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.