EXPERIENCE “THE FULL MONTY” AT DOWNTOWN CABARET

When the main source of employment in Buffalo, New York, a mill, suddenly closes, the displaced workers experience a variety of emotions: anger, depression, suicide, fear, sadness and anxiety. As the months pass and new employment fails to materialize, their prospects dim and working as a security guard at the local mall looms like a life sentence.

The Downtown Cabaret Main Stage Theatre is offering you a front row seat weekends to join these wannabe workers as they deal with serious problems, like divorce, homosexuality, suicide, impotence, body image and self esteem, in the comedy “The Full Monty” with book by Terrence McNally and music by David Yazbek. Until Sunday, May 19, their lives will literally be laid bare for all the world to see.

For Jerry Lubowski (David Webb), the loss of employment is personally devastating. Divorced from wife Pam (Lauren Bell), he is on the verge of losing custody of his precious son Nathan (Nicholas Ferreira) when he fails to make his support payments. His best friend Dave (Kyle Riedinger) doesn’t know how to explain to his wife (Johnna Fettinger) why he has been so distant in the bedroom while the mill’s former manager Harold (Jim Norton) has been lying to his wife (Margaret Buzak) and telling her that he is still working.

Thsee men with their pals Malcolm (Max Helfand). Ethan (Jeff Jannitto) and Noah (Brendan Garnett) have witnessed the way area women have responded to the club featuring Chippendale dancers and come up with a wild plan. They will learn a dance routine and book a club for one night only and make a fortune. Not only will they strip, but they will go one jock strap further and go “the full monty.”

With Jeanette (Elyse Jasensky) as their muse on the piano, they give the plan their all to surprising results. With musical numbers like “Scrap,” “You Rule My World” and “Breeze Off The River,” the band led by musical director Tom Conroy keeps the spirit bouncing along, while Jennifer Kaye keeps the choreography challenging. Andrea Pane gives the men a healthy dose of heart as they work toward their goal.

For tickets ($37.75 ), call the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport at 203-576-1636 or online atwww.mycabaret.org. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. Remember to bring goodies to share at your table or plan to buy some onsite. The Children’s Theatre is featuring “Snow White.”

Can real men learn a dance routine and expose themselves to the world, trying to move like Michael Jordan and leave all their inhibitions at the door? You’ll just have to buy a ticket and discover the answer for yourself.

“MY NAME IS ASHER LEV” COMPELLING CONFLICT, CHAOS OF CHOICES

 West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park is asking you to take a leap of faith and enter a world that is likely foreign to you. Pease take that leap for there are many rewards to be gained. This is a story of art wrapped in religion, where the conflict is great, a mixture that is not kosher in the most basic of terms.

That struggle between religion and art is personified in the current excellent offering of “My Name is Asher Lev,” by Aaron Posner, adapted from the Chaim Potok novel. It will run until Sunday, May 12.

 A sheltered young man from Brooklyn, a Hasidic Jew who has deep beliefs in God, finds that his wondrous gift as an artist clashes dramatically with his faith and his family’s and community’s feelings.

 Jordan Sobel is sincere and passionate as Asher Lev, the conflicted protagonist who is forced to choose between two loves. He is caught in the world of his ancestors and the observant Jewish community, and especially his own father who does not understand his compulsive need to create and to draw. His parents are threatened by his art, particularly his fascination with Christian symbolism and the representation of the unclothed female form.

 

His father Aryeh, a devoted Dan Shor, has dedicated his life to Jewish causes, traveling to Russia to help better the plight of the Jews trapped there, building yeshivas for study. His mother Rivkah, a compassionate Stefanie Londino has suffered traumatically when her brother is killed doing similar work to her husband’s and she decides, after her deep depression lifts, to go to college so she can continue her brother’s missionary work for the Rebbe.

The play goes back in time to Asher’s childhood, highlighting key moments in his development, when his drawing is as naturaland necessary as his breathing. It focuses on his introduction by the Rebbe to his mentor Jacob Kahn (also portrayed by Dan Shor), the painter, an act that changes his life’s direction. Ultimately Asher must choose one path to travel. He will not apologize for his choices, even if it means a permanent alienation from his family and community. Joseph Discher directs a superb cast of three in this compelling play of anguish and ecstasy.

 

For tickets ($25-40), call the Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900 ext, 10 or online atwww.PlayhouseonPark.org. Performances are Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday often at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and often at 7 p.m.

 

Chaim Potok and Asher Lev celebrate much in common in this autobiographical drama that give Asher credit for painting “Brooklyn Crucifixion,” a masterwork Potok himself created. Both try to correct a world out of balance and try not to tumble into the Sitra Achra, the Other Side where evil lives.

TAKE A BIG BITE OUT OF “WAFFLE HOUSE 5” FOR YUMMY FUN

THE WAFFLE HOUSE CREW PREPARING FOR THEIR DAY WITH SOME GIRL TALK

Who hasn’t fantasized and dreamt big about the chance of winning a lottery, not the $5 quick pick, but the millionaire type of improbability?  What would you buy first?  Would you quit your job?  What family, friends or charities might you support?  There’s no harm in day dreaming, or is there?

Pantochino Productions is once again tickling your fancy with an interesting proposition with their new musical ticket to good fortune “Waffle House 5” playing at the Milford Arts Council at the Railroad Station, 40 Railroad Avenue, Milford weekends until Sunday, May 19.

It may be hard to be cheerful at 5 a.m. but the early morning crew of waitresses and manager at the Waffle House know how to make you feel welcome.  The waffles are fluffy and hot, the coffee strong and the service is special.  Just ask Ned Nickerson (Don Poggio) who comes in most every morning for his friendly fix of food.

Ned even goes so far as to buy Florida lottery tickets to give as “tips” to his favorite morning pals, Angela (Rachelle Ianniello), Matthew (Justin Rugg), Jackie (Shelley Marsh Poggio), Sandra (Maria Berte) and Jaycee Rae (Mary Mannix).  As Miss Lucy (Marci Bing) tells the story, each recipient of a lottery ticket from Ned pledges to share, if we “hit it, we split it.” 

And wouldn’t you know it, one of those magic tickets comes in, to the tune of $10,000,000 which is a mighty fine tune.  And as luck would have it, Jaycee Rae has no memory of making any promises to share.  With her no account red neck hubby Bo (Jimmy Johansmeyer) by her side,  she pleads in court that the source of the winning ticket was not from Ned.

With a bevy of  fun songs, all country western twang,  the group prays to God “to make a millionaire of me” and  chatter up about “Girl Talk.” With lies and cries of fraud, the Waffle House 5 take Jaycee Rae to court to prove her guilt, with Miss Lucy as the presiding judge.  Come see for yourself if the verdict is fair and everyone wins buckets of cash.  Little Anna -May (Peighton Nash),  Matthew’s daughter, just wants a box of Crayola crayons to make her happy, while faithful customers Mason (George Spelvin) and Mavis (Valerie Solli) don’t want to see the Waffle House close.

For tickets ($ 25 ), go online to www.pantochino.com.

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday  at 2 p.m., cabaret style, so bring snacks to share.  Help Pantochino raise funds on The Great Give Wednesday and Thursday May 1 and 2 for 36 hours by going to www.thegreatgive.org.  The goal is to raise $15,000.

Pull up a chair at your favorite breakfast bar, designed by Von Del Mar, with original staging and direction by Bert Bernardi, music by Justin Rugg, costumes by Jimmy Johansmeyer, and order up a steaming plate of crispy waffles and bacon and see if you can win a share of the big pot (the lottery, not the coffee). 

“THE WHO’S TOMMY” A ROCK OPERA TRIUMPH AT SEVEN ANGELS

RJ VERCELLONE AS YOUNG TOMMY AND GARRISON CARPENTER AS ADULT TOMMY
PHOTO BY PAUL ROTH

Even if you are not an opera fan, or into hard rock music, it is worth a trip to Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre to experience their latest offering “The Who’s Tommy” by Des McAnuff and Pete Townsend. Now celebrating fifty years of success, this musical will be playing until Sunday, May 19 and it is disturbing and awesome all at the same time.

The year is 1940 in England and the war is in full swing.  A handsome army officer Captain Walker (Ryan Bauer-Walsh) meets and marries his young bride (Jillian Jarrett), leaving her pregnant when he ships out.  Word soon comes that he is missing in action and unlikely to ever return.

Years later, when their son Tommy is four (RJ Vercellone) and she has rebuilt her life with a new man, the Captain returns.  In anger he attacks his replacement with his gun.   Tommy, who witnesses the terrible crime, is warned by his parents not to speak of what he has seen and heard.  Traumatized, Tommy is essentially now deaf, dumb and blind and no amount of doctors or procedures seem to help.

Tommy is further terrorized by his uncle (Adam Ross Glickman) who abuses him and his cousin (Jackson Mattek) who bullies him, as well as neighboring kids who use him as a play toy.  Now ten (Brendan Reilly), he discovers an aptitude for pinball machines that suddenly makes him a hero and a star.  All along the way the adult Tommy (Garrison Carpenter) serves as narrator and protector for his younger self.

Tommy’s fate swings like a pendulum, from the deepest of despair to the bright lights of idol fame.  Ultimately he uses his family and true friends, like Sally (Rachel Oremland), to secure his balance in life. Janine Molinari choreographs and directs this extraordinary tale that pulsates and probes the psyche. Standout performances are also portrayed by Richie Barella, Keisha Gilles and Will Carey as well as an energetic troupe of ensemble 

dancers.

For tickets ($44-57.50), call the Seven Angles Theatre, 1Plank road, Waterbury at 203-757-4676 or online at www.SevenAngelsTheatre.org.  Performances are Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Come experience a journey of concealment and discovery as Tommy finds his way back to reality and a life.

COME MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF “KING HENRY” AT UCONN

The position of king to a country is a weighty responsibility, even heavier than the crown he wears. Preparing a prince for the monarchy is never easy, especially if the young man in question is so busy exercising his indiscretions and associating with rogues and fools like a Sir John Falstaff, a flagrant example of impropriety.  Such is the youthful fate of Prince Hal, a grave disappointment to his father Henry IV.

To enter into the frivolous life of the monarch-to-be, attend the sterling epic presentation of “King Henry IV”

by William Shakespeare, currently mounting the stage of the Jorgensen Auditorium, courtesy of the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, until Sunday, May 5, on the campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs.

Sebastian Nagpal’s Prince Hal shows the shadow of leadership but is not ready to settle down and assume his role as head of the nation.  He enjoys his days and nights with his unlikely companion Falstaff, an outrageous Michele Tauber, who enjoys playing the fool and buffoon, drinks to excess, exaggerates wildly, plots excessively and lies profusely.  How is the impressionable Prince Hal to resist?

Would you want Falstaff mentoring to your son as he prepares to assume the crown? Can you understand why the King (Aaliyah Habeeb) would feel Hal unworthy? Can Hal throw off his robes of dissolution and be ready to lead his nation, England? 

The play begins with a wonderful look at the relationship of Falstaff and Hal as concerns a highway robbery orchestrated by the rogue and counter manned by his young pledge.  The comic doings are soon abandoned as the world turns serious and enemies appear at the doorstep, lead by a valiant Percy in the person of Erin Cessna, accompanied by Bryan Mittelstadt’s Worchester and Rob Barnes’ Glendower.

Once the King’s lieges, they are now on the other side of the sword and sworn to fight in the battle of Shrewsbury. Greg Webster serves as the fight choreographer against a set designed by Kristen P-E Zarabozo.

Madeline Sayet directs this epic three hour history play that probes relationships and rising to expectations in the face of necessity. For tickets ($31-35, student $10),
call 860-486-2113 or online at www.crt.uconn.edu.

Performances are Wednesday and 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 how Prince Hal assumes an air of dignity and rises to the challenge of becoming the man his father desperately needs him to be.

“COME FROM AWAY” WONDERFULLY CLOSE AT HAND IN HARTFORD

Musicals have untraditionally been created to mark the strangest events, like the sinking of the Titanic, the men and women who have tried and often succeeded in assassinating presidents, spelling bees, flying cars, elves, groundhogs, missionaries for the Mormons, Superman and Spiderman, African animals, mental illness, monsters named Shrek, urine, and many more.

This time around the focus and attention is fixated on five days and some of the worst events in our country’s history, the destruction of towering buildings in New York City and government structures in Washington, D. C. on 9/11/2001. Ten years later husband and wifeDavid Hein and Irene Sankoff traveled to Gander, Newfoundland to record the amazing story of a humanitarian miracle. Without warning on that fateful day, 38 planes from all over the world were diverted to Gander, once a major stop for refueling for international flights, but long since abandoned as planes no longer needed to stop for more gas.

The almost 6700 passengers on the planes, the pilots and the people of Gander had no idea what was happening. Without warning or preparation, the good citizens of the small town rushed to open their homes and hearts to those strangers, providing baby formula, dog food, pillows and blankets, casseroles, a place to sleep and comfort before the tragedy was even revealed.

Run to the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts for a marvelous musical that captures the generosity of this small community of Canadians from Tuesday, April 30 to Sunday, May 5 as “Come From Away” soars into Hartford.

The planes were originally diverted for fear some were also part of the terrorist plot, like the plane that crashed in a Pennsylvania forest. The 11,000 citizens of Gander didn’t stop to ask questions. The striking bus drivers immediately returned to work to ferry the passengersaround town. Twelve actors and seven musicians will take you on the journey of generosity, playing the passengers, pilots and people of Gander to musically illustrate the way good folks can respond with hope in the midst of devastating tragedy. 

Come visit the dog catcher, the mayor, the chief of police, the first female pilot to command a major airline jumbo jet, a woman who fears her fireman son has been lost in the downing of the World Trade Center, a gay couple searching for acceptance, two strangers who find each other and romance and so much more.

This is a musical happening, brimming with spirit and patriotism, a tribute to faith and resilience, a gift of compassion in the face of tremendous loss. I was fortunate enough to see the birth of “Come From Away”

at the Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals when the first staged reading took place and also attend the Broadway production the day Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau brought 500 of his people to see the show in New York on Canada’s 150^th birthday. 

For tickets ($23-109), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online atwww.bushnell.org. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m.,Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 

This is not a show to be missed. If nothing else, it will restore your faith in the innate goodness of neighbors to reach out and hug you with friendship and love.

ELI WHITNEY MUSEUM FUNDRAISER HIDING BEHIND A MASK

 YELLOW-BILLED STORK BY PENRHYN AND ROD COOK

What greater image of mystery and mystic is there than a mask? To disguise, to tantalize, to camouflage, to intrigue, to hide, to transform, a mask is guilty of all these pleasures and plottings. For the 25^thyear, the Eli Whitney Museum is staging its famous Leonardo Challenge, an artistic and creative fundraiser to encourage a new generation of students to open their minds to exploration through experimentation and hands on workshops all year long.

 

On Thursday, April 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., you are invited to experience ”Mask and Metaphor” at the Eli Whitney Museum, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. In years past, one hundred artists from all across the country have been asked to create a painting, jewelry, a child’s game, a piece of furniture, a mobile, a wall hanging, an article of clothing, in fact anything they desire to capture Leonardo’s incredible imagination. Over the years, these artists have worked with playing cards, keys, mirrors, knots, brushes, numbers, rulers, checkers and more. This year masks are the objets d’art.

 

Leonardo da Vinci was noted to be a scientist, architect, inventor, painter, musician, engineer, mathematician, sculptor, historian,a truly original Renaissance man. This inventiveness has provided fuel for the Eli Whitney’s tradition of challenges.The word is that next year, #26, will be dedicated to Letters, as in the alphabet, but don’t tell anyone quite yet.

 

According to Sally Hill, the museum’s Associate Director and Designer, who every year creates the clever theme and invitation, “We hope our artist’s entries will delve into the deeper meanings of masks, the metaphorical aspects. These will not be the masks you don for Halloween.” She anticipates that many will be “wall pieces” as opposed to art you can wear. “We all wear masks, to hide or to enhance. Hats are masks and there are even groups in Africa who are identified by their hair styles, their individual masks.” Hill wants artists to “stretch“ their imaginations, even though she herself will fashion a lamp as she does every year.“We want people not to think of this event as a masquerade but to come and look at the fun and great artwork.”So far, she has received entries from Penrhyn and Rod Cook, a Yellow-Billed Stork, Skull: A Mask for Yorick by Michael and Anna Lombardo, Wooden sculpture: Protectress by Susan Clinard, Bowl: A Bowl in a Bowl Masked by a Bowl by Michael Bower, Metal bowl: "The Mirror" by Moussa Gueye, and Wooden sculpture: Boared? by Mike Dunn.

As if the artwork were not enough, the evening starts outside with a visit to the Big Green Truck Pizza courtesy of Doug Coffin, while inside the hall you’ll find a groaning table of breads from Whole G’s artisan bakers, savory organic entrees from Karen Lenahan at Small Kitchen Big Taste, drink Koffee Cocktails, sample treasures from the Fromagerie at Olmo and drink your fill of brew at Black Hog Brewery, plus fine wine and spirits and a host of delicious desserts.

 

For tickets ($75, with patron opportunities from $250-$5000), call the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop at 203-777-1833 or online at www.eliwhitney.org.

 

Even though the history of masks date back up to 40,000 years ago, discover much more modern interpretations, artistically and metaphorically, courtesy of the Eli Whitney Museum on Thursday, April 25.