will learn a little bit about theater and acting as well as have the opportunity to make masks…and a whole lot more. Sounds like a lot of fun – for more info call 203-787-4284 or go to http://www.longwharf.org/.

Things are happening up in Hartford. First, Hartbeat Ensemble is celebrating its 10^th anniversary by running an encore performance of “Flipside!” – it’s the story of a Hartford teen named Bo and an undercover Narc named Nick -- the human side of the “War on Drugs.” Performances: Oct 13 – 29 on the ground floor of  The Hollander Building –

410 Asylum St

.

For tickets or more info call 860-548-9144.

Meanwhile, Playhouse on Park will be staging Arthur Miller’s “An Enemy of the People” from Oct 12 thru Oct. 30. This is Miller’s adaptation of Ibsen’s 1882 play, “En folkefiende” (gotta love “folkefiende” – how tame and ‘vanilla’ “an enemy of the people” sounds in comparison), which Ibsen wrote after people got all bent out of shape after they saw his “Ghosts.” The Playhouse’s production features Michael McKenzie

Michael McKenzie

                                                                                                                               

as the upright Dr. Stockman, a man who flies in the face of prejudice and ignorance to do what’s right (we all know what happens to those guys). For more info or tickets go to www.PlayhouseOnPark.org.   

Moving Away From "Dead Tree" Reviews

I love the theater, and for the past four or five years I've been privileged to reviews plays for the Brooks Community chain of newspapers. Alas, the relationship is coming to an...almost...end. "Budgets," the editors say, dictate that reviews such as mine are no longer cost effective.

So I turn to the electronic media. as many of my compatriots have. I step off into...whatever is out there.

My blog will provide news about what is going on in Connecticut theater, as well as reviews of current plays. Comments, of course, are always welcome.

Take a breath...hit a key...and here we go.