"CABARET" SWIRLS WITH MAGIC AND MENACE AT GOODSPEED MUSICALS

The Kit Kat Club in Berlin, Germany circa 1929 is set for pleasure, with enough senuous, sexual, spectacular excitement to sink a battleship. With no holds barred, the nightclub is overflowing with snazzy, slinky and sensational selections guaranteed to make you forget your troubles and just dance, dance, dance while you drink to distraction. Your table is waiting at Goodspeed Opera House for you to arrive, where life is always beautiful, until Sunday, July 3. These party goers are like the proverbial ostrich that was known for sticking its head in the sand and ignoring the world around it. The same could be argued for the citizens of Berlin when they kept themselves busy partying and dancing and drinking, faster and faster, so they were oblivious to the dangers swirling around them outside the night club doors. The frantic and frenetic times created so masterfully by Joe Masteroff’s book, John Kander’s music and Fred Ebb’s lyrics in “Cabaret,” based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood will be on splendid display, thanks to the glittering scenic design by Michael Schweikardt, complete with a dizzying array of disco balls, the spot on choreography of Lainie Sakakura and glamour personified in Lex Liang’s costumes. The welcome mat is securely laid out by the seductive and most accommodating Emcee Jelani Remy who urges you to leave all your troubles outside and have a good time, especially with his bevy of Kit Kat Girls to entertain you. Headlining the show is the sparkling singer from Mayfair, England, Miss Sally Bowles, a stars in her eyes Aline Mayagoitia, who is busy breezing through life seemingly without a care. She dangles men like so much jewelry, using them to accommodate her needs, like the club owner Max and the newcomer to Berlin, the American writer Cliff Bradshaw, the naive but trusting Bruce Landry. On the train into town, Cliff meets the dangerously single minded Ernst Ludwig, a focused for the cause Tim Fuchs, who helps Cliff secure a room at the boarding house of Fraulein Schneider, a hard working and sincere Jennifer Smith. She is busy keeping track of her tenants like the overly friendly to sailors Fraulein Kost, a convincing Terra C. MacLeod, and the sweetheart of a greengrocer Herr Schultz, Kevin Ligon, who wants to make Fraulein Schneider his wife. The fact that he is Jewish becomes an obstacle of elephantine proportions. Light hearted fun in songs like “Don’t Tell Mama” segue in alarming ways to the themes of “Tomorrow Belongs To Me,” as it echoes the Nazi message, and the hidden in plain sight discrimination of “If You Could See Her,” as the Emcee dances with his dummy doll lady friend. Meanwhile dark clouds obscure the sun, foreshadowing the storm to come, as James Vasquez directs this musical with hidden fangs in a decidedly wicked and “wunderbar” way. For tickets ($30-85), call the Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main Street, East Haddam at 860-873-8664 or online at www.goodspeed.org. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Masks are required in the theater. Scrap off the glitter on the surface of the Kit Kat Klub and discover that all is not beautiful, no matter how hard the Emcee tries to make you believe it is so.

"NATIVE GARDENS" BLOOM OUT OF CONTROL AT IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE

You’ve heard of the feuding families of the Hatfields and the McCoys circa the Civil War in West Virginia and Kentucky? Well, there’s a new feud in town, this time in Washington, DC and you’re invited to take one side or the other. Ivoryton Playhouse welcomes you to “Native Gardens” by playwright Karen Zacarias, growing out of control until Sunday, June 12. Traditionally gardens are a special place for pleasure and a sense of peace, where one can contemplate nature in all its glory, watching bees pollinate petunias and butterflies flit their wings fancy free. What happens when new neighbors have vastly different views of appropriate flowering plants and the fences that enclose them, despite Robert Frost’s view that fences make good neighbors? Come meet Frank and Virginia (Joseph Dellger and Stacia Fernandez) who have enjoyed their historic neighborhood for years, while Frank has cultivated a special flower garden so he can compete for a desired horticultural prize, one that keeps eluding him. Enter new next door neighbors Tania and Pablo (Blanca Grande and Jose-Maria Aguila), she who is quite pregnant and working on a doctorate and he who has joined a law firm and is anxious to make partner. The couples share glasses of wine and good company until Pablo rashly invites his entire legal firm to a barbecue in less than a week and Tania tries to renovate their garden and erect a new fence. Her desire to grow native plants, which Frank sees as nothing more than weeds, and a surveyor’s plot lines that reveal a big discrepancy in who owns what land cause the two couples to verbally and physically come to blows. As the date of the barbecue inches closer, the not-so-nice neighbors are ready for a full fledged feud. The fact that Frank’s big flower competition is now seriously in question, after all the hard work he has done, does not alter or diminish the tension. Will Frank and Virginia claim Squatter’s rights? Will the law firm be impressed by Tania’s “natural garden”? Can the stately neighborhood withstand the accusations of being racist? How will the arrival of the new baby affect the situation? Brian J. Feehan directs this delightful comedy on a lovely set designed by Daniel Nischan. For tickets ($55, seniors $50, students $25), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 3 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Bring proof of vaccination. Come discover whether bees and butterflies will find a home in the gardens in question, creating peace and harmony in nature.

"STRAIGHT WHITE MEN" STANDING TALL AT WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE

On Christmas Eve, Ed (Richard Kline) invites his sons Jake (Bill Army), a divorced banker, and Drew (Nick Westrate), an author and teacher, to join him and his eldest son Matt (Denver Milord) in their ancestral home. As they bond over Chinese food, eaten out of the cartons, and decorate the tree that comes in a three part assembly, the brothers take to childish pranks guaranteed to irritate, perform wild dance moves, and play their deceased mother’s version of Monopoly, now called Privilege. When the silly songs, rambunctious horseplay and smelly socks stop, the boys focus their attention on the oldest brother Matt who was the great white hope of the family growing up. To Drew and Jake, Matt is a total failure. He is now living at home, performing a mediocre job, with no prospects or desire to change. Plus he began to cry over his General Tso’s chicken. He is happiest making a great pie with whipped cream or vacuuming the rec room, but these are the sum total of his ambitions. Diagnosing Matt’s problem as depression, Drew and Jake suggest therapy and a course in self-reliance, while dad thinks he can buy his return to good health. For tickets ($30 and up), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Route 1, Westport at 203-227-4177 or 888-927-7529 or online at www.westportplayhouse.org/straightwhitemen Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m.and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. You must show proof of vaccination and wear a mask. Playwright Young Jean Lee describes her play as a response to the question, “If I woke up tomorrow and I was a straight white man, what would I do?” Come to Westport Country Playhouse and find out.

"THE AGITATORS" REVEAL THEIR ROLE IN HISTORY

West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park is offering theater goers a unique opportunity until Sunday, June 12 to make the acquaintance of two pioneers of our American history who devoted their entire lives to the cause of human rights for the newly freed slaves and for women who were subservient to their husbands, neither group being allowed the fundamental privilege of having the right to vote. Playwright Mat Smart has fashioned a fascinating tale of the unlikely friendship of former slave Frederick Douglass who taught himself to read and write, believing “knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom,” and suffragette Susan B. Anthony, born a Quaker, who devoted her days and nights to securing women their basic rights. Both individuals were ignited by the spark of change and united their causes to reach the heights together. While they could easily have been adversaries, they became allies. While they could have been enemies, they became friends. Both were outspoken activists and abolitionists, banning together to secure voting rights for slaves and for women. They didn’t allow racial bias to overshadow gender bias and supported an unusual friendship that lasted almost five decades. Gabriel Lawrence is a powerful Frederick Douglass who urges Sam Rosentrater’s determined Susan B. Anthony to join forces for the cause of freedom. Especially today when the right to vote is under attack and presidential results are being questioned it is imperative that we follow these shapers of American history. Do we not deserve a country that is for all our citizens? What would it feel like to not have a voice guaranteed for every color and shade of our population? We need to be able to cast ballots together side by side, without fear of retribution. Douglass and Anthony tirelessly crisscrossed the country garnering support for amendments fifteen and nineteen, uniting in their mutual causes. Even though Douglass felt his fight came first, he eventually gave his support to the women’s movement in their fierce fires of rebellion. Together they shared thunder and light, Anthony even getting arrested for voting illegally. Their story is illuminating and enlightening, in the era before and after the American Civil War, from 1849 to 1895, from Rochester, New York to Albany, to Boston, New York City and Washington, DC. Kelly O’Donnell directs this engaging encounter from the past that still echoes and reverberates in our actions today. For tickets ($37.50-$50), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900 ext. 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. Masks are strongly encouraged. Watch a time in history come dramatically alive as these fine actors reenact their struggles and alliances for a truly worthy cause.

"BETWEEN TWO KNEES" A BITING SATIRE AT YALE REP

Historically our relations with Native Americans has been complicated and universally unfair. It has involved genocide, stolen land, broken treaties and frequent wars. One would think these unlikely topics for a comedy but the troupe the 1491s would convincingly like to differ. To prove their point, they are mounting a wild and wooly statement of historical facts in an original offering, in its East Coast premiere, of “Between Two Knees” at New Haven’s Yale Repertory Theatre until Saturday, June 4. The 1491s embrace satire, stress the absurd, skewer the establishment and use comedy as a tool of resistance. Since 2009, they have been cutting their incisors on YouTube videos and now have produced a full length play about the importance of honoring the sovereignty of Native Nations across our lands, the lands that were originally their own. With a storyline that floats from the Revolutionary War, to Wounded Knee, to Vietnam and everywhere in-between, the audience will be bombarded with references to everyone from Vanna White to Stephen King, so pay attention. It follows one Native American family, from the Lakota tribe, and their son and grand son, and what happens to them as they try to survive. The talented cast includes Edward Astor Chin, Rachel Crowl, Derek Garza, Justin Gauthier, Shyla Lefner, Wotko Long, Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Sheila Tousey playing multiple roles that express their heritage. To the 1491s, this production “is a version of comedy that takes back power that has been lost or stolen. It is a way of looking right in the eyes of the people who tried to kill you and laughing at them.” The result is thought provoking and impossible to ignore. The recent disclosure of Native American schools that have been abusing children for decades and resulting in numerous deaths underlines that continuing mistreatment over the years. This is eye opening theater that should and will haunt you under the careful direction of Eric Ting. For tickets ($10-65), call the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven at 203-432-1234 or online at www.yalerep.org. Performances are Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Bring your proof of vaccination and booster. A recent negative COVID test will not be accepted. Wear your mask. Let the more than life size versions of the buffalo, wolf and eagle by set designer Regina Garcia welcome you to the discussion of our relationship with Native Americans that begs for a resolution and long overdue improvement.

"QUEEN" GETTING ROYAL TREATMENT AT LONG WHARF

Honey bees are often considered essential to humanity and that without their pollination we would starve to death in a matter of years. Whether or not that is true, the survival of the honey bee is thought to be of paramount concern for the world. In addition to pollinating 90% of our plants, bees help keep the planet green. Their role in keeping our environment alive cannot be overstated. Bees support flowers and trees and other plants as well as food and shelter for small and large creatures. For an inside and intimate look at the role of bees in our society, buzz your way to New Haven’s Long Wharf Theatre for Madhuri Shekar’s drama “Queen” until Sunday, June 5. Two researchers are united in discovering why honey bees are being threatened and who or what is responsible. They have been working tirelessly with statistics and calculations for almost seven long years and they are on the cusp of presenting their findings and being published in a prestigious magazine Nature. For Ariel Spiegel, a dedicated Stephanie Janssen, and Sanam Shah, a mathematical genius Avanthika Srinivasan, this is their triumphant hour and worthy of all the sacrifices they have made. That is, until, Sanam discovers a mistake in calculations that will effect all their predictions and erase any chance that they will be lauded for their work. In consulting with their advisor Dr. Philip Hayes, a compromising Ben Livingston, and a new boyfriend of Sanam’s, Arvind Patel, a convincing Keshav Moodilar, the women receive a varying degree of advice that set them on a complicated trail of decisions. Will they abandon their research, or will they hide their disprenpancy and hope it is not discovered? Will they continue their work but in a new direction? And how will their decision affect their careers and their friendship? Aneesha Kudtarkar directs they involving question of morals. For tickets ($19-59, student $10), call Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven at 203- 693-1486 or online at www.longwharf.org. Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID tests are required and masks must be worn. Enter into this complicated question of ethics that casts a long shadow over scientific work that is about to see the light of day, or will it?

"MACK IS BACK" IGNITES BRANFORD'S LEGACY THEATRE

When you think of teenage heart throbs of the 1960’s, look no further than Bobby Darin, an American idol as a singer, musician, dancer, composer, activist in politics, actor and publisher. Born Walden Robert Cassotto, he began his career as a songwriter for Connie Francis, recording his first million-selling single with “Splish Splash” in 1958 at the age of 22. He took the name Darin when he began to record, modeling it after the actor Darren McQueen, TV’s Mike Hammer. Bobby Darin gained worldwide fame with his tunes “Dream Lover.” “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea.” His musical range included rock and roll, jazz, swing, folk, pop and country music. Along the way he performed in thirteen movies, in one of which he met and married Sandra Dee. Becoming politically active, he was at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angleses in June 1968 when Robert Kennedy was assassinated. That was also the year he discovered the woman who raised him was his grandmother and that his mother was actually the woman he thought was his sister. Both events affected him tremendously. In 1973, his childhood bouts with rheumatic fever took a toll and he died at age 37 after heart surgery. Now you have the unique opportunity to revisit Bobby Darin through the talented skills of Chaz Esposito at Branford’s Legacy Theatre in “MACK IS BACK…The Music of Bobby Darin” the weekend of May 26-28, featuring songs and stories about Darin’s life and career. You will also make the acquaintance of his “guys” like Steve Blauner, his long time manager, and the many entertainers like Wayne Newton, whose career he launched when he gave him the song “Danke Schoen” that sent him to stardom. In the year 2000, Esposito determined to devote a full evening to Darin and knew he first had to get the blessing from Blauner and the estate. He flew to California with a script, sang some tunes and won the whole enchilada when he received their blessing. In 15 years, Darin wrote or co-wrote 180 songs and bringing his music and memories to Esposito has been “exciting and fun." When Chaz Esposito isn’t channeling Bobby Darin, he runs World Casting, as a casting director and producer. For decades, he has helped clients find the best talents for their projects. In only 2-3 minutes, he assists clients in selecting actors for commercials. Finding the right person for a role is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. He calls it “a wonderful profession.” For tickets ($45-55), call the Legacy Theatre, 129 Thimble Island Road, Branford at 203-315-1901 or online at www.legacytheatrect.org. Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Masks are optional. Bobby Darin always wanted to be a legend by the age of 25. “My goal is to be remembered as a human being and as a great performer.” Watch Chaz Esposito help guarantee that legacy is fulfilled.