“AS YOU LIKE IT” A MERRY ROMP THROUGH THE FOREST

       
   

Combine fireflies, a summer breeze, a grassy knoll, a starry sky and a touch of fairy dust  and you’ll have the perfect setting for 
Shakespeare on the Sound in Rowayton's delightful production of “As You Like It,” a play about love set in the Forest of Arden.  With the lovely outdoor location of the Pinkney Park as its stage, the production transports the audience into a magical place until Sunday, June 30, on an intricate parquet floor staged by Brian Prather.
   
Artistic director Claire Shannon Kelly has also performed a little legerdemain of her own by relocating the characters into the modern day with references to cell phones and e-mails so flower children dressed in a festival of white roam in the merry woods.  Two sweet and pretty cousins Rosalind (Katie Wieland) and Celia (Medina Senghore) have been unjustly banished to the forest by Celia’s father Duke Frederick (Andy Baldeschwiler) and go to seek Rosalind’s father Duke Senior (Andy Baldeschwiler) who has also felt Frederick’s wrath and lost his estates.  The innocent girls are accompanied by Touchstone (David Gautschy), the court jester, who is determined to protect them as well as entertain them.
   
Once in the Forest of Arden, Rosalind disguises herself as a lad Ganymede.  In that guise, she rediscovers Orlando (Chris Ghaffari), a youth who fell in love with her while in Frederick’s court.  Nor recognizing her, Orlando uses Ganymede to practice on with his poems of love for Rosalind.  Meanwhile Touchstone gets giddy with the shepherd girl Audrey (Paula Galloway), the maiden Phoebe (Iris McQuillan-Grace) is actively pursued by Silvius (Matthew Dalton Lynch) and even Celia finds romance in the unlikely arms of Oliver (Daniel Levitt), Orlando’s not-so-nice brother.
  
 An added bonus to the production is the music and dance that is injected  in traditional troubadour style.
  
 Performances are free, although donations are invited.  Shows are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday - Sunday, weather permitting. Picnics are encouraged and  blankets and beach chairs can be brought.  The Pickney Park  is off exit 11 of  I-95.  For information, email www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

Discover the madness of love in all its varied complexions as traitors and teasers and poets and fools roam the pastoral pleasure filled Forest of Arden.

LOTS OF FUNNY THINGS HAPPEN ON THE WAY TO UCONN

As farces go, this is one of the funniest.  It’s silliness on parade, in this case around and about the streets of ancient Rome.  A slave named Pseudolus, wonderfully captured in the antics of Steven Hayes, desperately wants to win his freedom and so he concocts a convoluted plot by helping his young master Hero (Adam Maggio) win the affections of the lovely girl next door.

The object of Hero’s affections is the beautiful virgin Philia ( Amandina Altomare) who resides at a house of ill repute, awaiting marriage to the dashing but vain Captain Miles Gloriosus (Colby Lewis) who has paid in advance for his bride.

Hold on to your laurel wreaths, as the Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, until Sunday, June 30.

The streets of ancient Rome run amok with a flood of laughter as Pseudolus devises a detailed scheme to obtain his goal of independence.  Complications swirl as Hero’s father Senex (Dirk Lumbard) mistakes Philia for his new maid, Marcus Lycus (Tim Murray) the keeper of the bawdy house, fears for his life if he doesn’t honor the Captain’s contract and an old man Erronius (Brandon Beaver) continues his search for his long lost son and daughter, stolen in infancy by pirates.

Disguises and mistaken identities abound as well as finely conceived lies, plagues and potions, soothsayers and signet rings, undead corpses and general mayhem.  Hysteria erupts when Hysterium, (Bradford Scobie) the chief slave of the house of Senex, is reluctantly pulled into the madcap machinations by Pseudolus and Senex’s ogre of a wife Domina (Ariana Shore) unexpectedly returns home because of her suspicious nature. The three Proteans (Conor Donnally, Coles Prince and Chester Martin) act like a trio of Stooges and Madelyn Shaffer, Annie Wallace, Claire Saunders, Alanna Saunders, Briana Maia and James Jelkin provide a bevy of beauty as the courtesans of the house of Marcus Lycus.

Great music like “Comedy Tonight,” “Lovely,” “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid,” “I’m Calm” and “Impossible” propel the action in the desired direction.

Vincent J. Cardinal directs and choreographs this fun romp on a colorful set conceived by Michael Anania, with a rainbow hue of costumes by Lisa Loen.

For tickets ($10-45), call the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Jorgensen Theatre on the campus of the University of Connecticut at 860-486-2113 or online at www.crt.uconn.edu.  Performances are Tuesday at 7:30 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..

Watch Pseudolus, the master of trickery, connive his way to a status of free man by manipulation and clever and comic scheming.  You’ll laugh all the way to the forum and back home again.

"THE ANDREWS BROTHERS" WELCOME THE TROOPS

                  KAITE CORDA AS PEGGY JONES RALLIES THE TROOPS

Wave the American flag for patriotism and mom's apple pie as "The Andrews Brothers" come to a USO near you. Yes, that's the Andrews Brothers and it's not a misprint.  The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin is harkening back to World War II, specifically to the South Pacific in 1945 when entertaining the troops was a priority.

Weekends until Saturday, July 27, you're invited to cheer on this red, white and blue sparkler of a musical, written by Roger Bean, directed and produced by Kris McMurray and musically directed by Pawel Jura.

Kaite Corda's Peggy Jones is stuffed with enthusiasm and good spirits in her quest to make the soldiers on base feel appreciated.  After all, they're shipping out tomorrow and she feels responsible for making their last evening a memorable one.

When her back-up singers fail to arrive, she reluctantly accepts the help of a trio of stagehands who are star struck and want to perform, even though their prior experience wouldn't fill a bucket of soap suds.

With skill and finesse, Peggy teaches her willing pupils the words and dance routines to such numbers as "Rosie the Riveter," "Breathless," "Mairzy Doats" and "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive." They go over the top with tunes with a distinctly Hawaiian flavor, from "Hawaiian War Chant" to "Hula Ba Luau" to "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar."  Believe me, those little grass skirts really sway.

When the headline act of The Andrews Sisters bails on Peggy, due to a case of the chicken pox, she chooses the only reasonable option.  To not disappoint the military, she takes Erik Bloomquist's Patrick and makes him Patty, Kevin Ladd's Max morphs into Maxine and she encourages Seth Price's Lawrence into becoming Laverne.  As "gals," these guys deliver such gems as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Shoo-Shoo Baby," "Stuff Like That There" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree."  They hit a home run when they "enlist" two guys from the audience to belt out "Six Jerks in a Jeep," complete with sound effects.  As a morale booster and a salute to flag wavers everywhere, the show will get you right in the spirit for the Fourth of July!

For tickets ($30), call the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre, 31-33 Webster Square Road, Berlin at 860-829-1248 or online at www.ctcabaret.com.
Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15 p.m.  Bring your own goodies to enjoy at your table or purchase desserts at the canteen on site.  This is Connecticut Cabaret's 16th season providing local talent with a welcoming stage presence.

Let Peggy, Patrick, Max and Larry entertain you and the troops in this firecracker of a show.

LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS A "CABARET"

        THE EMCEE AND THE KIT KAT KLUB GIRLS, PHOTO BY RICH WAGNER


Once you enter the doors of Berlin's den of iniquity, the Kit Kat Klub, you leave your troubles outside and party non-stop. Dancing as fast as you can and drinking to excess, with inhibitions forgotten, your concerns will soon evaporate in a haze of sexual gratification.  With the superb encouragement of the Master of Ceremonies, you are welcomed in to a strange and intoxicating atmosphere where the real world and its problems vanish completely.

The place is Berlin, Germany and the time is 1929 as Hitler wields a terrifying power over his Nazi party.  Let Brendan Norton as the ingratiating emcee issue you an invitation to join the "Cabaret," courtesy of West Hartford's Playhouse on Park until Sunday, July 21 for an outstanding production that captures the decadence of the era in astonishing accuracy.

Pre-World War II Germany has been transformed by John Masteroff's book, John Kander's music and Fred Ebb's lyrics into a thoroughly depraved menagerie of sexual pleasures wrapped in a sensual dance.  The Toast of Mayfair, Fraulein Sally Bowles, is brought to vivacious life by Erin Lindsey Krom, as the headline act of the Kit Kat Klub.

Just as her luck seems to be turning badly, Sally latches on to Clifford Bradshaw, a new arrival in the city, a struggling author from America eager to write a novel that captures the times.  Jake Loewenthal's Cliff is an innocent, who is quickly corrupted by Sally and by a prominent citizen Ernst Ludwig (Conor Hamill) who conveniently conceals his membership in the Nazi party.

While the signs of impending doom are evident to anyone brave enough to look, Sally refuses to part with her rose colored glasses.  The dangers to people of the Jewish faith like Herr Schultz (Damian Buzzerio) and his intended bride Fraulein Schneider (Kathleen Huber) are soon too obvious to ignore.  Even Fraulein Kost (Ashley Ford) finds her profession as prostitute impacted by the difficult storm brewing.  Sean Harris skillfully and imaginatively directs this musical, that is packed with a stirring array of outstanding numbers.

For tickets ($22.50-32.50), call Playhouse on Park, 244  Park Road, West Hartford at 860- 523-5900 ex. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org.  Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Scrap off the glitz, glamor and glitter on the surface of the Kit Kat Klub and discover that all is not beautiful, no matter how convincingly the emcee tries to make you believe it is so.

bonnie goldberg

"THE SHOW-OFF" IS ACTING OUT IN WESTPORT

THE SHOW-OFF AUBREY PIPER AND HIS CHIEF FAN AMY FISHER


If love is truly blind, then Amy Fisher should employ the services of a seeing eye dog.  Her affection for her suitor Aubrey Piper defies reason.  The family Fisher, sans Amy, sees Aubrey for what he is: a brash, narcissistic, self-centered, pompous and pretentious fellow.  His greatest skill is his ability to lie, to himself and to the world.  While Amy swallows his fabrications as gospel truths, her mother Josie has no rose colored glasses in sight.  She will tolerate none of his prevarications and she uses the sword of Zorro to slice him down to size.

To become intimately acquainted with the gentleman in question, with all his peculiarities and peccadilloes, waltz over to the Westport Country Playhouse until Saturday, June 29 for a peek at George Kelly's 1924 gift to American comedy "The Show-Off."

Will Rogers embodies the role of Aubrey Piper with a skillful gift of gab that is delightfully annoying to witness.  His charms would be rejected by a snake oil salesman as too repugnant to be believed, but he has one faithful admirer in Clea Alsip's Amy.

On the other side of this fan club is the opposition headed by Amy's stalwart mother Josie, formidable in the hands of Jayne Houdyshell.  With her are her daughter Clara, a sensible Mia Barron and her generous husband, a forgiving Robert Eli, Josie's husband, a hard working Adam Lefevre and her son Joe, an inventive Karl Baker Olson.

With his straw hat firmly anchored and a cane he twirls skillfully, Aubrey is a showman who adores the sound of his own impressive voice.  As if his words were not enough to put you off his game, Aubrey creates a series of actions that defy believability, chalking up debits on his scorecard. Yet in the end, might not Aubrey get the last, best laugh? Nicholas Martin directs this three ring circus with a deft hand, on a detailed dining room set designed by Alexander Dodge.

For tickets ($30 and up), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport, off route 1, at 203-227-4177 or 888-927-7529 or online at www.westportplayhouse.org.  Performances are Tuesday at 8 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.

Let Aubrey Piper ply his boastful banter with a thick paint brush stroke until the moment when his masterpiece of artwork is finally unveiled.  Behold this Picasso at work.

BARBRA AND FRANK IN CONCERT AT LAST

Imagine for a moment the sensational singing spectacular that would have occurred if Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra ever performed in concert together, on the same stage , on the same night.  It never happened.  But if it did, it might be billed as "The Concert That Never Was!" and the Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret is making it happen.

Hang on to your bobby socks as Sharon Owens as the magical Barbra and Sebastian Anzaldo as the inimitable Frank take the stage for three performances only, Friday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 29 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

These artists will pay tribute and give homage with all the memorable music that highlights their careers.  Sharon Owens has a legion of fans since winning as Barbra on the television show "Performing As..." while Sebastian Anzaldo learned early on in life that he has a unique ability to "do Frank."  With his band "Wild Life," he has earned the title of being one of the best "Sinatra interpreters" in the country.

Called vintage Las Vegas when they put on their star power show, this dynamic duo will croon all the tunes they pushed to the top of the Hit Parade.  Among the songs, you may hear might be "The Way We Were," "Smile," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," "I Finally Found Someone," "Evergreen," "Being Alive," "Women in Love," "Papa, Can You Hear Me," "Memory," "Don't Rain on My Parade," "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon," "New York, New York," "The Way You Look Tonight," "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "Come Fly with Me." "That's Life," "The Lady is a Tramp," "They Can't Take that Away From Me" and "I've Got You Under My Skin."

Whatever the tunes, you know they will be great listening enjoyment.  Sharon Owens has been called "the real deal" and "a dead ringer," even with the distinctive nose to go with the incredible voice.  Sebastian Anzaldo has been touted as the "essence of 'Ol Blue Eyes," a tribute artist without parallel.

For tickets ($39-47), call the Downtown Cabaret, 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport at 203-576-1636 or online at www.downtowncabaret.org.

Ironically, this might be a great time to investigate a new play by Jonathan Tolins entitled "Buyer and Cellar," about a mythical struggling actor hired to shepherd visitors around the mall in the basement of Barbra Streisand's home in Malibu.  It's stuffed with all of her famous collections, from dolls to costumes to antiques.  The street of shops is real, the actor/employee is not.  It opens this week at New York's Barrow Street Theater starring Michael Urie.

Let Sharon Owens as Barbra and Sebastian Anzaldo as Frank perform their Las Vegas style show that pays tribute to two of the biggest and brightest stars on the Hollywood firmament, Streisand and Sinatra.

“SOUTH PACIFIC” SOARS INTO NEW CANAAN

Picture swaying palm trees, soft island breezes, coral dotted sands, lush green mountains, bouquets of  tropical blossoms and endless Pacific ocean waves and you will be set to experience the enchanting production of "South Pacific" until Saturday, July 13, courtesy of Summer Theatre of New Canaan.  This classic musical is a splendid way to spend a summer evening under the stars.

In 1949, three short stories of James Michener, taken from his Pulitzer prize-winning novel “Tales of the South Pacific,” were transformed into a musical called by many the finest ever composed for the stage.  Two serious stories about couples whose love is threatened by the war and by their own prejudices were balanced by a third story about Luther Billis, a womanizing but lovable sailor, to provide comic relief.

The result was “South Pacific,” a royal treat by Rodgers and Hammerstein, with book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan that has been revised and enhanced six decades later with its themes of racial prejudice strengthened and sensitized for today’s audiences. 

The primary story swirls around a middle-aged French plantation owner Emile de Becque, brought to charming and romantic life by Daniel Klein,  who meets a naïve young United States Navy nurse from Arkansas, Nellie Forbush, an engagingly sweet Tiffan Borelli, at an officers’ club dance and they fall in love “one enchanted evening.”  The second story involves United States Marine Lieutenant Joe Cable, a strong and committed Jason Michael Evans, who comes to the island to carry out a dangerous spy mission and becomes infatuated with Liat, a Tonkinese girl, played by a lovely Kim Wong.  Both Nellie and Cable experience bigotry and suffer from deep-seated prejudices, feelings that are revealed in the telling song “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught.”

Some of the other beautiful tunes that have come out of this production include “This Nearly Was Mine,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Bali Ha’i,”

“Younger Than Springtime” and “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy,” as well as the light hearted “Happy Talk,” “Bloody Mary,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “There is Nothing Like a Dame” and “Honey Bun.”

While the play deals with World War II and the conflict in the Pacific against the Japanese as well as the reactions in the United States, some of the production’s lighter moments are provided by Luther Billis as an entrepreneurial sort who finds himself in a new world and tries to make the best of it, even if it involves bending the rules.  He epitomizes the great American ethic of inventiveness based on necessity, providing services to relieve his men’s boredom and loneliness. Believing in the greater good, Luther is ready and able to meet his sailors’s needs, be it for a laundry service, island trinkets or female companionship. Nick Reynolds brings this role to comic life.

Also outstanding in her part is Janelle Robinson as Bloody Mary, who like Luther is trying to earn a good living by being enterprising as well as finding a suitable husband for her daughter Liat.  She focuses on Joe Cable as being the right man.

 Christian Camporin and Dillon Mims share the role of Emile's son Jerome while Cristina I. Ferreira and Neha Lyer both play Ngana. Allegra Libonati directs a large and talented cast in this wonderful production.

For tickets ($37 and up), call Summer Theatre of New Canaan at 203-966-4634 or online at boxoffice@stonc.org.  Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. at Waveny Park, 11 Farm Road, New Canaan at the high school entrance.

The summer schedule also includes "Grease," "The Little Mermaid," "The Cat in the Hat" and "Pinkalicious The Musical."

Start off your summer on a high note, beautifully sung, by attending a performance of "South Pacific," a universal favorite in the world of musical theater.