FUNDRAISER FOR THE KATE: “LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE”

Every woman has items in her closet that scream familiarity and comfort, items that will never be consigned to a Goodwill store or, heaven forbid, tossed out with the trash. The joy of donning such a wardrobe essential is symbolic of love and devotion. Did you ever dream that the items hanging pristinely in your closet could be the subject of a play, a comedy with bittersweet moments at that? Come to The Kate in Old Saybrook, dressed however you desire, for an inside look at Nora and Delia Ephron’s fashionably chic take on women and their wardrobes “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” on Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 16 at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 18 at 2 p.m. These performances are a gift to The Kate, the Katharine Hepburn Theater, 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, from the Saybrook Stage Company who have been calling the Kate their theatrical home since their founding in 2011. Founder, director, producer and actress Terri Corigliano, with her husband Cosmo, wanted to create a shoreline theater eleven years ago. Now, with the pandemic, she feels this is a wonderful time to thank The Kate with a fundraiser. According to Terri, "I saw this piece performed a number of years ago and it made such an impression on me. I laughed out loud at so many of the anecdotes and the style of the piece really enables the actors to connect with the audience on such a personal level -- it's like a relaxing evening out with your best friends. Ever since then, I wanted to bring it to The Kate's stage and this summer gave us the perfect opportunity. Now more than ever, we need to focus on unity and how much we all need each other. So many of our stories and feelings are universal. Finally, we can reconnect, laugh and enjoy each other's company.” Based on a book by Ilene Beckerman, the sisters Ephron expanded the themes by inviting a hundred friends to write a monologue about identity and clothing and the result is twenty-eight stories performed by five actresses, in this case Terri Corigliano, Kelly Boucher, Mary Corigliano, Leslie Singer and Karen Gagliardi, in a series of vignettes. What is the proper attire for a high school prom and does it depend on the cuteness of your date? Maybe you have a favorite purse that goes with any outfit or a pair of shoes that compliment any style. Or do you have the ubiquitous little black dress that completes you no matter the occasion? Help the Saybrook Stage Company celebrate The Kate. For tickets ($15-20), call 860-510-0453 or online at www.thekate.org. Also watch for the January 2022 Saybrook Stage Company production of “The Man Who Came To Dinner” at The Kate, of course, by visiting www.SaybrookStage.org. Come out of your closet and hang on to some marvelous “material” memories, where men can collect some valuable “insights,” in this delightful, heartfelt, and intimate collection of monologues and ensemble pieces about females and their fashions.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS IN NORWALK AT MTC

Music Theatre of Connecticut kicked off its summer season of Hot Summer Nights with an evening with Frank Mastrone who delighted the audience with “For the First Time in Forever, We’re Not Home,” a takeoff on the joy of being live in theater and no longer sitting in quarantine alone at home. With a rich, robust and hearty voice, he shared some of his favorite Broadway tunes from shows like “Frozen,” “Matilda,” “Phantom,” “Les Mis,” “Cabaret,” “Baby” and “Dear Evan Hansen,” many of which he performed. Whether he was crooning Bob Dylan or Steven Sondheim or Elton John, Mastrone was ever the showman and brought Broadway back better than ever. Get the candelabra glowing and don some glitter for one of the most gifted pianists is waltzing into town. Hold on to the ivories as David Maiocco’s recreates and pays tribute to Liberace with a cabaret performance you won’t want to miss, The baby grand will sing with authenticity and accuracy and joy as David dons the capes and persona of the great man himself on Saturday, July 10 at 8 p.m. “The Music of Jerome Kern” will sing out gloriously on Saturday, July 31 when Raisssa Katona Bennett takes center stage, opening the American songbook to some of music theater’s favorites. With style and charm, animation and confidence, she will infuse life into the lyrics of Kern’s most beloved offerings, like “Show Boat” and “Very Good Eddie.” Of the seven hundred songs he wrote, perhaps we will hear such classics as “Ol’ Man River,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “All the Things You Are,” “A Fine Romance” and "I’ve Told Every Little Star.” Hot Summer Nights will conclude with a triumphant bang as cabaret crooner Jeff Harnar entertains with “It’s DeLovely: Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter” on Saturday, August 7. Hopefully Harnar will hopscotch along many of Porter’s favorites like “Anything Goes,” “Kiss Me, Kate,” and “Can, Can,” pausing to alight on such standards as “Night and Day,” “Begin the Beguine,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “You’re the Top.” For tickets ($40-50), call Music Theatre of CT, 509 Westport Avenue, Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or online at musictheatreofct.com. All safety procedures will be observed. Don’t let your summer season pass by without stopping at MTC for a musical cabaret tuneup that is sure to rev your engines and have you performing in tiptop shape.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT GOODSPEED BY THE RIVER

What better time or better season to sit back and savor summer with Goodspeed by the River’s tempting schedule of concerts from now until August 1. You know you are anxious to embrace entertainment and this series of events in a large tent on the Connecticut River in East Haddam, in the shadow of the Goodspeed Opera House, are a perfect place to start living again. First up was the spirited vocal team of Dee Roscioli and Ben Clark who helped “Turn Back Time” to the 1970’s, 1980’s and Beyond. They hopscotched through their favorites, lighting on Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, the Bee Gees, and Prince, with sounds as sweet and smooth as Tennessee whisky. On a mean guitar, Ben shared some of his tunes from his musical “The Circus in Winter” that played at the Norma Terris Theatre, where he first met Dee. She also vocalized her hits garnered from playing Elphaba in “Wicked” and Cher in “The Cher Show.” The iconic Pearl Bailey will be immortalized as “The Ambassador of Love" from June 22 to July 18 as Broadway and Goodspeed favorite Rashidra Scott takes center stage. She will surely shine a beacon on the legendary hits that punctuated Bailey’s decades of successes. Hopefully she will alight on Pearl’s wonderful turn as Dolly Levy in “Hello, Dolly!” Who could ask for more than the impressive pairing of Tony Bennett and Barbara Streisand’s songs, courtesy of Jackie Burns and Joe Cassidy in their savory salute “Bennett & Babs: The Songs of Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand” taking center stage from June 23 to July 4. The American Songbook will surely explode with red, white and blue fireworks. If you were fortunate enough to see and hear the Goodspeed musical “Passing Through” you will remember its stars Max Chernin and Celeste Rose. They are "Together Again: Max and Celeste Sing Their Broadway Favorites” and you can be in the audience to delight in every tune. Be sure to attend from July 7 to July 18 for a front row seat. Complementing the roster of hits is a foot stompin’ down-home jamboree of joy as the finest fiddler in Georgia pits his wits against the devil himself in the concert version of “Johnny & the Devil’s Box” from July 22 to August 1. You may find yourself levitating right out of your seat as the music grabs you and spins you into the atmosphere. Just added is "Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical" in the tent August 4-29 and you don't want to be left out of the musical magic. Broadway's Laiona Michelle will do the honors royally, as writer and singer, telling the story of the legendary performer and activist through her exuberant story. With tunes like "Feeling Good," "Ooh Child," "My Way" and many more, this "High Priestess of Soul" will be revealed in all her glory. For tickets ($45, or buy tickets for 3 or more shows and save $5 a ticket), call 860-873-8668. First responders, healthcare workers and teachers are invited to Hero Wednesdays with a $5 discount on Wednesdays. For $69, enjoy a Gelston Dinner Package on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Go to goodspeed.org for more information.Check times, 2 p.m and 7 p.m., for all shows, performed rain or shine. Make your summer memorable by participating in one or all of Goodspeed’s parade of concerts, sponsored by Community Health Center, Inc., that are guaranteed to make you feel alive once again.

THE NEW LEGACY THEATRE IS SERVING UP “JUST DESSERTS”

Move over, Martha Stewart, there’s some musical baking competition knocking at your door. Grab your rolling pins and aprons and watch five eager competitors vie for the title of Best Chef at the Jefferson County Bake-Off until Sunday, June 27 as “Just Desserts” is deliciously served up at the new jewel box, the Legacy Theatre at 128 Thimble Islands Road, in the charming Stony Creek section of Branford. Formerly the historic Puppet House Theater, where Orson Wells trod the boards and giant Sicilian puppets waged war, the Legacy Theatre has been ten years in the making and it is well worth the wait. Now is the time to show your support by attending “Just Desserts” A Musical Bake-Off with music by Brad Ross and book and lyrics by Barbara Campbell, and perfectly creative baking by director Bert Bernardi. It’s county fair time and your genial and jovial master of ceremonies Zack, a suave Jimmy Johansmeyer, has set aside his meteorologist cap to preside over the competition. Will the four year reigning queen Mildred, a determined Mary Ann Frank, continue her reign or will she be replaced by the eager young novice Emma, armed with a business degree as a detail oriented accountant, a focused Alyssa Bianca, who is intent on making it big? Or perhaps it will be the bubbly and effervescent Brandy, an intoxicating Mary Mannix, who will drink in the accolades as head chef? Wouldn’t it be ironic if Jean, who doesn’t really want to be on stage, and would rather be hiding her talents with the bandages and pills she dispenses as school nurse, take home the prize? Susan Kulp’s Jean is sweetly reluctant to admit her fondness for the competition unless it’s to admit her attraction to the dark horse stranger Lou, from the Bronx, a mysterious Perry Liu, who adventurously pitted lemons and olives in his first entry. The five remaining are challenged to bake cookies, pies and a wedding cake and tempt the judges to award them points. Fiercely they battle to win, some stooping to trickery and sabotage to swing the votes their way. With songs like “Improvise,” “Ready or Not” and “Eyes on the Prize,” they juggle difficult family matters, boyfriends and egos as the competition gets fiercer and the winner gets closer to being announced. Plan to root for your favorite as each is willing to risk everything for the coveted title. Now is the perfect time to support the newest theatre on the block as the Legacy Theatre opens its inaugural season. For tickets, call 203-315-1901 or online at info@LegacyTheatreCT.org or www.LegacyTheatreCT.org.. Performances in delightful air-conditioning are Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Plan to have lunch or dinner at one of the seashore eateries or dine at home, but leave room for a hearty serving of “Just Desserts” courtesy of the Legacy Theatre. You’ll be deliciously satisfied and may even ask for a second helping, but maybe not of the lemon and olive cookies (sorry, Lou).

ADVENTURE ON THE HORIZON

After fourteen months in virtual hibernation I was ready for an adventure. An invitation to my brother’s home in Lexington, Massachusetts was the catalyst for gassing up the car, locating a missing suitcase and evaluating a wardrobe that has been unseen for a millenium. Packing was difficult because I haven’t done it in so long and there were so many items to remember, like my daily schedule of pills and my phone charger, not to mention socks and shoes and sweaters. Unfortunately the weather was not encouraging with rain followed by, you guessed it, more rain. Yet I set off Saturday morning at 9:03, only 3 minutes late. I sailed along until I approached Hartford and the exit 29 turn off to Boston. Normally there is a long delay as one maneuvers through the mass of cars on the right hand side of the highway. Not this time. The exit was now on the left and the wait was an easy half hour. Did the powers that be keep both exits open? NO! Did the engineers make the left hand exit a double lane? NO! What a bummer! Safely through the jam up, I made it to Massachusetts only to find that all the exit numbers on the Mass. Pike and Route 95 had been changed by gremlins. I was afraid that I might not remember the way and I had no bread crumbs with me, but, give me a break, whose idea was it to renumber all the exits. Just so you know, exit 14 is now 123. No rhyme or reason that I could see. Arriving after 3 hours, I was welcomed like a long lost princess. My brother Myles and wife Judy ushered me in and then we were off to visit my nephew Seth, wife Amy, Amy’s parents in from Cleveland and the most precious and precocious little girl on the planet, Sophia. Remember she is the one to ask the Four Questions in Hebrew and in English at Passover and she is only 2. Sophia was dressed in a red dancing outfit with a tutu skirt and she carried a teddy bear everywhere. I brought her five new books including 2 of her favorites, stickers. and one book with her name on it, Sophia and the Purple Suitcase. She proceeded to take all the stickers and paste them on top of one another, like a mini-tower. I also was conducted by the little guide on a tour of the house. Adults played mah-jongg and ate the Keto treats Seth had baked, all of which resembled dry manna from the desert. We dined at home on turkey and corned beef, while Judy, the vegetarian, ate asparagus and an egg sandwich. That night and the next day we played word games and Rummy Q. The planned BBQ was rained out on Sunday but we amused ourselves playing pool and Scattergories and crossword puzzles from the New York Times. A yummy Chinese meal was enjoyed. On Monday, the clouds were still gray but the rain stopped and the BBQ was rescheduled for good friends Edward and Ros. After a lovely visit, I got back in the car for a ride home with half of the world. I arrived weary but happy for having ventured across state lines and eager to plan more adventures in the almost normal future.