CENTER STAGE THEATRE TAKES YOU UNDER THE SEA WITH SPONGEBOB

A unique musical adventure awaits you if you are daring enough to travel under the sea to the fictional town of Bikini Bottom and make the acquaintance of one character known as SpongeBob SquarePants, delightfully created with courage by Harry Rosenay. Do not be dismayed that he resembles a square kitchen sponge as that’s just part of his charm. He lives in a pineapple house, in a coral reef, with nearby best friends Patrick Star,(Jack Schafler), his neighbor Squidward Tentacles (Isaac Motes) and Sandy Cheeks (Taylor Tunstall).

Conceived and directed by Tina Landau, with book by Kyle Jarrow, orchestrations by Tom Kitt, choreography by Christopher Gattelli and songs by a number of composers, “SpongeBob SquarePants The Broadway Musical” will be making its spectacular stop at Shelton’s Center Stage Theatre by theYouth CONNection, with students from ages 14 to 23, until Sunday, August 2 and the whole family is invited.

Originally a highly successful animated series on Nickelodeon, it has now garnered 12 Tony Award nominations. Filled with sponges, squid, starfish, snails and sardines, it quickly plunges the residents of Bikini Bottom into panic mode. A nearby volcano at Mount Humongous will soon erupt and the town will be destroyed.

The evil doers in town, the married couple Sheldon Plankton (Ian Rosenay) and Karen the Computer (Anna Edwards) have a plan to talk the citizens into entering their escape pod, but it’s really a plot to hypnotize the unsuspected to like the chum they serve at their restaurant the Chum Bucket. Their rival restaurant the Krusty Krab would be devastated. A fundraising concert is planned to help the cause.

While being only a sponge, the inventive SpongeBob has a plan of his own to save the town, calling on his friendship with Patrick and Sandy to help. Difficulties ensue and the townspeople are soon conflicted about whom to believe and to follow. Loyalties are tested and disaster seems inevitable. Come discover for yourself if Bikini Bottom is doomed to disappear forever. A giant cast of enthusiastic kids keeps the high energy jumping all the way to the top of the menacing volcano. Kudos to co-director Rob Esposito working with co-director Katie Sedlock who also works overtime as choreographer and costumer.

For tickets ($22-42), call the Center Stage Theatre, 54 Grove Street, Shelton at 203-225-6079- or online at centerstageshelton.org or boxoffice@centerstageshelton.org. Performances are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Can a lowly simple sponge find the courage to save his home and his friends and prove his bravery? Grab a crab, an octopus or a snail and help to save the day, turning the tide from “No Control” to “Hero Is My Middle Name” to “Best Day Ever.”

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE SALUTES AGATHA CHRISTIE

Playing the game of Clue with Professor Plum in the dining room with a candlestick will in no way prepare you for a visit to the Westport Country Playhouse for the hundredth anniversary of Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.” Until Saturday, August 1, the story called her masterpiece will be filled with likely murder suspects, each hiding secrets and concealing motives. Since 1926, her crime novel has enjoyed being named in fifth place by the Crime Writers Association in Britain in a list of The Top Crime Novels of All Time, and has also been the first sound film in 1931, a radio play in 1939, an even longer radio play in 1987, a television play in 2000, and a graphic novel in Japan in 2018. Now sit back and thoroughly enjoy Artistic Director Mark Shanahan’s new adaptation of the original where you are challenged to find the killer. Evaluating clues and debating the possibilities is half the fun of the game.

The story’s narrator Dr. James Sheppard, a genial and helpful John Rapson, introduces the first victim, a Mrs. Ferrars, who committed suicide over her guilt at killing her abusive husband a year earlier. She is a rich widow in the English country village of King’s Abbot and engaged to marry Roger Ackroyd, Mark Silence, and this is all according to the milkman who shared all the gossip with Dr. Sheppard’s unmarried sister, a caring Erin Noel Grennan’s Caroline. Also quickly revealed is that someone has had knowledge of her crime and has been blackmailing her.

The good doctor is soon summoned to the mansion of his friend Roger Ackroyd, a wealthy widower and owner of a nearby estate. Roger urgently wants to speak to him, but before he can, Roger is found with an antique dagger in his neck. When the local constable arrive, Allen Gilmore’s Inspector Raglan, a number of suspects have gathered to exclaim over the latest crime. They include Major Blunt, Richard R. Henry, Roger's niece Flora, Shereen Ahmed, Flora’s fiancee Ralph Paton, Joe Delafield, Flora’s mother Gertrude, Karen Ziemba, Roger’s secretary Helen, Nicole Shalhoub, Roger’s maid Ursula, Katy Tang, and, of course, the Butler, Parker, Tom Hewitt. Summoned to help solve the crime is also the famed, newly retired Anthony Cochrane’s Hercule Poirot. There are no end of suspects fully capable of being both blackmailer and murderer, all with assorted motives and numerous secrets they each are in no hurry to reveal.

Splashes of humor lighten the interrogations that ensue, as an inquest is promised, other villagers are questioned as to their whereabouts, and some red herrings are scattered. At intermission, it is a lot of fun to speculate on who the responsible party might be or if there could be a pair of murderers at work. The audience is encouraged to use their “little grey cells” in determining who had opportunity and who had a need for money, a desire for lust, or a seeking for revenge. Mark Shanahan directs this involving drama on a stylishly designed set by Charlie Corcoran.

For tickets ($60-90), call the Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at westportplayhouse.org. Performances are Tuesday at 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.

Come test your detective skills on what Mark Shanahan calls his adaptation, “a labor of love,” one that stays mostly faithful to the original and be sure not to give away the name of the perpetrator when you laud his literary efforts.

MAGICAL MUSICAL "MATILDA" COMES TO NEW CANAAN THANKS TO STONC

The Summer Theatre of New Canaan has a special treat for children of all ages that is filled with music and mystery, magic and meanies, that will keep you on the edge of your seat at the air conditioned New Canaan High School on 11 Farm Road until Sunday, July 26 in New Canaan.

Imagine how Harry Potter must have felt being brought up by family members who were muggles and not understanding or compatible with his magical tendencies. Now think of a clever little girl, known for her creative and brilliant ways, who is being raised by less than intelligent caregivers. Her dad is a car salesman with all the attendant challenges in the honesty department while her mother is an amateur ballroom dancer who wants to be valued for her looks and dancing skills rather than her mind.

Come meet Matilda, a precocious and precious Charlotte Surak and the enterprising star of “Matilda the Musical,” created from a story by Roald Dahl and being brought to prominent life by Tim Minchin, music and lyrics, book by Dennis Kelly, and additional lyrics by Chris Nightingale, three weeks only.

At the age of five, Matilda has her hands full at home dealing with her parents, Harry and Zinnia Wormwood, (Christopher Hudson Myers and Rachel MacIsaac Myers), who are less than encouraging. They feel that their daughter is “batty” and do little to feed her intellect. At school, at Crunchem Hall, Matilda continues to fight the establishment as Agatha Trunchbull (Meghan Louise Taylor) is the headmistress from H-E- Double Hockey Sticks and gives tyrants and bullies a bad name.

Fortunately, Matilda finds allies who appreciate her in her meek but supportive kindergarten teacher, Miss Honey, (Mary McNulty) and Mrs. Phelps, (Keisha T. Fraser) the helpful librarian, who provides reading challenges and loves Matilda’s incredible stories. Here is a little girl who cut her imagination on Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling and is enamored by Will Shakespeare.

To help herself get along, Matilda is not adverse to using a little trickery to get the results she desires, like waking up her parents to their neglect of her needs. She also imagines an elaborate story of two famed acrobatics (Hannah Risner and Miguel-Andres Garcia) who can’t have children and the tragedy they experience. Matilda mischievously puts glue on her father’s hat so it won’t come off, gets blamed for eating a chocolate cake desired by the headmistress even though it was devoured by a fellow student Bruce (Jack Ranieri) and helps all the revolting students like Lavender (Valentina Miller) when a bug appears mysteriously in Miss Trunchbull’s water glass.

Her greatest triumph, however, is her defeat of the headmistress, who dismisses her students as “shriveled losers.” Come see how Matilda puts her properly in her place, because even the nicest child sometimes has to be “a little bit naughty.” Songs like “When I Grow Up,” “Naughty” and “Revolting Children” underscore Matilda’s path to happiness.

For tickets ($29-$94), call Simmer theatre of New Canaan at 203-966-4634 or online at stoncl.org. Performances are Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Allegra Libonati directs this exciting tale with skill and sensitivity.

Take a seat at your school desk with your plaid book bag, make some paper airplanes and spitballs and prepare to learn some important lessons about life, taught by a special child with telekinetic powers and her slightly revolting but enthusiastic friends.

HOLD ON FOR "THE WILD PARTY" AT PLAYHOUSE ON PARK

The Jazz Age is alive and well,if by well you mean atuffed with debauchery and exhaustive energy. It’s out of control, challenging, ablaze with madness and on fire with action. When you hear the words party and orgy, you don’t automatically think the two are synonymous, but tempers can explode and secrets can escape and emotions can be bombshells ready to accidentally ignite the night. West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park is sending out invitations to an event you won’t soon forget. Until Sunday, August 16, you are invited to “The Wild Party” with book, music. and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March and unforgettable is a mild reaction for what you will experience.

The vaudeville performers Queenie, a sleek Mollie Downes, and Burrs,a searching and unsatisfied Trevor Bunce, crave a little excitement in their relationship and decide throwing a party is a wonderful idea to inject excitement into what has become routine and stale. This anything goes event opens the door to more danger then they ever could have anticipated as their Manhattan apartment is filled with provocative people determined to let their inhibitions evaporate and have a wonderful wild time. The glamour of the Jazz Age exudes magical music and offers temptations that are quickly grabbed with naked abandonment. Queenie and Burrs are totally unprepared for what happens but that doesn’t stop them from freely participating in the sexual excitement.

You are invited, with an element of caution, to join in with the free for all party goers, Cory Simmons, Maddi Bowman, Kathleen Cameron, Caleb Barton, Lily Bucko, Elijah Martinez, Gavin Leahy, Julia Solecki, Joseph Rafael Davila, Kenneth Galm, Sophia Cantin and Kate Glennon, as they spiral in sordid and sensual ways, coupling in dozens of decadent pairings. Booze and drugs fuel the encounters as tempers escalate and threaten to raise the roof. All are seeking pleasure and an end to loneliness by whatever means necessary, no matter what the ultimate cost. Sean Harris directs this voyeuristic voyage, with challenging choreography by Darlene Zoller and stark musical direction by Colin Britt.

For tickets ($44-55), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900. ext. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. Performances are Tuesday to Sunday with a talkback after the Sunday, 2 p.m. matinee.

All the guests are seeking change and drama, love and an end to being alone, but will this wild party provide them the answers they crave?

SKIP DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD WITH DOROTHY AT THE LEGACY THEATRE IN BRANFORD

One of the most beloved classics of musical theater history is lighting up the Legacy Theater in Branford until Sunday, August 9th. The Yellow Brick Road is beckoning you to skip along with Dorothy and Toto as they adventure to the land of Oz to meet the Wizard.

If you’re looking somewhere over the rainbow for blue birds, you know you’re not in Kansas anymore but rather on a unique and special journey to see that wonderful Wizard of Oz. Put Toto in his basket, fasten your ruby slippers, grab the hands of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tinman and prepare to travel to that magical land, in the Emerald City, where the famous and powerful Oz resides.

L. Frank Baum penned the original book in 1900 and in 1939 MGM transformed it into a marvelous motion picture that has been viewed by billions. This mysterious magical show was written by Harlen Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, with background music by Herbert Stothart. Stuffed with Munchkins, good and wicked witches, flying monkeys, a tornado, a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin man with no heart and a Lion with no courage, “The Wizard of Oz” follows the journey of Dorothy and her little dog Toto as they travel to the Emerald City in search of the great and mystical Oz. The magical movie is now celebrating over 80 years as a family classic. Called the “first totally American fantasy for children,” it will be sailing in a hot air balloon into the Legacy Theatre in Branford for a fabulous family experience courtesy of its wonderful cast.

Annika Jonker is precious and precocious as the adventurous Dorothy who puts her darling dog Toto (a debut role for Gus) into a basket and survives a tornado to land in a strange land called Oz. In the midst of the storm, the Wicked Witch is killed by Dorothy’s house and Glinda the Good Witch (Sarah Anne Hughes) awards Dorothy the prized ruby slippers. The Munchkins come to celebrate and before you can sing “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” three times, Dorothy and Toto are skipping down the Yellow Brick Road to Oz, and meeting Charles Romano's Scarecrow who desperately wants a brain, Garrett Van Allen’s Tinman who is aching for a heart and Jimmy Donohue’s Lion who is petitioning bravely for courage. Also complicating their mission is Olivia Fenton in Kansas as the meanie Miss Gultch and the even meaner spirited Wicked Witch who can do without both Dorothy and her pup.

Their journey is fraught with dangers, obstacles in their path like poppies, snowmen, Witch’s Winkies and Jitterbugs. Helping the little girl who only wants to get home to Kansas are her Uncle Henry (Rick Fountain), Professor Marvel (Rod Brogan), and Glinda the Good Witch who is always on Dorothy’s side.

Other active cast members are Lucas Dylan, Sophia Coppola, Nicholas Futris, Fletcher Hooten, Sophia Nardone, Madeline Olexy, Jenna L, Ptachcinski, and Ron St. John III who sing and dance with joy. Kudos go to Eric Santagata for his choreography as well as Hannah Ryan who bravely served as director, Jimmy Johansmeyer for his colorful costuming, Ryan Howell for his versatile set, and David Marottollo for sparkling music direction.

For tickets ($41.50-66.50), call Legacy Theatre, Stony Creek, Branford at 203-315-1901 or online at LegacyTheatreCT.org . Performances are Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.,. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Treat the children or grandchildren and yourself to one of the most enduring, charming and a little scary musicals of all time adapted by The Royal Shakespeare Company for your total enjoyment.

TIMELY PATRIOTIC MUSICAL "1776" SALUTES AMERICA AT IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE

Were it not for the patriotic fervor of John Adams, would we be a free and independent country today? To determine the answer to that historical question, seek the good counsel and wisdom found in Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards’ stirring musical “1776” being performed splendidly by the Ivoryton Playhouse until Sunday, July 26. Start waving your red, white and blue flags as you enter.

In the hot summer of that year in Philadelphia, representatives of each of the thirteen colonies are meeting at the Second Continental Congress to decide the fate of a fledgling nation. Should it surrender to the dictates of King George of England, the greatest protector on earth, or should it break free and declare its independence, even if that means war?

Heading the opposition, those who want to stay under England’s protective wing, is Pennsylvania’s John Dickinson, played with arrogant opinionated flair by Josh Powell. How to convince this handful of leaders to pit a tiny nation of two million against a mighty power five times its size is accomplished with the penning of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. Women in the guise of Adam's wife Abigail (Kelly McCormick) and Jefferson's spouse Martha (Emelie Latzer) add their good counsel to their husband’s cause.

Kenn McLaughlin directs this stirring and spirited footprint in our nation’s past with passion, on Scarlet Jacobs' sturdy congressional set, with a parade of colorful period costumes by Heidi Hanson and choreography by Robert Mintz. The music directed by Amy Jones adds a rainbow of sparks to the story, making for an evening of dramatic fever and comedic tension, all beautifully balanced and executed. Songs like “For God’s Sake, John, Sit Down,” “The Lees of Old Virginia,” “Cool, Cool Considerate Men,” and “ Molasses to Rum,” keep the spirit moving forward. Kudos to the entire cast that also includes John C. Baker, Michael Barra, Tommy Betz, Cory Candelet, Michael Cartwright, Ben Clouse, Sawyer Coffin, Christopher Conte, Galen Donovan, Joshua Steele Kelly, Kenneth Linsley, Kenneth Robert Marlo, Dino Nicandros, William Pazdziora, Elio Perez, Jason Pintar, Alex Stone, RebeccaTobin, Allan Zeller, Adelina Peretti and Nathan Szymanski.

For tickets ($65, seniors $60, students $25, with discount tickets available Thursday night if unsold) call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at (860) 767-7318 or online at info@ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m., Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. , with matinees Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Many performances are already sold out.

Convince the “cream of the colonies” to vote yea to a rebellion to become the first to break free from a parent in the history of the world. March back in history with these patriotic souls who risked everything to write the Declaration of Independence to inform the world that England was our enemy that needed to be defeated. Controversial issues like slavery that the South wanted to preserve almost defeated the resolution. Luckily saner heads prevailed and democracy was preserved.

HAPPILY TAP YOUR WAY TO "CRAZY FOR YOU" AT GOODSPEED

If some of your idols are legendary tap dancing stars like Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and Sammy Davis Jr., have I got a spectacular show for you. Versatile foot steppers like Gene Kelly and Ginger Rogers were sensational on the dance floor during Hollywood’s GoldenAge and the joy they brought to the stage is enjoying a glorious rebirth at Goodspeed Musicals with its current highly energetic and exciting “Crazy For You” already extended until August 16 for ten more dazzling days.

Stuffed with the super duper songs penned by George and Ira Gershwin with a new book adapted by Ken Ludwig, “Crazy for You” moves from Broadway and the Big Apple way out west to Deadrock, Nevada. A dance happy banker Bobby Child is desperately eager to leave his monetary job in New York City and the job his mother (Michele Ragusa) and his fiancee (Hailey Thomas) want him to embrace. Bobby tries to impress the impresario of show business Bela Zangler (Edward Juvier) of his talents to no avail and soon finds himself on a mother-driven mission to the Gaiety Theater in Nevada to close its doors forever.

When the star struck Bobby, a facile footed Will Burton, sets eyes on Polly Baker, the lovely and spunky Brittany Zeinstra, whose father Jeremy Davis is the theater’s owner Everett Baker, he has two new goals: to save the Gaiety and win the girl. The obstinate saloon owner Lank (David Andrew Morton) and Bela Zangler himself have other ideas for the fate of the town and it takes a lot of wild and wonderful foot power and sensational songs like “Shall We Dance?,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Slap That Bass,” “Embraceable You,“ “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Nice Work If You Can Get it,” and “Bidin’ My Time,” plus more.

Helping solve everybody’s problems are a pair of tourists from England Eugene and Patricia Fodor (Colin Bradbury and Michele Ragusa) and a New York showgirl Tess (Taylor Lane) who knows how to manipulate Bela to her way of thinking. A really cute number occurs when Bobby and Bela mirror each other as if two Bela Zanglers are definitely better than one. Michael Fling directs this charming romp in the 1930’s old west with fervor and style, on a clever set designed by Ann Beyersdorfer, colorful costuming by Joseph Shrope, sparkling music by Adam Souza and patriotic fireworks choreographed by Kelli Barclay.

For tickets ($47-123), call the Goodspeed, 6 Main Street, East Haddam at 860-873-8668 or online at goodspeed.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.,Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.and 6:30 p.m. This 1992 Tony Award winning musical comedy has been extended until Sunday, August 16.

Showgirls in sequins and spangles take on cowpokes and their pistols and down home practicality as a stage starved banker risks everything to save an abandoned theater and win the glamorous girl of his dreams at the same time.

THE AMAZING AMERICAN MURAL PROJECT

A RIDDLE: What is the only collaborative and largest indoor artwork in the whole world? Existng in Winstead, Connecticut? Is the creative brain child of one person? Was built by 15,000 children from 17 states? Measures 5 stories high and 120 feet wide? Was only started in 2003? Is made of blown glass, aluminum panels and ceramic tiles? Is a grand tribute to all the workers who make America great?

If you answered the American Mural Project (AMP) you would be 100% correct! Photographer and painter Ellen Griesedieck was at the Boeing Airplane Factory in 1999 witnessing how engines were installed in 747’s and conceived the idea of painting in large scale working Americans for inspiration, especially for chidren to help them embrace their work. She saw a visual history as a tribute to all kinds of American workers over the past 100 years, to tell their stories and applaud their courage and work ethic. She feels the possibilities are endless: to look at the country and the guys and gals that get it done. Founded in 2001, AMP portraits “the dignity of the American worker with the goal of being an initiative for kids.” To date, 23 more states have also become involved.

With deep personal creativity, Ellen takes individual stories about the people she has met on her journey of discovery, like Eddie the truck driver who for three days shared his community with her as a social master, in a cocky and fun way, or Melissa who didn’t know women could be firefighters until she became one herself, or fishermen like Jeff and Pete who risk their lives on a daily basis fighting a dangerous ocean or Scott who knew at the tender age of three he wanted to be a farmer. Each story is unique and different about a real person Ellen knows, from auto workers making Mustangs to men who endanger their lives every day in a copper mine, truck drivers who keep the economy going to teachers who inspire our children. Together they accomplish something they couldn’t achieve alone and answer the question "How am I important?” They reflect in their giant size the significance of their hard work and why each one matters. To Ellen, the message is “Dream big.”

The emphasis is on what each of us contributes and AMP offers activities Friday, Saturday and Sunday to make opportunities happen, like Family Days, storytellers, scavenger hunts, games, teen vocational camps, outdoor work designing, welding sculptures, lectures on the upcoming 250th Birthday of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, jazz concerts and musical events like a piano concert the fourth Friday of every month. This is a learning experience that Ellen gives as a gift to the community, a celebration of the artists who built our country and as a tribute to the dignity of their hard work, like the creation of the Empire State Building, the George Washington Bridge and the Statue of Liberty as well as homes for Habitat for Humanity.

Another fascinating project started by the Sharon Women’s Club was the donation of 13,000 watches, as symbols of the many hours people give for volunteering without pay to help someone else. Women’s clubs across the country have joined in and now 28 yards of aluminum wire mesh have glued them together. For more information, call AMP at 90 Whiting Street, Winsted at 860-379-3006, the hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets for adults are $15, seniors and veterans $12 and students $5, under 5 free. Every month a group of workers enjoys free admission, for example first responders in July and teachers in August. Self guided tours are available. Groups of 10 can engage a tour guide. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase as are hand painted t-shirts by Ellen, postcards and stickers.

Remember the American Mural Project is a one of a kind, the largest tribute to workers in the world, located in Winsted, Connecticut, the creative brainchild of Ellen Griesedieck, built in 17 original states by 15,000 children, a stunning gigantic artwork that celebrates the people who made our country so great. Come experience its incredible and majestic gifts.

CT Critics Give “All is Calm” and “A Chorus Line” Top Honors at 34th Awards Ceremony

The compelling drama, “All is Calm,” a moving, captivating play about the Christmas Truce of 1914, which was staged at Playhouse on Park, and the 50th Anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical, “A Chorus Line” at Goodspeed Musicals, took top honors at the 34th annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards (ctcritics.org) held on Monday, June 22, 2026.

The event, which celebrates the work from the state’s professional theaters during the 2025 – 2026 season, was held at Hartford Stage in downtown Hartford. The ceremony was emceed by Stuart Brown, President of the CT Critics Circle.

“A Chorus Line” was also honored for Best Director of a Musical (Rob Ruggiero), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Diego Guevara), and Best Choreography (Parker Esse and Baayork Lee). Ryan Mac from the Goodspeed Musical “All Shook Up” received Best Actor in a Musical.

Hartford Stage received three awards. The chilling, highly theatrical production of “Rope” was recognized for Costume Design (Risa Ando), and Best Direction of a Play (Melia Bensussen). Their gripping staging of “Death of a Salesman” won for Outstanding Lighting Design.

Theaterwork Hartford’s world premiere of “Circus Fire,” staged in the round at the historic First Company Governor’s Foot Guard, won for Best Ensemble.

Two productions from A.C.T. of CT garnered three awards. The musical “Waitress” received Best Featured Actress (Shaylen Harger) and Best Actress in a Musical (Abigail Sparrow). Camilla Tassi was honored for Outstanding Projections for “Dear Evan Hansen.”

The Yale Repertory Theatre’s production of the 1959 absurdist classic, “Rhinoceros” by Eugène Ionesco, won for Best Actor in a Play (Reg Rogers) and Best Sound Design for Xi (Zoey) Lin.

Other winners were Christina Acosta Robinson for Best Actress in a Play for the Ivoryton Playhouse’s production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill;” Missy Drowse in the Ken Ludwig comedy, “Fox on the Fairway” at Music Theatre of Connecticut, for Best Featured Actress in a Play; Terrence Riggins received the Best Featured Actor in a Play for his powerful performance in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean” at Long Wharf Theatre; and Christopher & Justin Swader received Outstanding Set Design for the Sharon Playhouse production of “The Mousetrap.”

James Bundy, who is retiring as the Elizabeth Parker Ware Dean of the David Geffen School of Drama and Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre received a special award. Rebecka Jones and Noble Shropshire were also recognized for their 25 years of continuous performance in the Hartford Stage production of “A Christmas Carol.” Donna Lynn Hilton of Goodspeed Musicals was honored with the Tom Killen Award for lifetime service to the theater.

The Annual Awards Ceremony was live streamed. The recording will be posted to the CT Critics Circle website (ctcritics.org) the week of June 29.

Helping to present the awards were Connecticut Critic Circle members Karen Isaacs, Nancy Sasso Janis, and Tim Leininger.

The Connecticut Critics Circle was founded in 1990. The statewide organization is comprised of reviewers, writers, and broadcasters that cover the professional theaters throughout the entire state. The annual awards honor the actors, directors, designers and others who help make our professional theater so highly regarded in and outside the state.

HARTFORD STAGE SETS "SWEENEY TODD" ON A VICIOUS PATH OF REVENGE

Are you squeamish at the sight of blood? Do you believe in the old adage “an eye for an eye”? Do you subscribe to turning the other cheek and forgiving when victimized or do you prefer exacting retribution?

Are you a fan of turkey or beef pot pies, with their flaky crusts and yummy insides, the ones that warm your tummy on cold winter nights? Might you fancy one in the immediate future? Well, the Hartford Stage in collaboration with TheaterWorks Hartford has a savory saga, a cautionary note for your perusal that you might want to heed. Until Sunday, July 5, a man bent on vengeance is wielding a razor in London for his personal amusement in “Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” with book by Hugh Wheeler and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim from an adaptation by Christo[her Bond with orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick and it is sharp, memorable, and on target wonderful.

You might ask where do the meat pot pies fit into the story? The answer is that Sweeney Todd has returned from years in an Australian prison where he was sent, unjustly, by an unscrupulous Judge Turpin and his untrusty aide the Beadle Bamford. The Judge fancied Sweeney’s wife and “stole” her and her infant daughter for his own disreputable desires and sent Sweeney away for life.

When Sweeney escapes, he is rescued at sea by a good Samaritan, Anthony Hope. Now Sweeney needs to set his plan of vengeance in motion and he finds a willing Mrs Lovett who aids him in his momentous task.

Mrs. Lovett’s pie business was once a flaky failure until she teams up with a certain mad barber in London’s Fleet Street to create a sensational savory of unusual and peculiar flavor. You’ll figure out the pies' distinctive secret ingredient if you are paying attention.

This is a musical adventure as the barber becomes a barbarian in this passionate tale of revenge. Matt Faucher is driven and superb as Sweeney Todd, the alias he assumes who blames Judge Turpin (Edward Watts) and his liege The Beadle (Brian Ray Norris) for the treachery which led his wife to kill herself and the Judge to claim their infant daughter Johanna (Lauren Maria Medina) as his ward.

Now Todd, played with a steely determination and macabre manner, has returned to the scene of the crime to right the wrongs his family has suffered. With the aid of the lusty Mrs. Lovett, played delightfully by Jackie Burns, and a naval man Anthony (Willem Butler) who saved Sweeney’s life,Todd soon sets his diabolical scheme in place. Complications in the form of an old beggar woman (Carey Brown), a blackmailer Pirelli (Tristan Caldwell) and a wide eyed lad Tobias (Cole Thompson) threaten his plans. Rob Ruggiero directs this involving dark tale plagued with the “chill of ghostly shadows.” The orchestra is conducted by Wiley DeWeese, Ralph Perkins choreographer, Luke Cantarella an elaborate set design, magical lighting by John Lasiter, sound by Beth Lake and period costumes designed by Fabian Fidel Aguilar.

For tickets ($30 and up) call the Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street,Hartford at 860-527-5151 or online at HartfordStage.org. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. with talk backs June 23 and June 24. Music in the lobby by Mad Agnes will be held June 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. This is the first partnership by Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford and it is a tribute to thrilling theatrical entertainment. Don’t miss it!

Return to nineteenth century London, if you dare, but be careful to have witnesses if you go to a local barbershop for a trim or a neighborhood pub for a succulent beef pot pie.

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE INVITES YOU TO "GET HAPPY" WITH JUDY GARLAND

Francis Ethel Gumm, better known as Judy Garland, is ready to take you on a musical journey over the rainbow, Well, not exactly Francis or Judy but a lovely talented singer and performer Jenna Pastuszek as who has her own fascination with this incredible American actress, singer and vauf=devillian who began her career at the age of two, performing with her two older sisters as The Gumm Sisters.

Called “Baby” by her family, her first stage performance was at Christmas time singing “Jingle Bells” at her father’s movie theater. George Jessel is said to heve selected the name Judy Garland for her, stating “I think she’s a combination of Helen Hayes and Al Jolson and maybe Jenny Lind and Sarah Bernhardt.”

The Westport Country Playhouse is flying flocks of blue birds over beautiful rainbows for a charming visit with Jenna Pastuszekas who shares her love of Judy Garland in the amazingly persona] “Get Happy!,” on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.. With a focus on her musical talents exhibited in such movie hits as “The Wizard of Os,” “Easter Parade,” “Judy Live at Carnegie Hall,” “Judy at the Palace,” and “The Judy Garland Show,” Jenna will share “witty, endearingly personal stories and a musical gems stuffed playlist.”

At only 4 feet 11 inches, Garland suffered from poor self esteem. Her school mates on the MGM studio lot were Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner and Lana Turner. She was called “ugly duckling” and MGM’s head Louis B. Mayer called her "his little hunchback.” Her whole career she doubted she was either attractive or talented. At sixteen she was cast as Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” became her favorite signature song.

Judy Garland became Jenna Pastuszek’s first musical tribute quite by accident. In June 2019 a theater company in Cape May, New Jesdey called her out of the blue about a gala they were planning and told her she was “just the gal to do it.”Despite the pandemic intruding on its debut, she found the challenge of writing a tribute show to Judy “really wonderful and fun” with the audience getting to know Jenna through Judy. As a history major at the University of Virginia, Jenna knew how to do research in library source material. Now she tells her story in-between fun facts, revealing how their two lives intertwine. In a big band way she takes Judy’s version of “Singin’ in the Rain” and gives it a unique new spin.

To date she has taken her show to 50 venues in 13 states, from Nantucket to Florida, Wisconsin to San Diego. This universal piece has clearly changed her life and she is so grateful as it provides joy. When she was at the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey she as asked if she had another show and the name Barbra Streisand jumped out of her mouth, even though it was only a thought and definitely not a reality. Now it is. Jenna does a wonderful show about Barbara’s birthday, one she showcased last year at Westport Country Playhouse. Who might be next? Think Bette, Cher, Liza or even a joint show of Judy and Barbra, as the two divas share a ton of songs, like believe it or not, “Purple People Eater.”

Jenna will perform with a full jazz trio, led by Joshua Zecher-Ross. For tickets ($40-50), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org.

Come learn about Judy and Jenna, how their lives meet and cross, stories and songs that will make you laugh and be quite amazed, and how they both entertain with such joy and enthusiasm. Come over the rainbow with their wings of charm.

"THE MUSIC MAN" SMARTLY STRUTS INTO PALACE THEATER FOR THREE SHOWS

CLASSIC FARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY COMES TO TOWN!

Seven decades ago Meredith Willson took a story he created with Franklin Lacey and added book, music and lyrics to develop a delightfully devious con man Harold Hill who dupped his victims into believing their town’s fate could only be saved if he, “Professor” Hill, could organize a boys’ band. Thus the sparkling spectacle Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” was born and now the Palace Theater in Waterbury is bringing its triumphant seventy-six trombones to your doorstep Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 2, 3, and 4 at 7:30 p.m.

The musical is set in River City, Iowa and is based on Wilson’s hometown of Mason City, Iowa and he modeled many of the characters on people he knew there. Wilson wrote more than thirty drafts and forty songs for the show, originally naming it "The Silver Triangle.” “The Music Man” opened on Broadway in 1957 and for seventy years has been a family-friendly favorite musical comedy. Much of the show’s musical score was considered groundbreaking at that time, equally rich and witty and heartfelt.

The most covered song is “Till There Was You.” In 1963 the Beatles sang it for Queen Elizabeth II and the next year performed it on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Traveling salesmen who went from town to town by train pedaling their wares were not admiring of a man who conned money from innocent folk who believed his lies and schemes, giving him payment for musical instruments, instruction books and uniforms Hill had no intention of delivering. Smooth and fast talking Harold Hill arrives in River City, Iowa ready to once again fleece his “prey,” but some highly unusual events occur.

An old friend and schemer Marcellus Washburn claims to now be reformed and warns his pal to beware of the town librarian Marian Paroo, who is the only one who knows enough about music to stop him. Marian also has a young brother Winthrop who has a lisp and rarely talks, and a caring mother who only wants her children to be happy.

“The Music Man” is stuffed with great songs like “Ya Got Trouble” when Hill warns Mayor Shinn about the destructive influence of pool halls and billiard parlors, “Seventy-Six Trombones” that promises redemption for all the wayward youth, a barbershop quartet that sings at every drop of a straw hat, the grand arrival of “The Wells Fargo Wagon” (an early version of Amazon), the delightful dance “Shipoopi,” and the lyrical love song “Till There Was You” and many more.

Comic complications arise as the Mayor demands Hill’s credentials, his wife Eulalie Shinn gets seduced into leading a ladies dance troupe, the local hoodlum Tommy is persuaded to woo the Mayor’s daughter Zaneeta, and Marian’s piano student Amaryllis confesses her affection for the seldom speaking Winthrop.

What a joy! What a delight! What a great family classic! A wonderful cast of dozens and dozens bring this fun musical to spectacular life. For tickets ($49-89), call Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-346-2000 or online at tickets@palacetheaterct.org.

Will Harold Hill be unmasked for the shyster he is? Come discover if anyone deserves to be tarred and feathered. Learn that today definitely is a day worth remembering. Come see for yourself how and why it won six Tony Awards!

"WATER FOR ELEPHANTS" PARADES INTO THE BUSHNELL JUNE 2-7

Have you ever dreamed of running away to the circus to join the daring performers who bring this unique art form to kaleidoscopic and colorful life. Just ask Jacob Jankowski, a young man who seems to have lost everything that matters to him and takes a giant leap of faith by jumping aboard a moving train to capture a new and unknown life. What he discovers is a totally different life when he joins a traveling circus and grabs love and adventure in giant proportions. This wild ride offers him more than he could ever have imagined. Now older and wiser, he reflects on his choices and what he has gained and lost on his journey.

Based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel that has been transformed into an astonishing Tony-nominated musical with book by Rick Elice and with a soaring folk-pop score by the Indie folk band PigPen Theatre Company that combines 1930’s jazz, bluegrass and folk, puppets the size of elephants and outstanding circus acrobatic skills. The Great Depression is the setting for Jacob’s grand adventure. After a severe family tragedy, he uses his veterinary talents to get a job caring for a menagerie of animals like a lion named Rex and a stallion named Star. He gives his heart to the star equestrian Marlena who is enduring a frightening marriage to the abusive ringmaster August. When a new elephant named Rosie joins the troupe of this struggling enterprise all their lives are changed forever. Zachary Keller as Jacob, Helen Krushinski as Marlena and Connor Sullivan as August take you on an unforgettable adventure in their amazing world in this their North American tour.

“Water for Elephants” is a glorious musical parading into the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts this week from Tuesday, June 2 to Sunday, June 7 that promises thrills, razzle dazzle and excitement. It’s the grandeur and adventure of the circus come to glorious vision right before your eyes in three gigantic rings.

For tickets ($43.50-150.50), call the Bushnell. 166 Capitol Avenue. Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at bushnell.org. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The Big Top awaits your attendance. Bring your own peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks.

LESSONS IN FAMILY LIFE ABOUND IN KATE KATCHER'S ABSORBING DEBUT NOVEL "36"

In the first chapter of her new absorbing debut novel “36,” Kate Katcher introduces the reader to Shellie, her family, her neighborhood, and the problem that has reluctantly brought her home to Brooklyn. Her unusual relationship with her controlling mother Maxine, complicated and intense, pulsates with emotion and challenges. Shellie is afraid to hear her mother’s reaction to her news and rightly so.

It is from her Bubby, the grandmother of the Weiss family that we learn the origin of the book’s title: the 36 people, the Lamed Vav, the Jewish people who in times of crisis can be consulted for aid or simply for conversation. Bubby sincerely believes her husband Sheppie was one of the blessed 36. It was his job not to offer advice but to “justify the existence of mankind in the eyes of God.” These 36 suffer in silence for the rest of the world. Bubby also believes her daughter Maxine is continuing her husband’s responsibilities to be the heart of the world and absorb its misery.

Bubby’s husband as a boy fled his war torn homeland and was eventually smuggled to America and used his artistry as a baker to make a living. He died before Shellie’s younger sister Shira who was named for him was born. Shira is intellectually challenged but has an immense capacity for caring and empathy. This family struggles to handle the joys and troubles that come to their door, all the ups and downs that ultimately bring them closer together, all while questioning their resilience and faith.

Kate Katcher creates a family you will want to embrace and, perhaps, make your own. Jewish customs are woven into the intimate tapestry of the Weiss household as they determine who will be the next Lamed Vav to save the world. Let her welcome you into her intimate realm as if you are one of the many who call Maxine on the telephone to help them cope with a troubling question in their lives. Enjoy the sensitive and sassy, heartfelt and humorous journey with the interesting Weiss family created by the wonderfully colorful and imaginative mind of Kate Katcher.

PLAYHOUSE ON PARK TAKES YOU ON A YEAR OF ADVENTURES WITH FROG AND TOAD

Generations of children and their parents and grandparents have been delighted over the years with the charming tales of a kind and friendly Frog and his grumpy and easily scared friend Toad who revel in wonderful adventures. Now these books have been faithfully translated to the stage for a new experience with live actors and exciting experiences in the forest, on a pond, down a slope, by a fire, or over cookies. You’re invited to take a child’s hand and hop on over to Playhouse on Park in West Hartford until Saturday, June 6 for a surprising encounter with “A Year with Frog and Toad.” What a lovely and fun way to introduce little ones and remind their elders of all the joy these stories that have been written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel serve as fond reminders of favorite fables.

These beloved books have now been transformed into a charming musical for Broadway and beyond with book and lyrics by Willie Reale, music by Robert Reale and direction by Kevin Cronin. Musical direction is by Robert James Tomasulo, choreography by Travis Kendrick-Castanho, set design by Dhruv Patel, costumes by KT Farmer, lighting by Alice Jackins, sound by Joshua Hamre, props by Kyla Madore and production staging by Rebecca Donaghy.

This Theatre for Young Audiences is ready to take you through the seasons of the year starting with waking from winter hibernation to welcome Spring by planting a garden. A trio of birds chirp in their adorable men’s tie costumes, Mia Sirinsky, Yumeko Stern and Jimmy Donohue, to wake up their reluctant amphibians that winter is over. The three will change a gazillion outfits to play assorted turtles, squirrels, moles, mice, snail, lizards and frogs to our delight. Meanwhile Ryan Henzi’s Frog and Garrison Hunt’s Toad find themselves in interesting situations as one leaps up to clean his house and the other makes up excuses to sleep another month.

When he does reluctantly arise, Toad complains that he never gets any mail. Remember that, as it is an important storyline and the postman is a very dedicated but oh so slow Snail. A dancing turtle sings happily about how funny Toad looks in his bathing suit. Toad ruminates on how hard it is to tell if his cookies are ready to eat since his clock is broken. Both friends try to surprise the other when Fall comes. Can you guess? It involves a rake.

Suddenly it’s a dark and stormy night and Toad is afraid Frog is lost in the woods. Never fear. Frog is fine and it is winter again and the two best friends are together for Christmas Eve. They have learned that neither can be happy unless the other one is too.

For tickets ($25 with $3.50 service fee, seniors and students $2.50 discount), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900 ex. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. Performances are Saturdays May 30 and June 6 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Also show Wednesday, June 3 at 3 p.m. The play is perfect for Pre-K to Grade 5. The production is supported by The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, Greater Hartford Regional School Choice Office and Miracle League of Connecticut. Check out the series of Summer Sessions for Children at the Playhouse starting soon for little budding thespians.

Come enjoy the vaudeville flavored humor as Frog and Toad highlight the joy of going through life with friends by their side.

A.C.T. OF CONNECTICUT SENDING "DEAR EVAN HANSEN" LETTERS UNTIL JUNE 21

Lies may be deliberate or accidental or only little white ones, but they inevitably catch the teller to his regret. In the long run they cause trouble. What could you do if you inadvertently cast yourself in a high school tragedy? When you don’t confess it is all a lie, what can you do to correct your immense error and make the situation right? Just ask Evan Hansen whose doctor advised him to write himself letters, “Dear Evan Hansen,” to help him encourage himself and build his self-esteem and allow him to open up to his classmates.

Evan Hansen is a troubled, unhappy teenager who feels invisible and he desperately wants to be accepted, one of the gang. When another student at his high school commits suicide, Evan is swept into a web of lies not of his own making. These untruths have the power to change his life and give him all the acceptance he so desires. Will he use this unexpected and unanticipated chance or will he admit the truth of his fabrications?

Songs like “So Big/So Small.” “Requiem” and “Sincerely Me” propel the action. One misplaced letter assumes a powerful catalyst in Evan’s life, one he quickly loses control over. Deeply emotional, “Dear Evan Hansen” by Steven Levenson for book and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for music, the musical follows Evan and his need to be part of the community and the mistakes he makes trying to fit in and find friendship.

A Contemporary Theatre (A.C.T.) of CONNECTICUT, from now until Sunday, June 21, will carry you along in Evan’s journey of self-discovery. He works to achieve the life he so dearly wants to live. Will he repair the bridges he needs to cross to become the young man he wants to be? Will he accept the undeserved gift that has fallen mysteriously upon him? Kenny Lee stars as our reluctant hero who is thrust, unprepared, into the center of a drama. The cast also includes Erik Houck as Connor the boy who takes his life, Heather Ayers and Gil Brady as his devastated parents, Olivia Foght as Connor’a sister Zoe, Josh Hoyt and Amaya White as Evan’s friends, and Maya Days as Evan’s mother. Scott Schwartz directs this sensitive tale of searching to end feeling invisible. The windows in Christopher Swader and Justin Swader’s scenic set are beautifully effective.

For tickets ($88 and up), call A.C.T. at 475-215-5497 or online at actofct.org. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Evan Hansen is an outsider, always looking in, until a surprise event offers him everything he could ever desire. The Washington Post calls it “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” Don’t miss this grand opportunity.

PALACE THEATER ROYALLY ENTERTAINS "ALMOST QUEEN"

Called the most authentic Queen tribute rock band since the days of Queen themselves, get ready to be rocked by the champions when Almost Queen offers the real experience at Waterbury’s Palace Theater for one day only on Saturday May 16 at 8 p.m. In perfect costumes, Almost Queen will deliver a performance with four part harmonies, live energy, presenting one ultimate Queen musical precision experience for your enjoyment.

Howard Stern has stated “These guys are even better than the Queen that’s out there touring.” Almost Queen guitarist Steve Leonard will open the show and perform with his band. He has been writing songs since his first rock concert, letting the music flow. He has a unique talent for blending rock with his reflective songwriting, often including contributions from Eric Slick on drums, Dave Dreiwitz on bass, John Skehan on mandolin and more.

Called breathtaking and authentically “guaranteed to blow your mind,” this four piece band is expert on recreating the Queen experience as unforgettable concert magic. For more than two decades, this group has faithfully recreated the sounds created by Freddie Mercury way back in 1970 in his British rock band. Formed in London, the band originally included Brian May on guitar and vocals, Roger Taylor on drums and vocals, John Deacon on bass with Freddie Mercury on piano and lead vocals. By 1975 they had achieved international success with “A Night at the Opera,” with “Bohemian Rhapsody” and later, in 1977, their album "News of the World” containing “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.”

By the early 1980’s, Queen had achieved status as one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world. In addition, they were one of the world’s best selling music artists, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

For tickets ($35-75), call the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-346-2000 or online at palacetheaterct.org. Plan on attending the preshow in the Poli Club on the second floor for Almost Queen, with pizza, wings and salad and drinks for purchase for $30. Call 203-346-2000 to purchase.

Come hear Queen’s greatest hits like “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Radio Ga Ga,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” ”We Will Rock You,” and “We Are the Champions.” Glory in these best-loved songs, thanks to the magic of Almost Queen.

IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE INTRODUCES BILLIE HOLIDAY'S PAIN AND PASSION

All Eleanora Fagan wanted in life was a house of her own, some children to fill it, and a night club where she could sing for her friends. Her childhood, however, set her on a path of sadness where her mother was frequently absent, she left school at eleven as a teen, a neighbor tried to rape her, and her mother sent her to be “a maid” at a house of prostitution. From this tragic beginning, Eleanora transformed herself into a gifted vocalist known for her style, tempo and phasing as well as her influence on jazz music and improvisational skills.

Until Sunday, May 31, you are cordially invited to make the acquaintance of Eleanora as Billie Holiday at Ivoryton Playhouse in the moving musical “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” by Lanie Robertson. In 1958, Frank Sinatra stated, “It is Billie Holiday who was, and still remains, the greatest single musical influence on me.”

Lady Day is unquestionably the most important influence on American popular singing in the last twenty years. Billie sang and recorded with such stellar bands as Count Basie, Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, among others, often finding the color of her skin an impediment to where she was allowed to perform. Her history with abusive men and her addictions to drugs and alcohol pursued her at every step. Serving time in prison cost her dearly, but friends organized a comeback concert at Carnegie Hall to a sold out crowd.

The damage to her career and to her addictions dictated that she only earned $11 in royalties the year before her death in 1959. Christiana Acosta Robinson is sadly luminous as Billie, as she tries to recapture the bloom on her trademark gardenias, a flower she wore in her hair nightly performing. Musical director Manny Houston portrays her pianist and protector, her main man Jimmy Powers, as she sings such classics as “God Bless the Child,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” “When a Woman Loves a Man,” “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” and “Strange Fruit.”

For tickets ($60 adults, $55 seniors, $25 students and discount tickets for $30 Thursday at 6 p.m. when available), call Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318, or online at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and ‘Wednesday,Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Todd L. Underwood directs this heartfelt tale of a star, one whose difficult life tried to dim her sparkle.

Despite lacking formal musical training, Holiday, who died at 44, won four Grammy Awards, all after her death, for Best Historical Album, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that announced “Billie Holiday changed jazz forever.” She is also listed as one of the 50 Great Voices by NPR and fourth on Rolling Stones list of “200 Greatest Singers of All Time.”

According to Billie Holiday, “Singing in a club is heaven,..,.and the best part of living to me.” She endured racial prejudice and great odds to overcome and reach her goals. Let her velvet voice caress you and her silky sounds and glorious vocals astound you, so you can learn the price she paid for her passion. Jazz historian Loren Schoenberg stated “no one should dispute that Billie Holiday is the definitive Jazz Singer” which nobody surely can deny.

BUSHNELL OFFERS A FUNNY NEW LOOK AT LOVE WITH "& JULIET"

Everyone knows the hauntingly sad love story of Romeo and Juliet, from two feuding families, who only want to be free to love and marry. With Juliet’s faithful nurse Angelica and Romeo’s dedicated priest, Friar Laurence, they plot a lifetime of happiness. Tragically it is not to be and they both die too soon, as if cursed.

What might happen if Juliet survives and lives to forge a new ending? Can she find happiness even if Romeo is no longer her love? Can Verona become a paradise and not a seat of despair?

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was written about 1591 and involves a long standing feud between Juliet’s family, the Capulets, and Romeo’s family, the Montagues. This greatest love story ever told is getting a do-over and a new look in “& Juliet” coming to the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts this week until Sunday, May 10. Written by the Emmy-winning creator of Schitt’s Creek, this delightful and funny brand new musical imagines a new scenario for Juliet: she doesn’t die for love of Romeo. Instead she gets a glorious new chance for happiness.

With Max Martin’s invigorating pop anthems like “Roar,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “Larger Than Life,” “Since U Been Gone,” “Baby One More Time,” and “That’s The Way It Is,” you will be flying high on Cloud 9 of romance. Can Juliet find a new sweetheart after losing Romeo? You bet she can. Come cheer her on as she begins a glorious second chance.

For tickets (48.50 and up), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at bushnell.org. Performances are Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Watch how Juliet magically flips the script and makes Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy into a comedy with delightful complications and romantic resolutions. Get a garter and a bouquet of orange blossoms ready.

"WATER" THEME OF 30TH ANNUAL LEONARDO CHALLENGE: SPLASH IN THE FUN!

Water is essential to life. While it may be without taste or smell or color, it is vital for all forms of life. It is not a source of nutrition or energy but humans must consume it if they hope to survive. About 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water and it is essential for agriculture, food production, fishing, transportation, sports, and cooling and heating homes and industries. What would we do without it?

The Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop wants you to look at water in an entirely different way. Think of the Greek god Narcissis who fell in love with his own reflection when he stared into a pool of water. The 30th Annual Leonardo Challenge, since 1995, has been a special fundraiser for the Museum, encouraging artists and craftspeople to focus on a specific item relating to the creative ideas of that master inventor Leonardo da Vinci.

This year on Thursday, May 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m that focus will be splashed and saturated on WATER, concentrating on all the ways Leonardo incorporated this substance into his artistic creations.

Come to the Museum, 915 Whitney Avenue, in Hamden for Food and Drink, an Art Auction and Live Music, both indoors and outdoors. Tickets are $85 each, with sponsorship tiers from $250-$5000. For credit card transactions, call 203-777-1833 or visit www.eliwhitney.org/events/leonardo-water. Tickets are available online or at the door.

In past years, the themes of the challenge have ranged from ice cream spoons to pencils to mirrors to buttons to playing cards and clothespins and many more. This year Leonardo’s relationship with water, his paintings and observations, will be explored by artists from all over the country. Perhaps one will create a piece of furniture, an item of jewelry, a children’s game, a mobile, a lamp, a piece of clothing, a work of art, the possibilities are endless. As an Italian born in 1452, he set the bar high, with his accomplishments in sculpture, painting, mathematics, architecture, engineering, anatomy, botany, geology, cartography, music and writing.

To date, artists have contributed such items as Angelic Seraph, Covered Bridge, As I See It, The Spirit of the Tide, Watercolor Postcards, Go With the Flow, and Ocean Bliss, and many more.

What better way to support and encourage the budding child inventors of tomorrow than by endowing the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop projects today. Come to the Challenge and applaud the unique works artists and artisans have recently contributed. Please support the worthy cause of educating our youth in thought provoking experiences and experiments of invention and design. Just as Leonardo might have said, “In every drop of water, there is a story waiting to be told.” Come hear this distinctive story for yourself.

GOODSPEED PRESENTS A POWERFUL "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR"

Few composers are the equal of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was never one to take the road more traveled. Even as a teenager when he was just starting to test out his literary pen he chose a topic less main stream and more creative: he wrote a musical about a boy in the Bible who receives an unusual gift from his father. That became the world famous rock musical “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

In the years to come, Lloyd Webber continued his unorthodox choice of subject matter by composing musicals about a gang of backyard felines (CATS), a poor woman who rises to become a powerful figurehead in her country of Argentina (Evita), teams of train engines who race on roller skates (Starlight Express) and a disfigured young man hiding in the bowels of a Paris opera house (The Phantom of the Opera).

Now you have the opportunity to experience another record breaking musical about another boy in the Bible: “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” playing Wednesday to Sunday, to June 7 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.

Composed by Lloyd Webber with Tim Rice, this over five decade old musical concerns the last week in the life of Jesus Christ and it is an emotional and moving experience. This is true punk rock, a biblical retelling of a savior who wants to cleanse the world of corruption and sin. This last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ, who is portrayed by a memorable Justin Matthew Sargent, is told through the eyes of his betrayer, one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, played with all his anger and confusion evident by Austin Lesch.

Tender moments are underscored by Stephanie Zaharis’s Mary Magdalene as she confesses to Jesus “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” while the passion and suffering are momentarily alleviated by the antics of a song and dance Vaudeville routine by King Herod, a mischief making Nicolette Antonia Shin belting out “King Herod’s Song." The high powered political naysayers who have banned together to end Jesus’ reign as the King of the Jews are led by Pontius Pilate’s Deven Kolluri, Jamari Darling as Calaphas and Kevin Trinio Perdido as Annas and the Priests Elijah Dawson and Michael James.

This spectacular rock musical that separates the myth from the man is directed by Tatiana Pandiani and the non-stop dance moves are choreographed by Amy Campbell. The lighting designed by Cha See is especially effective. A full orchestra led by Adam Souza supports the fully glorious sung story.

For tickets ($30 and up), call the box office at 860- 873-8668 or online at goodspeed.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m , Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (and select 2 p.m.), Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.(and select 6:30 p.m.).

Enter the emotional whirlwind as Jesus Christ realizes that those closest to him are determined to witness his destruction. After three years of trying to teach his beliefs as the son of God, he is sad and tired and prepared to die for his cause. He knows Peter will deny him three times and that Judas will betray him but he is accepting of his fate. Witness his powerful epic history.

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS "MOTHERS KNOW BEST"

If your memory is good, assuming you were already alive way back when, you can conjure up a radio show from 1949 that found a new home on television in 1954. It starred Robert Young as Jim Anderson and Jane Wyatt as his wife Margaret, and became a classic American sitcom about their three children Betty, Bud and Kathy (or Kitten to you), their daily challenges, in a middle class family living happily under one roof in a fictional Midwestern town Springfield.

As the series “Father Knows Best,” the show portrayed family life, the dynamics between parents and children, was highly-rated, ranked in the top ten Neilsen ratings, won several Emmy Awards and achieved high marks in telling character driven stories. Now move over “Father Knows Best,” and make room for a new team in town: Laura and Linda Benanti.

Westport Country Playhouse is offering up “Mothers Know Best” for your entertainment pleasure on Saturday, May 9 at 4 p.m. as a charming cabaret show from this mother/daughter duo. Laura, the daughter of Linda Wonneberger, a vocal coach and former actress and Martin Vidrovici, a Broadway actor and singer, is a Tony Award-winning actress and singer of Irish, German, and Serbian origin. Her credits include playing Maria von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” and Louise in "Gypsy” for which she won a Tony for Best Featured Actress. In addition, she was Tony-nominated for her roles in "Swing,” “Into the Woods,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” and “She Loves Me.”

Laura has also had appearances on series and sitcoms like “Go On,” “Nashville,” “Laura,” “Supergirl,” “The Detour,” “Gossip Girl” and “The Gilded Age.” You may remember seeing her, since 2016, on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert as First Lady Melania Trump. Laura Benanti has played everyone from Eliza Doolittle to Cinderella to Tallulah Bankhead. She is a big fan of Stephen Sondheim, has written a comedic board book for mothers M is for Mama (and also Merlot): A Modern Mom’s ABCs and toured around the world performing concerts. She is currently filming the Sony Pictures comedy NO HARD FEELINGS opposite Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Lawrence as well as The SHADE based on the award-winning short of the same name. Her performance in all forms of media have been called “a revelation,” “almost steals the show,” "one of our finest stage actresses,” a bold and energetic impression,” "stylish, witty and sneaklily funny,” and “show-stealing performance.”

Billy Stritch provides musical direction when Laura joins her mom Linda focusing on mother-daughter relationships in a sweet and touchingly humorous way. Mom has been seen in such shows as “The Odyssey,” “The Fantastics,” “Camelot,” “The Music Man,” “A Little Night Music,” “No, No, Nanette,” and “Guys and Dolls,” and many more. Now she has a vocal studio in New Jersey where she teaches local students to Broadway stars.

Linda is happily postponing retirement to go across country with Laura in a new entertainment endeavor with prior stops at 54 Below and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For tickets ($95, 85, and 75), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at box-office@westportplayhouse.org.

Come hear these two special ladies share meaningful parenting stories and styles, Linda's love of Judy Garland, sing duets like “Children Will Listen,” Laura sing a medley of songs from “My Fair Lady,” and originals songs she wrote herself and gift the audience with a rare present of their true affection as mother/ daughter, proving over again that “Mothers Know Best.” Sorry, Robert Young, you’ve been replaced. Plus, this is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day!

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE OFFERS A "FURLOUGH'S PARADISE"

What would two cousins who have grown up on the same street, virtually in each other’s pockets, for their entire childhood, do when they take dramatically different paths to the future? As adults these two women find themselves thrust together in a catayclysmic heart wrenching encounter over one three day weekend. A funeral has brought the pair in a visceral clash that threatens their emotional well being irrevocably.

Let the Yale Repertory Theatre put you in the middle of the conflict with a.k.payne’s starkly revealing “Furlough’s Paradise” until Saturday, May 16. These two Black women are powerfully portrayed by Tiffany McLarty’s Mina and Lauren F. Walker’s Sade. No longer are they hopeful girls sharing memories of watching "The Little Mermaid" together while munching on bowls of Cookie Crisp cereal, building forts out of bed sheets or holding pillow fights, and reminiscing about Mina’s dad and Sade’s mom, brother and sister, and how they colored and influenced their childhood.

Now Sade is on a brief furlough from prison and Mina reflects on her college education and future plans and their differences balloon as giant obstacles before them. Can they crawl their way back from the cliff of alienation and find the peace and love they once embraced? Is there a reconciliation in their future, a chance to create a utopia together? As they reenact their parents’s funerals, they work to reestablish their love pact from the past, but can they? This involving and emotion driven drama is directed by abgail jean-baptist.

For tickets ($15-50), call the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven at 203-432-1234 or online at yalerep.org. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., with talkbacks after with the cast and playwright.

Watch how grieving and shared memories of the past allow these two almost-sisters to reopen closed doors to their hearts and souls.

NEW HAVEN THEATER COMPANY HAS STORIES OF IRELAND GALORE

Storytelling dates back to prehistoric times to preserve culture and communicate ideas. Before the invention of writing around 3200 BCE, the primary method of storytelling was by word of mouth. Epic tales, theatrical narratives, and religious texts were told. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century shot storytelling up the revolutionary trail.

For a revealing example of this ancient art, with an emphasis on ghost stories with things that go bump in the night, travel to an Irish pub, Brendan’s, courtesy of the New Haven Theater Company where a quintet of people, four men who know each other well and a woman new to the community have gathered for a pint or three of Guinness. Join them for Conor McPherson’s "The Weir” as they share tales of a supernatural theme that touch the heart and the imagination. Until Saturday, May 9, the EBM and Civvies Vintage Store, 839 Chapel Street, New Haven will offer you a seat at the bar.

Director George Kulp is passionate about this play, calling Conor McPherson the finest playwright of his generation. He calls this play lyrical and amazing, that in February 2025 was adapted into a film with the cast of the Dublin/London revival. The four men who frequently meet over a pint of stout have know each other for years: Gavin Whelan’s Brendan who owns the pub and his usual customers, J. Kevin Smith’s Jack, Steve Scarpa’s Jim, and John Bachelder’s Finbar. Tonight Finbar chances to introduce a newcomer who has just moved to the community, Melissa Andersen's Valerie.

As the alcohol loosens their Irish tongues, the men start telling stories that involve conflicts in the past, burial plots, romances that went wrong with regrets, strange knocks on the door, ghostly overtones, betting on horses, tales of fairies, old folklore, tricksters, priestly blessings, a special soup stock, a newly dug grave, a howling wind and an accident under the water.

For tickets ($25), go online to www.newhaventheatercompany.com. Performances are Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Get involved in the private and public lives of these hard working Irish men who are fascinated by the beautiful newcomer in their world. They wow her with strange tales of the past, real or imagined, and then are spellbound when they listen to the story she is compelled to share with them in return.

SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE PROCLAIMS "IT'S A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING"

Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre is proclaiming “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” until Sunday, May 10 and you are cordially invited to make it a glorious occasion. Hopefully you’ll be requested to sing along without having to audition for a part. Singing is a delightful pastime and will make you feel happy and alive, spirited and full of joy.

A chorus of five will set the stage, the tempo and the harmony for a tribute to the great team of Rodgers and Hammerstein with a musical revue of Broadway Classics. Come feast on a banquet of hit tunes and some lesser known songs from such gems as "The King and I,” “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “Cinderella,” ”State Fair,” and “South Pacific.” What a treasure chest of jewels!

With a special cast that includes Morgan Cowling, Abigail Hammond, Elizabeth Fox, Kenneth Galm and Charles Romano, under the smooth direction of Constantine Pappas, and a great accompanying band of Richard Carsey on piano, Eric Pelletier on reeds, Igor Lepak on bass, and Mark Ryan and Bob Nolte on percussion, the stage is set. Sit back for a delightful serenade of tunes you fondly remember and many that will be new to your ears. More than thirty tunes are awaiting you, like Oklahoma’s Surrey with the Fringe on the Top, The Sound of Music's Maria, South Pacific’s I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and South Pacific’s Some Enchanted Evening. The magic keeps rolling along.

For tickets, visit SevenAngelsTheatre.org or call 203-757-4676. Remember the speciality nights that accompany many performances. Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Look forward to Patricia Griffin, psychic medium on May 17, $32 and Lee-Ann Lovelace Live!, on May 24, $30 and The Broken Hearts-A Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on June 6, $25. Check out the Youth Summer Theatre Program for ages 7-18 starting June 22.

In these stressful times, it is wonderful to let yourself relax for a few hours of pure listening pleasure and Seven Angels has just the perfect ticket here.

"LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION." CONCERTS CELEBRATING MOVIES AND MUSIC BY CTGMC

Movies and Music go together like Butter and Popcorn, especially when they are paired by the genius of the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus for a trio of festive spring concerts. This incredible men’s assemblage of superb voices are ready to present a parade of movies where songs are the stars and all you have to do is sit back and hum along with pleasure.

On Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., take a seat at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Center in Old Saybrook or on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m., let the SHU Community Theatre in Fairfield be your magical venue. Are your favorite songsters Cher, Elvis, Liza, Adele, Madonna, Barbra, Neil, Frank or Johnny, and you are sure to hear some of your favorites, You might enjoy some of your besties like from “My Fair Lady,” or “Oklahoma,” some newer history themed treats like “Hamilton” or “Les Mis.” Be surprised to sing along to "Beauty and the Beast” or "The Music Man.” You never know what gifts the CTCMC has in store. You just know that it will be spectacular fun and perfect for your entertainment needs.

Come treat yourself to “Lights. Camera. Action. A Celebration of the Music of the Movies” as the silver screen comes alive with “unforgettable moments to Academy Award-winning songs you know and love.” The CTGMC promises a trio of afternoons and evenings packed with “big harmonies, standout vocals and glorious melodies.” Who could ask for anything more.

If music be the spice of life, play on. And don’t forget the exciting BingoMania the chorus is famous for hosting on one Saturday night a month. The next one scheduled is May 16, “May the 4th Be With You.” Admission for cards is $25, with cash prizes up to $2500. Cocktails, snacks, desserts and drinks are available and costumes are encouraged. Door open at 6 p.m. and games start at 7p.m. at The Annex Club, 554 Woodward Avenue, New Haven (just off I-95).

For concert tickets ($45) go to www.ctgmc.org.

Let these creative and colorful guys salute the movies and their memorable music for a fun and entertaining matinee or evening showcase.

"NUNSENSE" IS HABIT FORMING FUN AT LEGACY THEATRE IN BRANFORD

The Little Sisters of Hoboken, bless their kind hearts, have a problem and you can help then solve it. Come to their fundraiser at the Legacy Theatre in Branford by Sunday May 17 and aid them in burying the last four nuns out of 52 who died when the sisters were served soup by Sister Julia Child of God.

The good Little Sisters of Hoboken, your favorite nuns, are at it again and you're invited to the party. They are being forced to hold a talent show fundraiser as an emergency measure to stave off the imminent visit by the New Jersey Board of Health. Those blue sisters are in the freezer. Hence, the need to quickly raise funds for burial plots.

If this hooky and humorous plot line tickles your fancy, then you are prime candidates for Daniel Goggins' highly successful comedy “Nunsense.” being irreverently presented in Branford.

Come meet the Mother Superior who jealously guards all her chicks and her coterie which includes Sister Robert Anne who is Brooklyn street smart and the driver of the convent van, Sister Mary Leo who is literally always "on her toes" as a wannabe ballerina, the second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert who like Avis keeps trying harder, and, last but not least, Sister Amnesia who lost her marbles and memory when a crucifix fell on her head.

These devoted ladies of the cloth will move heaven and earth to provide you with an angelic performance as they sing, dance, tell jokes, provide cooking lessons and even bring out Sister Marionette, all in the service of the Lord to entertain you. Playwright Dan Goggins has resurrected memories from his sojourn in the Catholic school system to create this easily "habit forming" pastime.

Come see Keisha T. Fraser as Sister Mary Hubert, Melissa Goldberg as Sister Mary Leo, Jennifer Smith as Reverend Mother, Sarah Vieira as Sister Robert Anne and Semina DeLaurentis as Sister Mary Amnesia, a role she originated off-Broadway in 1985. Be prepared for a religious quiz or three, with appropriate prizes if you are correct, the perpetual understudy Sister Robert Anne vying for her turn in the spotlight, a country western singing session, a turn of fleet feet doing "Tackle That Temptation with a Time Step" and much much more. You might even be tempted to convert if you are not already a Catholic. Director James Gray directs and choreographs this delightful romp in religious humor.

For tickets ($41.50-56.50), call the Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Road, Branford at 203-315-1901 or online at Legacy TheatreCT.org. Watch for the next offerings of “The Wizard of Oz” July 9-August 2 and “The Odd Couple” September 10-October 4.

Prepare to be thoroughly engaged as the Little Sisters of Hoboken kick up their heels and pull out all the stops (and corks from the sacramental wine) to entertain you in heavenly splendor. Enjoy every moment of their angelic offerings.

TWH BRINGS "CIRCUS FIRE" TO FRIGHTENING REALITY

The circus has long been a fascinating adventure for young and old alike, a voyage to a magic land of entertainment that is a three ring excitement to thrill and marvel. When it comes to town you are encouraged to grab your popcorn, peanuts and Cracker Jacks, your orange circus peanuts, cotton candy, and snow cones, to anticipate the fun. Tragically, things can go wrong and the circus can be the scene of sadness, when the big tent is the shadow of terror and becomes an inferno. Now ”Circus Fire” is coming to town, a world premiere written by Jacques Lamarre, conceived by Jacques Lamarre, Jared Mezzocchi and Rob Ruggiero, with direction and multimedia experience by Jared Mezzocchi until Sunday May 31.

The First Company Governor’s Foot Guard at 159 High Street in Downtown Hartford becomes the scene in July 1944 when the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth, rolls into town to entertain the citizens of Hartford. Our country is at war and the heat of summer is imminent and heavy. Families are excited and full of happy plans. In a tent as big as a football field, a fire mysteriously start and suddenly an inferno erupts. Neither the community fire and police or the circus crew are prepared to help.

Tragically within minutes the tent is engulfed in flames and people are panicked and running for their lives, grabbing children’s hands and fleeing. Twelve actors-Mike Boland, Constantino Fernandez, Olivia Nicole Hoffman, Rebecka Jones, Caroline Kinsolving, Anastasia Maglaras, Eric Orsini, Stuart Rider, Janelle Anne Robinson, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., Marco Verna, and Dan Whelton-become the ring master, clown, band leader, circus worker, circus administrators, family members, and investigators who work to discover what happened. What happened to the 167 men, women and children who did not survive? Could it have been prevented? Who was responsible, the Hartford community or the circus, or both? Jacques Lamarre builds a tension that is heartbreakingly real.

For tickets ($65-80), call TheaterWorks Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at twhartford.org. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Don’t miss the party of the year on May 16 for PARTY ON PEARL, the 40th Anniversary of TWH.

Catch the fever of the stampede as excitement turns to terror, as the unthinkable becomes reality, as the greatest joy becomes intense tragedy, and you are witness to the horror.

PULITZER PRIZE WINNING DRAMA "PRIMARY TRUST" AT WCP

What would your life be like without family or friends? Lonely and sad probably.If at the tender age of ten your mother, your only living relative dies of cancer, you never experience a true sense of belonging again and how tragic might that be.

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. Westport Country Playhouse is offering a lesson in “Primary Trust,” a winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama by Eboni Booth, a sensitive study of survival and triumph of spirit, directed by Logan Vaughn until Saturday, May 2.

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 Greg Stuhr, he is sick and selling out, Alphonso Walker Jr's Kenneth in effect suffers a meltdown.

Having lost his mother when he was young, 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 Greg Stuhr, miraculously takes him under his wing at Primary Trust Bank and, like the Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” embues Kenneth with new courage. Jasmine Johnson’s legion of friendly waitresses at Wally’s gives him a sense of self-esteem and old imaginary pal Bert, Lance Coadie Williams, sticks around long enough to seal the do-over deal.

For tickets ($50 and up), call WCP, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at westportplayhouse.org. Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:00 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

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. His story is heartbreaking, yet uplifting and ultimately one of courage and resilience.

"WATCHING MR. PEARSON" A WONDERFUL NEW FILM ABOUT DEMENTIA

Being diagnosed with dementia can indicate memory problems, thinking abilities, and difficult social interactions. Finding words and having problems with communications, getting lost while driving, trouble solving problems or organizing, poor coordination and confusion are common. People may exhibit depression, anxiety, and agitation, show changes in personality, have hallucinations, and show paranoia. Many people cope with a family member or friend who has dementia. Almost seven million people aged 65 or older suffer from this series of diseases and their experiences may seem drastically different. All are difficult to handle.

Thankfully two young men, Dillon Bentlage and Simon Kincade, became friends on the campus of Boston University and established as a writing team to make movies in such far away places as Holland and Australia, the latest being an informative and sensitive one entitled “Watching Mr Pearson.” Filmed in Guilford, Connecticut, it is a true family affair with Dillon serving as both co-founder and producer, his wife Dominika Zawada playing the role of the caregiver Caroline in a caring and creative way, how closely it relates to his personal grandmother and that his parents invite Dillon to shoot his movie in their beautiful home on the water.

Dillon utilized his own family experiences in Shelton to frame his film. focusing on a successful Hollywood actor Robert Pearson who suffers from a double loss, that of his career and the development of dementia. The bond between Robert and his caregivers, Caroline and Miguel, played by Luis Rizo, is touching and fragile, exhausting and difficult, at times horrible and at others unbelievable humorous. As director Dillon Bentlage movingly portrays how the progression of the disease affects Robert’s safety and sanity, equally difficult for the person struggling with the diagnosis and for the caregivers adjusting to the changing personalities of the patient.

For Caroline, she uses creatively restated scenes from Robert’s beloved old movies, with costumes and props, and dialogue, to try to reach him and pull him out of his emotional darkness and give him some of his old joy again. By contrast, Robert’s other caregiver Miguel does not share Caroline’s vision and wants to keep his treatment in a safer zone, more by the conventional books. Both must embrace patience if they can ever hope to succeed. They are the single resources most directly on the frontlines of this highly emotional battle.

This story and the devastating toll it takes on the patient and the family is all too familiar. The patient’s behavior can dramatically change, as a calm and loving person can demonstrate violence and anger. They can remember events and people from decades ago and forget what happened five minutes in the past, and ask again and again where they are and how they got there and how they will get home.

For actor Hugo Armstrong who plays Robert, the film is a learning lesson, a valuable lesson in its telling symptoms and how it affects the whole family irrevocably. Called “an actor’s favorite actor.” he has played every one from Uncle Vanya to a character on “Will Trent,” on “NCIS,” ‘Monk,” “Blacklist, detectives to lawyers, and also as writers and producers in the industry. Sam Burlington plays the young Robert, a Texas born actor and producer who fondly remembers growing up in front of a small tv watching movies. He too has been featured on such shows as “Will Trent” and “NCIS” and “Fallout.” Dominika Zawada’s Caroline is an international actress from Poland who captures the sensitivity of her role as caregiver in a sweet and charming manner. No person in her family has dementia but she was involved in the script at all the drafts. It opened her eyes to the different approach to care and now she is seeing the disease everywhere. For Luis Rizo, the male caregiver Miguel, he has known Dillon since being his roommate in college. They share a love of movies.

This project is clearly a labor of love. Dillon and co-writer Simon have already collaborated on films in the Netherlands and Australia. Dillon’s dad Autonius came to America from an old seafaring family in the Netherlands in 1993 and has been involved in pre- and post- editing. He even offered Dillon the use of his home in Guilford to film the movie, moving out with his wife for two months to make it easier. The set was so wonderful the house is like a character in the movie. When Dillon initially approached Hugo with the script, Hugo didn’t think he was right for the part. After reading the script and seeing its possibilities Hugo got to the last page and called Dillon to say it was “Wonderful.” Hugo found it “unexpectantly beautiful, achinging exquisite” and he couldn’t wait to go off to the races.

For Dillon Bentlage, this independent film set in one location, telling the story of one character and his personal struggle, shows his many lives and how he learns to know himself again. Watch for screenings across the country using links to watchingmrpearson and ktpictures.com. Let “Watching Mr. Pearson” open a door to dementia and how it affects the patient and the family and friends in profoundly personal ways.

"THE WEDDING SINGER" IS READY TO PARTY AT THE WARNER THEATRE IN TORRINGTON

Shakespeare once stated “If music be the food of love, play on.” But our love affair with music dates far beyond the Bard. Every society, past and present, has embraced music as a cultural constant, even back to isolated tribal groups and their primitive instruments. In 2008, a five-holed bone flute was discovered in a cave in Germany thought to be 35,000 years old. Think how colorless and silent our world would be without magical musical sounds.

The Warner Theatre in Torrington in general and the Nancy Marine Studio in particular are anything but colorless and silent as “The Wedding Singer” The Musical Comedy roars into town in party mode until Sunday April 26. For that popular and often confused Robbie Hart. love is a central theme of his life, after all he serenades brides and grooms at their marriages for a living. Is it wrong for him to desire that companionship and eternal romance for himself? Come watch the merry and energetic cast blow their bobby socks out of their sneakers with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, based on the 1998 film of the same name.

One of the hardest and most important decisions you must make in life is who to marry. This is a lasting and profound life answer with grand consequences. It may take years or even decades before you truly know whether the decision was truly correct or definitely a mistake. What answer could be so decisive in its scope? Who is the perfect one to bond with in marriage?

Ron St. John’s Robbie Hart has just suffered heartbreak when his fiancee Linda leaves him for her old flame Sammy. Meanwhile Robbie meets a lovely singer Julia, Julia Nelson, at a wedding venue and interesting sparks begin to fly. Poor, confused Robbie lives in Ridgefield, New Jersey with Rosie (Elyse Jasensky) a lively senior who believes in her heart her grandson will achieve his dreams, be a success in life and find true love. She is his number one fan club president.

Along the way, he has a short fling with Holly (Zayda), tries to reconnect with Linda (Katie Locascio), watches Julia select Glen (Paul Donovan-Lietz) as better husband material, has to see Holly hook up again with Sammy (Mike Zimmerman), and decide to join the financial firm run by Glen and quit his bandmates and his dream of being a rock star.

Lively tunes like “It’s Your Wedding Day,” “Casuality of Love,” “Come Out of the Dumpster,” “Saturday Night in the City,” “All About the Green,” “Right in Front of Your Eyes,” “Single,” and “Grow Old With You” keep the action jumping. This big hearted musical is directed and choreographed by Travis Kendrick-Castanho.

For tickets ($32-37), call the Warner Theatre, 84 Main Street, Torrington at 860-489-7180 or online at warner theatre.org. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m, Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Get your dancing shoes on, wrap a wedding present, and buy hop over to the Nancy Marine Studio Theater for some jazzy fun as orange blossom bloom and love fills the air. Let’s get this party started!

WHAT IS "THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT" AT PLAYHOUSE ON PARK

How important is the truth? Must it be accurate? Does anybody really care? Will the world revolve around news that is almost factual? Is what you read in the newspapers and magazines, see on the tv news channels, or hear on the radio. an estimate of the truth or a wild guess of what might really be occurring? How would you even know?

Playhouse on Park in West Hartford is offering you a real and dramatic entry into the publication world of veracity with an intriguing foray into fiction vs. fact, the rabbit hole of “false news,” the option of exaggeration to make the writing more enticing, the difference between truth in journalism and creativity in an essay. Based on the true book by essayist John D’Agata snd fact checker Jim Fingal, come see the play by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell, “The Lifespan of a Fact” playing until Sunday May 3rd.

John D’Agata has penned a powerful piece about a young man, a teenager who commits suicide in Las Vegas by jumping off a tall building. Emily Penrose is the editor of a literary magazine wishing to publish John’s piece, but only if her newest hire Jim Fingal can fact check its accuracy. Suddenly with Jim’s attentiveness the fifteen page writing mushrooms to over one hundred pages.

Edward Montoya’s Jim wants to be perfect and accurate at his assignment. He questions everything: the boy’s name, his parents’ reaction to the deed, every comment John makes, the color of the bricks on the building, the seconds of the fall, every minute detail. Shannon Michael Wamser’s John is not amused by the excessive investigation, while Suzanne O’Donnell’s Emily is the referee in charge of the two men not resorting to fisticuffs and whether the “article” even gets pblished. The volcano is about to explode with hot lava in danger of burning the trio. Matt Pfeiffer directs this cauldron of controversy.

For tickets ($38.50-58.50), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900 ex. 10 or online at 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. Morning shows are at 10:30 a.m.and cost $25.

Come see the power struggle that wages between the three opinionated individuals and the controversial piece of writing that may help save a magazines’s future or destroy its integrity forever.

WORKING "9-5" WHAT A WAY TO EARN A LIVING AT MTC

Who would want to work for a mean and demeaning boss, one who dictates deadlines and uncompromising rules without consideration? Is the almighty paycheck and health insurance worth the daily punishment? What if you had the power to turn the tables (or desks) and get some satisfying revenge? Would you cringe away from the satisfaction or seize the opportunity? The moment for decision is now as Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk launches the stellar musical “9-5” weekends until Sunday, May 3.

Come glory in the music and lyrics of the grand Dolly Parton paired with the delightful book by Patricia Resnick as three downtrodden female coworkers decide they have had enough guff and disrespect and they can’t take it any more. With a clever scheme and some heavy handed plotting, this trio of lady coworkers decide they have to take command of the copy machine and the coffee maker and take a stand for justice, women and the American way so watch out Franklin Hart the lines of battle have been drawn in the mimeograph machine.

Come watch as Gina Lamparella as Violet, Hannah Bonnett as Doralee and Elissa Demaria as Judy take on Joe Cassidy's Franklin Hart, with the help of Robin Lounsbury as Roz, Matt Mancuso as Joe, Christian Libonati as Dick, Scott Ahearn as Dwayne, Emma Kops as Maria, Alyssa McDonald as Kathy, Tyler Brian Miranda as Josh and Lucy Moon as Margaret and Missy. This cast is super enthusiastic and great on their feet. Tucked inside the plot for revenge, you might even discover a little romance.

The show is set in the late 1970’s, way before the #Me Too Movement got started. The stellar creative team is led by Director Amy Griffin and includes Choreographer Clint Hromsco, Music Director Zachary Anderson, Costume Designer Diane Vanderkroef. Lighting Designer Scott Borowka, and Scenic Designer Starlet Jacobs. Great fun songs keep the action jumping.

Tickets ($ 50-60 ), call the MTC, 509 Westport Avenue, Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or online at musictheatreofct.com. The production will run on Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm. and Sundays at 2 pm.

Whether your boss is the nicest person in the world or a close relative of a monster, you will have an In box of joy watching this musical comedy of office politics play out on the stage of the MTC. Your desk chair and Rolodex, your rope and gun are waiting. Watch friendship and revenge battle against a sexist, egotistical bigot and cheer on the winners!

COME LEARN ABOUT NEW FILM "LADY PARTS"

When Bonnie Gross was only 13, she experienced a sharp, burning, stabbing pain in her stomach that escaped diagnosis for years, across four states by twenty different doctors. She was told she was crazy, that it was all in her head, and that she was making it up. This condition was isolating and was brought about when she rode a bicycle, tryed to use tampons, and later had sex. The problem was in her female genitalia, a body part that has been given such strange names as fufu, vajayjay, pussy, kitty, muff, fandango, hoo ha, down there, lady garden, pocketbook and happy clam. You may know it better as vagina.

After ten years of searching, and being told to use more lube and to stop concentrating on her symptoms, Bonnie found a doctor, Dr. Andrew Goldstein, who diagnosed her condition in five minutes and told her she needed surgery: a vulvar vestibulectomy. She discovered 16% of women suffer from this condition, but little is taught about it, little research is being conducted, and very few people are even talking about it. It was even more disturbing to learn the $10,000 surgery was not covered by insurance because the procedure was considered cosmetic.

All of this was happening while Bonnie was being offered her dream job and the length of her recovery would take a year to complete. Luckily for her, her parents were very supportive, had her move home to Philadelphia and were wonderfully helpful through ever step of the operation. This life changing validation occurred in 2016. By some miraculous stroke of fate, Bonnie Gross possesses skills that made it perfect for her to tell her story to the world in the form of a film, a documentary, a dramedy, a comedy. Her story is now “Lady Parts,” filmed in New York and Los Angeles, giving her a diagnosis and a platform to make a difference, to show how she was to finally find answers, to use her mother’s similar medical issue to expand the conversation for other women, to raise public awareness and create a community conversation.

With director Nancy Boyd and producer Bonnie Gross, the pair have used their personal and painful experiences, honestly and brutally truthfully, what they each went through for medical treatment, when having a sense of humor, surrounded by family and friends was critical. Come meet Paige, a brave Valentina Tammaro, on the verge of her dream career in Los Angeles and moving home to her parents, recovery a year over. The film won festivals, same resources with majestic connections like Tight Lipped, Intimate Rose, Hellocina, The Pelvic People, Isswsh and Our Body Justice Project and she will prepare for another surgery this summer.

Now thirty-two Bonnie Gross has championed to challenge her cause to research, education and treatment, to give the vagina "a voice,” and an ideal writer, filmmaker and comedian to make a major difference.