"THIS BITTER EARTH" PROBES ISSUES OF LOVE, LOSS AND RACE

The lyrics to the song “What the world needs now is love sweet love” is no more true than in the tale of Jesse and Neil, who meet at a time when their relationship is questioned and threatened. Being black and gay has never been an easy path for Jesse and meeting the privileged white Neil seems a welcome gift to his world. Until Sunday, March 20, TheaterWorks Hartford is focusing an intense spotlight on their lives in Harrison David Rivers’ emotionally powerful and deeply personal “This Bitter Earth.” Despite the progress we have made in race relationships, through the civil rights movement, and embracing Black Lives Matter, the world still has a long way to go in acceptance. We are not color blind and race still divides rather than unites us. Damian Thompson’s Jesse and Tom Holcomb’s Neil still have mountains to conquer in their quest to be accepted. They struggle to find a footing in their daily lives and in the community in which they live. They discover their own families may not be the supportive allies they’d hoped for and their personal problems may cause issues. Neil has become an activist, proudly fighting for Jesse’s rights while Jesse is reluctant to enter the fray. Do they dare to embrace love in these complex and disturbing times? From the two men we learn certain truths: life is precious; prayers and love don’t stop bullets; love someone for the way they are; take care of your blessings. They talk directly to the audience effectively breaking the fourth wall, confessing their fears and embracing their dreams. David Mendizabal directs this intimate encounter of two men as they stand together to proudly face down the universe. For tickets ($25-65), call TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or go online at twhartford.org. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. You can order streaming from March 7-20. Remember to bring proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test and wear a mask. Hopefully a world where love sweet love exists is just over the horizon.

PLACE YOUR MUSICAL ORDER FOR "WAITRESS" AT THE SHUBERT

Serving customers at a restaurant can be a fun or frustrating situation, depending on who is giving you their order. Whether you desire a fancy five-course dinner or just a slice of blueberry pie with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, your pleasure in your meal depends often as much on the server who brings it as it does on the food itself. If you are lucky, you might have Jenna wait on you and if you truly fortunate you might be feasting on a generous slice of one of her perfectly baked pies. Jenna has the reputation to have been trained in her culinary skills by the angels. From Friday, March 4 until Sunday, March 6, you are cordially invited to take a comfy seat at Joe’s Diner as the engaging musical “Waitress” with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and book by Jessie Nelson waltzes delightfully into New Haven’s historic Shubert Theatre. Jenna may be the queen of her baking skills but in the love and marriage department she is struggling. This sweet hearted woman is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband Earl, one that is truly complicated when she discovers she is pregnant. Jisel Soleil Ayon’s Jenna is finally forced to take some actions and resolve her personal problems. Her first step is to become a patient of Dr. Jim Pomatter, a gynecologist played by David Socolar, who takes more than a professional interest in Jenna’s situation. Her second step in getting her act together is to enter a pie baking contest in a nearby county. Armed with her unique recipes for such delights as Mermaid Marshmallow Pie, The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie,” the contest’s grand prize could just be the big chance she so desires. If she has the courage, Jenna’s third step will be taking a stand for happiness and freedom by abandoning her loveless marriage and leaving Earl. That recipe is more elusive than most and harder to find the proper ingredients for, but with the help and support from her sister servers, her crusty boss and her loyal customers, Jenna may just find the courage she needs to gain everything she is seeking. Additional cast members include Kennedy Salters, Gabriella Marzetta, Brian Lundy, Shawn W. Smith, Richard Coleman, and Michael R. Douglass as well as accompanying ensemble. Direction is by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus with energized choreography by Lorin Latarro. For tickets, please call the Shubert Theatre, 247 College Street, New Haven at 203-562-5666 or online at shubert.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours as well as masks are required. “Waitress” will also be coming to the Palace Theater in Waterbury from Friday, April 22 at 8 pm. and Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Call 203-346-2000 or go online to ticket sales.com. Check the menu for your choice of delectable slices of perfect pie and don’t forget to leave a generous tip for your favorite waitress.

SING SEA SHANTIES WITH THE LONGEST JOHNS AT THE KATE

Are you ready to abandon your sturdy land legs and venture out to sea? Do you enjoy the thrill of a fresh ocean breeze and the exhilaration and rush of bouncing off the waves? Have you ever run off to the ocean for pure pleasure and grand adventures? Without getting your feet wet or having to pull any heavy ropes, you can fancy yourself on the high seas thanks to a visit to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center for a sparkling evening with The Longest Johns on Saturday, February 26 at 8 p.m. Sea shanties are the singular speciality of The Longest Johns, who have just released their highly anticipated fourth album “Smoke and Oakum” on Decca Records. With an irresistible sound, The Longest Johns will carry you out of sea and bring you home again safely to shore, after an exciting time on the water. Whether they are providing a powerful a cappella delivery or accompanied by banjo, harmonium and whistle, this group of four hailing from Bristol, England have come a long way since they sang in a kitchen for their own entertainment. Now they rock their way to international folk festivals, television appearances and tours, racking up a huge following of fans in the process. The group ignited a fiery revival of sea shanties in 2021 with their hit tune Wellerman, a catchy ballad about a whale and a ship, the Billy of Tea, in competition for supremacy, for forty days or more. The ship is locked in a battle with the whale, a battle that may never end, while waiting for the “Wellerman” to arrive with luxuries like sugar and tea and rum. The tune hails from New Zealand and is almost 200 years old. It was written to honor the crews of whaling boats working for the largest whaling and export company, the Wellers. The whaling boats would be out at sea for weeks and even months and the company or “Wellerman” would send out supplies of food and drink to keep them going. For tickets ($36), call The Kate, 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook at 860-510-0453 or online at https://katharinehepburntheater.org. Bring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test and your mask. Come indulge your love of folk tunes and maritime songs, from this group who began at a barbecue for a laugh by singing a sea shanty in 2012. Come see how they’ve weathered the proverbial musical storm.

"TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY" CELEBRATED AT THE YALE REP

Emily Chang wants to discover who she is in this confusing world and she would welcome your support and encouragement on her journey. She has lived and worked in New York, and now after a traumatic break-up with her boyfriend Sebastian she is returning to her roots in Hawaii, hoping to accomplish some positive changes. Until Saturday, February 19, you are invited to accompany Emily on her convoluted travels as she seeks to find her way to adulthood, productivity and love at New Haven’s Yale Repertory Theatre. After a silence and absence of nearly two years, the Yale Rep is proud to present “Today is My Birthday” by Susan Soon He Stanton and directed by Mina Morita. Jeena Yi portrays a enterprising Emily who returns to her homeland in the hopes that all her questions will be answered and all her prayers will be granted. Her reunion with her parents is her first clue that everything is not well in the state of Denmark and further confirmation of unrest and problems surface quickly as she tries to gain employment. A temporary job as a technical writer is a far cry from her goal of creating her own digital magazine about art and criticism. This serious journalist is hampered by disappointments at every turn, until a chance encounter as a radio actress, performing soap opera type situations on Z101.3 with DJs Loki and Solange put a little sparkle in her dance steps. Her various encounters with men are alternately a disaster to mildly encouraging and her best friend Halima shares her marital woes with TMI, too much information. Helping her along the way are a talented troupe of actors who play everyone from past lovers to current parents, employers, friends and acquaintances - Francis Jue, Gabriel Brown, Chivas Michael, Emily Kuroda and Atra Asdou, twenty five characters in all. You will find yourself cheering Emily on, even as she dries her tears, screams with frustration, and sits alone, tied to her telephone for connection. For tickets ($10-65), call the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven at 203-432-1234 or online at https://yalerep.org. Performances are Tuesday to Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. All must show proof of vaccination status or recent COVID free test and wear a mask. Drop in on Emily’s life and help encourage her to grab her dreams and hold on tight. Aloha.

"FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE" A MUSICAL TRIUMPH AT PLAYHOUSE ON PARK

You might mistakenly think a musical about a guy who has just lost his gal, sweet Lorraine, after six years of cultivating a relationship, a fellow with no money, stuck in sadness in the darkest hours of the night, would be a downer. Yet when our sorry hero Nomax, a convincingly desperate Marcus Canada, admits his abject despair, his radio from the 1930's offers him an amazing parade of hope. Enter Big Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, No Moe and Little Moe to literally save his soul and his day. Get ready for the snappy and snazzy jazzy and blues stuffed magic of “Five Guys Named Moe” by Clarke Peters, featuring the greatest hits by saxophonist Louis Jordan shining brightly at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford until Sunday February 27. In the midst of a cold and dreary winter in New England, you owe yourself this sunny and special musical delight. Come make the acquaintance of Big Moe (Darren Lorenzo), Four-Eyed Moe (Jacquez Linder-Long), Eat Moe (Arnold Harper II), No Moe (Josh Walker) and Little Moe (Devin Price) who deliver a fully packed suitcase of more than two dozen hits that will have you singing and dancing along with glee. Tunes like “I Like ‘Em Fat Like That,” “Messy Bessy,” "Safe, Sane & Single,” "Saturday Night Fish Fry,” “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens,” "Choo Choo Ch’boogie” and "Is You Or Is You Ain’t My Baby?” jump and jive across James F. Rotondo II’s inviting stage under the direction of conductor Dexter Pettaway, Sr. A spectacular favorite was the sing and dance along hit “Push Ka Pi She Pie” that invited the audience in for the fun. Along the way Nomax is forced to see the errors of his way, smoking and drinking too much, failing to remember Lorraine’s birthday and, in general, not being a stand up kind of guy. Eventually the lessons sink in and Nomax pledges to reform and start anew. Hallelujah! Brittney Griffin does a stellar job as both choreographer and director. This African-American tribute to jazz and the blues is pure honeyed delight. For tickets ($37.50-50.00 ), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900, ext. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. Performances are Tuesday at 2 p.m., Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. A talk back with the cast follows the Sunday show. Next up is stop/time dance theater’s original production of Divas Double or Nothing from March 16-27. Don’t forget your vaccination card, ID and mask. Do yourself a favor and bop on over to Playhouse on Park for a painless and spirited injection of pure rhythm and joy.

THE BEEHIVE IS BACK IN FASHION AT SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE

Buy yourself a giant size can of Aqua-Net hairspray and a long teasing comb and prepare for a class in hair styling 101. It is time for teenage girls to remember and honor the past and create a masterpiece of hair fantasy known as the Beehive. The time would be the 1960’s and John F.Kennedy had just been elected President, girl groups like the Chiffons and the Shirelles would have been pining for boys and teenyboppers would have been in their glory. Now you have the unruly delightful opportunity to relive those days. Start tapping your go-go booted feet while humming sha-na-na or hay-la hay-la, and start grooving over to Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre by Sunday, February 6 for a restorative injection of the swinging sixties musical “Beehive” by creator Larry Gallagher. Forget that none of the six female vocalists - Amy Bentley, Brittany Mulcahy, Chelsea Dacey, Samantha Rae Bass, Erin West Reed and Morgan Griffin - were even a twinkle in their parents’ eyes six decades ago. These talented ladies have no trouble chronicling the Kennedy years, Elvis’ reign, the invasion of the Beatles and bringing back to life the music of the girl groups so popular then. With more than three dozen hits to parade, the sextet recreate Brenda Lee, Leslie Gore, Connie Francis, Aretha Franklin,Tina Turner and go across the pond to visit Petula Clark and Lulu. Favorites such as “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “Respect,” “It’s My Party,” “Where the Boys Are,” and “You Don’t Own Me “ are vocally energized as the platters spin. More than thirty great hits are revisited in royal style under the leadership of music director Sean Lewis. This is a glorious Stage 7 Community Production under the direction and choreography of Foster Reese. Just when our world needed an injection of joy, these gals delivered the goods and we thank them for their gifts.

MLK GOES TO "THE MOUNTAINTOP" AT MTC

Martin Luther King, Jr. stood tall as a champion of his people and of the Civil Rights Movement for change. The world became his pulpit as he gave speeches and led marches in his quest to improve the fate of African-Americans in a white dominated country. Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee is now a museum and has been one almost since April 4, 1968 when it became immortal. It was the motel balcony that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on when he was fatally shot. Music Theatre of Connecticut is recreating the momentum and majesty of the man as he climbed to "The Mountaintop" to proclaim his dream of freedom and equality for his people. Until Sunday, February 20, come and be inspired and educated about the Civil Rights leader who preached a peaceful resolution for the advancement of African-Americans. Like Moses who never lived to see the Promised Land, Martin Luther King, Jr. tragically never lived to see his dream become a reality. "The Mountaintop" by Katori Hall, taken from his impressive and impassioned speech "I've Been to the Mountaintop," imagines the night before he was killed. From the moment a charismatic and gifted Chaz Rose's King picks up his motel room phone, at midnight, to order a cup of coffee through room service, a fantasy unrolls as to what might have occurred that fateful night. Outside a storm of biblical proportions is raging, while in the room a conflicted Dr. King is trying to calm his jitters, find a cigarette, write his next speech and reach his wife Coretta to ask about his missing toothbrush. As thunder strikes a fever pitch, a young African-American motel maid delivers his order. Her first day on the job, she is, nonetheless, open and honest, outspoken and feisty in her treatment of this revered motel guest. She knows who he is and she is not awed but empowered to speak her own mind. Shavonna Banks' Camae is a woman on a mission, but that mission will remain a mystery for the moment. Banks is brilliant as she baits and comforts King, massaging his ego and his neck, as she provides coffee, his favorite cigarettes and a little "Irish" to his brew. With the skill of an interrogator, Camae allows an exhausted public leader to expose his fears and weaknesses while pointing out his triumphs and successes. She cloaks his doubts with the promise of hope, that even if he does not live to see his dream come to fruition others will carry on in his name. Gayle Samuels directs this highly emotional journey that carries the audience to the summit and over the top. For tickets ($45-65), call Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Avenue, Route 1, Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or online at www.musictheatreofct.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Be sure to bring proof of vaccination and a mask. Meet the man who pledged to preach until the day he died. Even though that day came much too soon, at only 39, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left an enduring legacy on America's conscience.