BUSHNELL HAS SIZZLE IN THE FRYING PAN FOR "SOME LIKE IT HOT"

What might you do if you accidentally witness a murder, a gang hit, one you know will put you at the top of the “my life is going to end soon” list? Might you run off and join a convent, donning a nun’s habit to save your soul? Perhaps you might stick on a red nose and a clown’s costume and escape to the circus? A third choice might be to put on a wig and a dress and take a fast course in makeup application and join an all-girl band, using your musical talents to best advantage. If you are a pair of musicians named Joe and Jerry, the obvious direction is the band as an escape so the mob does not catch you.

The Bushnell’s Center for the Performing Arts has the frying pan set to sizzle as it presents “Some Like It Hot,” a riotous musical comedy created by Marc Shaiman for music, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, book by Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin from Tuesday, April 29 to Sunday, May 4 in Hartford. It’s the Prohibition Era and Joe and Jerry could certainly use a stiff drink as they transform themselves and inject their new personas into the all female band created by Sweet Sue. Surely you have fond memories of the original movie with Tony Curtis as Joe, now Josephine, Jack Lemmon as Jerry, now Daphne and Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane. Suddenly the race for survival is on, as the band chugs along by train to San Diego and eventually an escape by the guys to Mexico.

With the FBI and the gang leader Columbo in the chase, romantic entanglements complicate the band members, with scores of dance and song numbers lighting up the stage. Ambitions and deceptions are abundant, secrets are confessed, confusions are hilarious, escapes are close calls and the excitement is contagious. Come watch the Tip-Tap Twins become the Tip-Tap Trio, enter an eccentric millionaire who invented root beer, and scores of confused love affairs that are doomed to end in disappointment or will they? Non-stop adventure is the tune of the day and you will be carried along for a super special ride.

For tickets,($34 and up) call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at https://bushnell.org. Performances are Tuesday- Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Put on your dancing shoes and get in the race to help Joe and Jerry escape the mob and secure their future all at the same time.

PANTOCHINO PRODUCTIONS OF MILFORD OFFERS ORIGINAL MUSICAL FARCE

Pantochino Productions is inviting you to check-in to Room 11 at the Lux Carlyle Motel in Teaneck, New Jersey for a wild and wacky farce entitled “Tiaras Over Teaneck.” This original musical has a crazy storyline and lyrics penned by Bert Bernardi, bouncey music by Justin Rugg and colorful costuming by Jimmy Johansmeyer, will play weekends until Sunday, May 11 at the Milford Arts Council, The MAC, 40 Railroad Avenue, Milford. This show is best suited for those 13 and over.

A very over eager motal manager, better known as Tony Bennet, Killian Meehan to you, has registered every guest into the same room, number 11. That means the two sets of mothers and daughters Beverly Blithers and Bunianne, Mary Mannix and Sydney Yargeau, with Chartreuse Von Cleef and Connie, Shelley Marsh Poggio and Leanne Onofrio, are all heading for a big beauty contest in Atlantic City. Checking in next are two nuns who have awarded themselves a vacation, abandoning their habits, Thomasina and Mary Grace, Maria Berte and Rachelle Ianniello, followed closely by two ladies of the evening Ruby Mirage and Lickety Smith, Valerie Solli and Tracey Marble. Bringing up the rear are a pair of guys posing as policemen, Dickson and Cox, Jimmy Johansmeyer and Justin Rugg, who are desperately in search of a certain red suitcase with valuable contents. The problem is there are too many red suitcases hiding under the bed and in the closet. Which one has the loot?

In addition to the residents of the room there is a housekeeper Ida, Katie Durham, who keeps delivering towels and turns out to be smarter than anyone searching for treasure or adventure or becoming the winning contestant at the pageant. As in any true farce, there are an abundance of doors that slam from start to finish, as all the occupants run hither and yon chasing their dreams. Songs like “Fairest of the Fare,” “The Piper Must Be Paid,” and “The Night’s Not Over Yet” keep the action jumping. Opening night a full table of past beauty queens, complete with their coveted sashes from prior wins, happily encouraged the young contestants on stage.

For tickets ($35) go online to www.pantochino.com. This is cabaret seating so bring snacks and drinks to share. Tickets are online only. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Pantochino would welcome your financial support at The Great Give, May 7-8, a 36-hour online giving event to support local nonprofits. Your gift will be enhanced with matching gifts.

Come follow the excitement and shenanigans as a whole gang of unlikely people match wits and vie to be the winners of this crazy contest of competition takes tiaras and all the prizes.

PULITZER PRIZE WINNING DRAMA "PRIMARY TRUST" AT TWH

Trust is a promise that some one or some thing will honor a commitment, will do what they say they will, a feeling of confidence that one can feel safe and secure. What happens if trust does not exist, from a family member, a friend. a neighbor, even a stranger? Our whole foundation on how to depend on another person rests on these fundamental relationships. What happens when they don’t exist?

All our social interactions are the basis for trust. We need to have faith in each other and ourselves in all relationships for life, home, work, in society. TheaterWorks Hartford is offering a lesson in “Primary Trust,” a winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama by Eboni Booth, directed by Jennifer Chang until Sunday, May 11.

Come meet Kenneth, a late thirties-something African-American man, who has been hiding in the nooks and crannies of a used bookstore for decades. He is essentially hiding from life, stacking books by day and slurping mai tai drinks in a tiki bar named Wally’s by night. Without the companionship of his best friend Bert, he would be navigating life alone. Cranberry, New York is not a hot bed of social activity so when Kenneth is told by his boss Sam, an apologetic Ricardo Chavira, he is sick and selling out, Justin Weaks’ Kenneth in effect suffers a meltdown.

Having lost his mother when he was only ten, Kenneth must once again face a harsh reality. He must begin again. He must suddenly stand up for himself. He must find a new job. Most importantly, he must discover a new best friend because BBF Bert is imaginary. How Kenneth manages the nearly impossible tasks is a lesson in courage. His new boss Clay, also Ricardo Chavira, miraculously takes him under his wing at Primary Trust Bank and, like the Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” enbues Kenneth with new courage. Hilary Ward’s legion of friendly waitresses at Wally’s give him a sense of self-esteem and old pal Bert, Samuel Stricklen, sticks around long enough to seal the do-over deal.

For tickets ($25 and up), call TWH, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at twhartford.org. Performances are Tuesday-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. Come early to admire the art gallery of Alexandra Wahl in a series of quilted light boxes, “Community of Light.” suggested by the play and enjoy a cup of Mezzie’s ice cream before the 90 minute inermissionless show. Personally I vote for a cup of Heath Bar Crunch.

Watch how Kenneth struggles to create a new world for himself when his existing one crumbles like a sand castle enveloped by the ocean tide.

WELCOME SPRING IN CONCERT WITH "LEGENDS" BY CTGMC

What if all your favorite musical stars, of today and yesterday, on your personal hit parade gathered in the same place for one heavenly concert? The ultra talented members of the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus are planning such a stellar event soon for your listening enjoyment: “LEGENDS” on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main Street in Old Saybrook and Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Community Theatre in Fairfield.There are more tickets available right now in Fairfield so make your reservations soon.

Who would be on the top of your best super chart? Dolly or David Bowie, Britney or Barbra, Beyonce or Bruce, Elton or the Eurythmics? Are you a big fan of Elvis, old Blue Eyes, Lady Gaga or Donna Summer? Are you up for Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” or Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”? Maybe you love Elvis and would welcome him in the building crooning “Can’t Help Falling in Love” or the swinging style of Tom Jones swiveling with ”It’s Not Unusual.”

How about a little Shirley Bassey with a 007 James Bond theme like “Diamonds Are Forever”? Into rock and roll with The Four Tops and “Reach Out”? Get ready to chase after Bruce Springsteen’s "Born To Run,” or plan to swing and sway with Whitney Houston in “I Wanna Dance.” There are bound to be a plethora of favorites on this grand menu of musical surprises.

For 35 years and counting, the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus has held a banner high for community outreach organizations to raise awareness and dollars to support a variety of social and LGBT programming. Men of all orientations are welcome to join this dedicated gay community for fellowship and song.

For tickets, call or go online (The Kate $42, boxoffice@thekate, or 860-510-0453/ The SHU Community Theatre $38, boxoffice@sacredheart.edu, or call 203-371-7817).

WELCOME SPRING by attending one of these legendary concerts that only the outstanding men of the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus can do so unforgettably. Special thanks to director Greg McMahon for organizing these voices, performers, and songwriters for these past five decades of musical pleasure.

TRAVEL THE LONESOME HIGHWAY AT IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE WITH HANK WILLIAMS

A decade ago Morgan Morse accompanied his dad to an audition at the Ivoryton Playhouse and accidentally landed a part, launching his musical career. Now ten years later, Morgan Morse is back at Ivoryton starring in its newest offering “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” created by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik. His versatile musical range has served him well over the years, playing instruments, a gifted singer and actor and talented collaborator, now as the star of his own production. He calls Hank Williams “complicated….the embodying that…every night feels like the culmination of everything I’ve been working toward.”

To Morse, this is an ensemble piece, a collaborative production, a true team of players, some one who can leave his ego off the stage. To enter the world of this country music legend, mosey on over to the Ivoryton Playhouse by Sunday, April 27 and let Morgan Morse introduce you to the intricate career of his unique man, his struggles and triumphs, his pressures and successes. Williams’s legacy is examined, all the dark and the illuminated moments as he built a career and all it personally cost him.

This performance does not avoid the unhappy side, Hank’s mental health, substance abuse and the price of fame. It also celebrates his gifts and legacy. According to director Ben Hope who has played the role on many occasions, “Hank Williams’s life is a stark reminder of what happens when a person becomes a product. He was brilliant, sensitive, wildly talented - and crushed by the weight of being commodified. Hank lived in a time before Instagram, before TikTok, but he still experienced the pressure of branding himself, living up to public expectations and hiding his struggles.”

This hillbilly crooner is known for such tunes as “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” "Praise the Lord, I Saw the Light,” “Hey, Good Lookin’ ,” “Honky Tonk Blues,” “Love Sick Blues” and more, an American blending of gospel, folk, blues and honky-tonk. Helping tell his story on stage are Eric Scott Anthony, Stephen G. Anthony, Brien Brannigan, Rod Brogan, Oliva Fenton, David Finch, Ben Hope, Liv Kurtz, Marcy McGuigan, Tony Perry and Rick Snell.

For tickets ($60 adults, $55 seniors, $25 students and Thursday at 6 p.m. buy tickets for $30 if available), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Come witness this country music superstar path to induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite his battles with alcohol and loss and tragic choices.

FAMILY DYNAMICS SET TO MUSIC IN MTC'S ENGAGING "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES"

Who is a mother? The woman who gives birth to you and then abandons you, rarely to be seen again or the man who wipes your brow when you are ill with fever and is there every day faithfully by your side? For Jean-Michel, the question becomes critical when, at the age of 24 years, he announces his engagement to the delightful Anne. Her father is the head of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party," a conservative political party dedicated to the goal of closing all drag nightclubs. Since Jean-Michel's "parents," Georges the owner and master of ceremonies and Albin, the flamboyant transvestite star "Zaza," are intimately involved in that targeted enterprise, there are bound to be fireworks when the two prospective sets of in-laws meet for the first time.

Be prepared to jump aboard the merry-go-round that is "La Cage aux Folles," which literally means "the cage of mad women," parading across the stage of the Music Theater of Connecticut in Norwalk. This "gay" production enjoys a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. Come to Saint-Tropez for the grand and gaudy adventure, with enough glamour and glitz to light up a third world country weekends until Saturday, April 19.

When Jean-Michel (Zachery Anderson) comes home with his good news, he urges his father Georges (Scott Mikita) to tell his “mother” Albin (Frank Matrone) to absent himself from the family home. He also wants the apartment redecorated in a pious manner, even though it will still be pink, and asks their butler Jacob (Cedric Leiba Jr.), who considers himself the maid, to tone down his outrageous persona. Thankfully, Jacob doesn't really listen.

The accommodating Georges (the most agreeable Mikita) agrees to the plan while the dedicated Albin ( the wonderful Matrone) is understandably hurt by Jean-Michel's attitude, he reluctantly says he will appear as a macho "Uncle Al" to assuage his feelings. The arrival of sweet Anne (Brianna Bauch), her agreeable mother (Laura Austin) and her staid and starched father (Lou Ursone) set the stage for riotous rockets and colorful explosions worthy of a Fourth of July.

Timeless tunes like "I Am What I Am," "With Anne on My Arm," "The Best of Times," "Look Over There" and "La Cage aux Folles" ring out in splendor as do the numerous dance numbers choreographed by Chris McNiff, executed by the statuesque Les Cagelles, Sam Brackley, Cameron Edris, Daniel Pahl and Pablo Pernia who are dressed to the nines in feathers and fur, sequins and satin by Diane Vanderkroef. The talented cast is completed by Shaylen Harger, Shannon Hofheimer, and Jim Schilling. Kevin Connors, director, has outdone himself in this wildly tender musical of love, understanding and forgiveness.

For tickets ($55-65), call Music Theater of CT, 509 Westport Avenue in Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or online at www.musictheatreofct.com. Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m. , Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Due to cutbacks in the arts, MTC needs your financial support today more than ever. Please give generously to keep the arts vital.

Drape yourself in a feathery boa and get ready for some flamboyant fun as "La Cage aux Folles" tickles and tantalizes your fancy.

TRIBUTE TO "THEATRE PEOPLE" COURTESY OF WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE

If you are a lover of theater, it doesn’t matter if you are a playwright or director, a designer of scenery or costumes, in charge of music, props, lighting or sound all behind the curtain, or treading the boards acting in a comedy, tragedy, romance or farce in front of the curtains with a facial expression, a dance step, or a commanding voice or being a member of the audience enthusiastically supporting the cast with joy and encouragement, you are all incredibly theatre people necessary for a successful production to occur. From now until Saturday, April 12, Westport Country Playhouse is honoring your love of the craft by paying homage to Paul Slade Smith’s adaptation of Ferenc Molnar’s "Play at the Castle.” Smith’s “Theatre People” is a sterling tribute to all things dramatic and comical, showing off the best of the theatrical world.

Husband and wife writing team, Charlotte and Arthur Sanders, gloriously adept in the hands of Isabel Keating and Michael McCormick, are on the verge of either a grand success in their chosen profession or a terrible disaster that could literally bankrupt them. Having checked into a lavish bedroom in a Newport mansion, they are guarding their golden egg, Rodolfo Soto’s Oliver Adams, who is about to sign a lucrative contract for his first novel. Oliver has pledged his love to a beautiful angel, Mia Pinero’s singer Margot Bell whom he met a year ago at a party at the Sanders' home and has written his new book to, his heart’s desire, but she does not know.

Now Margot is ensconced in the bedroom next door, about to remeet Oliver after a year of not seeing him, but conducting a correspondence of love letters. He has idealized her as an angel, a pure and virtuous idol with no knowledge of sex, who, instead, is happily carrying on an affair with her stage partner Victor Pratt, an amorous Michael McCorry Rose.

How to protect Oliver’s sensibiities and preserve that Margot is as pure as the driven snow and has not “drifted.” Charlotte has to stretch her creative juices. Luckily she has the help of the housekeeper Olga, in the capable hands of Erin Noel Grennan, to deliver champagne, sandwiches, pancakes and laughter for a happy ending, Mark Shanahan directs this romantic love letter to thespians, on a glorious bedroom set designed by James J. Fenton, and lovely costumes by Annie J. Le.

For tickets ($50-75), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at www.westportplayhouse.org. Performances are Tuesday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. followed by a talkback.

Eavesdropping through walls and doors leads to a passionate ode to lips, lust and love that presents delightful complications in this 1948 era homage to the art of romantic storytelling.