LYRIC HALL IN NEW HAVEN PRESENTS "MR. WONDERFUL" A TRIBUTE TO SAMMY DAVIS JR.

When you hear songs like “Mr. Bojangles” and “The Candy Man,” who comes to mind immediately but the iconic and ground breaking multi-talented entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. His memorable music will echo in our hearts forever and you have the unique opportunity to welcome him back, in all his illuminating glory, for one day only, Saturday, September 26 at 3 p.m and 8 p.m., at Lyric Hall, 827 Whalley Avenue, in the Westville section of New Haven. Back in the day, Lyric Hall was originally, from 1913 to about 1920, a vaudeville and silent film house.

Grab hold of this exciting chance, as if it is the golden ticket on the merry-go-round, to see and hear Solomon Kee, theater performer, singer and dancer, bring Sammy Davis Jr. back to life in his extraordinary original show “A Night with Mr. Wonderful - The Sammy Davis Jr. Spectacular.” In 2011, Solomon Kee was a last minute replacement in a production called “Fly Me to the Moon.” In doing his research for the role, he developed a keen connection with the star, admiring Davis’s artistry, life and resilience, resulting in his personal passion to keep Davis’s memory and legacy alive.

The title of his show refers to a Broadway musical “Mr. Wonderful” in 1956, attributed to Sammy's father and showcases his talents as a comedian, singer, instrumentalist and tap dancer. Now return to the 1960’s and 1970’s and discover how Sammy was an activist breaking down racial barriers all the while becoming a primary member of Frank Sinatra’s legendary Rat Pack as well as earning the coveted title “The Greatest Living Entertainer in the World.”

According to this Waterbury native, "I first developed 'A Night With Mr. Wonderful' back in 2011 to celebrate Sammy's unmatched musicianship, but over the years, the piece evolved into something much deeper. Sammy broke down doors in a divided America while giving audiences pure magic every night. Bringing his full story—the triumphs, the struggles, and the timeless joy of his music—to the stage is my way of keeping his extraordinary legacy alive.”

For tickets ($35 general admission and $50 VIP admission with dinner), go to tixfox.co/e/rTdZ3MTXbX.

Let Solomon Kee invite you to get up close and personal with his good friend Sammy as he takes the stage of Lyric Hall in a brilliant performance and tribute.

"THE ODD COUPLE" PAIRS HUMOROUSLY AT BRANFORD'S LEGACY THEATRE

Can a man who serves his poker buddies a choice of green or brown sandwiches with warm Coke find happiness with a man who trims the crust from his lightly toasted b.l.t. creations, accompanied by a cold beer? The answer is a Duncan Hines Unseal of Approval, but Oscar Madison and Felix Unger, both divorced friends, give it an Olympic try.

Oscar Madison is sloppy and scattered and wallows in a pigpen of an apartment, all eight rooms of it. Felix Unger is fastidious and organized and a fussy compulsive neatnik. What brings both men together under one roof is the genius of Neil Simon and his classic comedy “The Odd Couple.”

Delight in watching the Legacy Theatre of Branford bring this pigpen of humor to the stage, now extended until Sunday, October 11. Turn the clocks back to 1966 and sit down at the poker game where Felix Unger, immaculately portrayed, with buttoned down perfection, by Erik Bloomquist lands on the doorstep of his good friend Oscar Madison, comfortably and casually expressed in a teddy bear persona by Ben Pitts. When Felis announces his wife Frances has asked him to leave home permanently, Oscar proposes he move in to prevent Felix’s suicide threats from becoming real. Both men are clearly having fun with their on stage bantering and so does the audience.

What seems on the surface to be ideal, with Felix sharing 50% of the costs and 100% of the housekeeping duties, so Oscar can finally catch up on his child support payments, soon turns into an ugly war of Pledge and Lysol. All the “improvements” which Felix has wrought turn into “annoyances” for Oscar to find fault with and complain about and become reasons enough to drive each other crazy. When Oscar calls Felix’s ladle a spoon, it’s a cause for a duel at high noon.

The weekly poker game with Speed (Stephen Depasque), Murray (Neil Fuentes), Roy (Max Evans) and Vinnie (Dominic Paolillo) soon bites the dust, if there were any dust. The Pigeon sisters are adorably supportive in the hands of Penny Amara and Desi Amato and give the bachelors new material to argue about with delightful consequences and crying towels. Jamie Burnett’s apartment set is a great location for the domestic quarrels. Eric Santagata directs this fussing, fighting and feuding feast of fun.

For tickets ($41.50-66.50), call the Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Island, Branford at 203 -315-1901 or online at LegacyTheatreCT.org. Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Check in with Oscar and Felix before Felix has a nervous breakdown or Oscar kills him as they drive each other crazy in the name of brotherhood, bachelorhood and friendship.

ENTER THE COURTROOM WITH LONG WHARF'S NEW, POWERFUL "THE FORD/HILL PROJECT"

Like a verbal fisticuffs with words instead of boxing gloves, “The Ford/Hill Project” is a confrontation that can literally and figuratively knock you off your feet. The energy and emotion of MaYaa Boateng’s Anita Hill and Christina Kirk’s Christine Blasey Ford are powerful messengers as these two brave women give up their private lives to go pubic to right a wrong before decisions are put into law.

In a new theatrical production created by Elizabeth Marvel and Lee Sunday Evans, and directed by Lee Sunday Evans, Long Wharf Theatre is presenting a unique opportunity to witness the Supreme Court nominations for approval of Amara James Aja’s Clarence Thomas and Roderick Hill’s Brett Cavanaugh with performances September 19-20 at Quinnipiac University Theater and September 25-27 at Southern CT State University’s Garner Recital Hall. in collaboration with Waterwell and in partnership with Quinnipic University, this documentary also includes a talk back and a Decompression Space, both with staffed mental health experts for the audience’s well being directly after the performance. This coveted space for these austere conversations are now open to you to hear the exact testimonies, told as an interplay of words by all the participants, recreating the tensions and antagonisms that occurred thirty years apart, as two women stood tall to accuse in court the nominees and expose their past behavior that disqualified them for public office on the highest court in the land.

Just like a preacher at a wedding could announce “if you have any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now,” Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford stood up to state their personal cases, refusing to stay silent without giving their testimony. And they were both vilified for their courage as Brett Cavanaugh and Clarence Thomas were approved, their damaging pasts ignored.

Come yourself and judge their credibility, and hear Clarence Thomas call them “lies” and a “travesty” as he denied any charges of sexual harassment, never threatening her job while Brett Cavanaugh confessed to liking his beer but not to almost raping Christine at a party where she feared for her life. Cavanaugh accused her of being false in one thing and false in everything. He called her “evil.” To these men, their accusers were creating a circus, a lynching, a charade, an unethical sham.

For the women, they were righting a wrong, coming forward to encourage other women to do the same, to acknowledge the most difficult experiences of their lives, even if it meant risking their own dignity. These women were pioneers, exposing their personal pain in a privileged world of white powerful men, to inspire the “Me, Too” movement and expose the Jeffrey Epsteins of this world. Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford were noble, calling out the “office wolves” by revealing their personal traumatic experiences.

For tickets ($55, college student $15, K-12 free, limited Pay What You Can ), call the box office at 203-693-1486 or online at longwharf.org.

Stand up and be counted, stand up and vote. Do not stay silent and help to change the world.

WORLD PREMIERE OF "THE SNOW GOOSE" SOARS MAGNIFICENTLY INTO GOODSPEED MUSICALS

If you love animals and musicals, prepare to be amazed by Goodspeed Musicals' latest gift to the theatrical community, a tavern yarn set in England just prior to World War II. Based on a novella by Paul Gallico penned in 1941, “The Snow Goose” tells the bittersweet story of a young girl, a teen named Frith, sensitively portrayed by Ashlyn Maddox, who finds a wounded snow goose imaginatively created by master puppeteer Leah Hofmann and her two “wing" friends. It soars with spirit until Sunday, October 18 and it should not be missed.

Despite her friends Wilf (Charlie Webb), Clara (Ayanna Nicole Thomas) and Farley (Gabriel Marcus Omlor), Frith turns to a disabled and feared artist Philip who lives alone in a lighthouse, cloaked in his own loneliness, and called a freak and a monster by the villagers. Philip, a friendless recluse Eric Raise, initially refuses Frith’s request for help to heal the wounded goose. Ultimately the incredible goose honks her way into his long frozen heart.

The pair name the goose Princess and proceed to heal her while they heal themselves. Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie have created a beautiful story of the redemptive qualities of kindness, friendship and love that is guaranteed to touch your heart. Sam Sherwood is the Bard, the troubadour who sings their story while Amy Hillner Larsen, Ally Bonino and David Aron Damane play Frith’s concerned guardian, choral leader and another villager.

As Princess returns every year from Canada to England’s shores, this folk tale becomes increasingly involving, with their relationship at stake in the midst of an active conflict: war. Marshall Pailet directs this musical with energy and emotion, with choreography by Misha Shields and musical direction by Adam Souza. This project was an act of love for Goodspeed Musical’s Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton who oversaw each feather and honk with concern and care, to make this world premiere so special.

For tickets ($35-103), call Goodspeed Musicals, 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 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.

“The Snow Goose” is an unforgettable theatrical triumph. It will fly into your heart and soar into infinity with the power of friendship and love and forgiveness. Learn bravery with each wonderful honk of the snow goose.

SOAR TO SHARON FOR A REDEMPTIVE MUSICAL "COME FROM AWAY"

Welcome to the Rock! Greetings from Gander, Newfoundland, where the river meets the sea, on the edge of the world, at the tip of the North Atlantic. Twenty five years ago, this remote area of Canada, on the ninth day of September, in the year 2001, experienced a strange and frightening peculiarity, when 38 planes from all over the globe landed without ceremony or explanation or apparent cause, with almost 7000 passengers, and surprised the villagers who were clearly not expecting them.

How these Canadians opened their homes and hearts is the story told as a powerful musical in “Come From Away,” a magnificent and redemptive true tale by husband and wife David Hein and Irene Sankoff on the tenth anniversary of its momentous terrorist occurrence. The 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. They recorded the amazing story of a humanitarian miracle. Gander had long since been abandoned as planes no longer needed to stop there to refuel.

Without warning or preparation, the good citizens of this small town rushed to help 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 Sharon Playhouse for a marvelous musical that captures the generosity of this small community until Sunday, September 27. 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 passengers around 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.

The wonderful cast includes Max Bennett-Parker, Jeffrey Konowitch, Erin Lindsey Krom, Meagan Lewis-Michelson, Cherish Love, Willie Marte, Michael F. McGuirk, Tracy Liz Miller, Sophie Nassiri, Chelsie Nectow, Ricky Oliver and Cameron Sirian. The orchestra led by Eric Thomas Johnson includes Cat Saxofone, Jane Bearden, Steve Siktberg, Mike Lee, Eric Wagner, and Alec Sisco.

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. This wonderful production is directed by Hunter Foster, with energetic choreography by Krystyna Resavy.

For tickets ($25-55), call the Sharon Playhouse, 49 Amenia Road, Sharon at 860-364-SHOW or online at SharonPlayhousel.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 3 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.

HEARTFELT "HARMONY" WITH MUSICAL MESSAGE AT MUSIC THEATRE OF CT

The world does not easily learn the lessons of history and we are often doomed to repeat our mistakes and to not see the realities of what is happening right around us. The signs of evil are evident and we close our eyes to the danger. A new musical with an original score by Barry Manilow and book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman is making its Connecticut Professional Regional Premiere at Norwalk’s intimate Music Theatre of Connecticut in “Harmony" until Sunday, September 27 and it is a powerful and majestic true tale and message we all need to heed as well as enjoy. it has been called “impossible to forget.”

Two Rabbis tell the story, the younger an idealistic Constantine Pappas and the elder a tested and true Frank Mastrone. And what a story it is. It is the late 1920s Berlin and a musical genius named Harry (Jeff Raab) wants to create a unique band like one he admired in America and so he held auditions. He was fortunate to find a doctor who couldn’t stomach blood named Erich ( Cameron Edris), a honky tonk piano player named Irwin who preferred the moniker Chopin (Michael Alonzo), a guy with a resume as a bass comic opera star Bobby (Dominic Pagliaro), an unhappy waiter ready for a challenge Lesh (Christian Libonati) and, finally, Joseph a cantor’s son from Poland studying to be a Rabbi (Constantine Pappas). These six song and dance men soon became "hotter than horseradish.” They were three Jews and three Gentiles, one of whom fell in love with a Jewish activist Ruthie (Michelle Pauker). Calling themselves The Comedian Harmonists, their amazing sound and humor and personalities soon made them an international sensation, making films, touring Europe and even performing at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Their allegiance to their homeland of Germany made them immune to the threatening echoes to their lives. The Rabbi fell in love with Mary (Jazmin Gorsline) who promised to convert to Judaism when they married and Chopin who gave his heart to Ruth. The rise and control of the Nazis shook their world and caused them to question all that they held dear. Suddenly their world was uninviting and filled with dangers. Songs like “And What Do You See?.” and “Every Single Day” took on new meaning as change reared its ugly head and a tune like “This Is Our Time” temporarily rallied their group. The humor of their international conflict surfaced in “Your Son Is Becoming a Singer!” One moment the singers are considered an asset to the Nazi cause as “ambassadors” and the next moment they are called traitors. Are they able to escape before they are arrested, interrogated, punished and deported?

Kevin Connors directs this involving true story that will grab your heart and not let go. Others in this excellent cast include Helen Clare, Quinlyn Kessler, Matt Mancuso, Robert Peterpaul, and Joseph Torello. For years, decades, their story was lost but now you have the incredible opportunity to help bring it into the light and bathe in its illumination again. Don’t miss this chance to grab hope and the love and friendship these men exemplify. For tickets ($51-74 plus fees), call Music Theatre of CT, route 1, 509 Westport Avenue, Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or online at admin@musictheatreofct.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Let “Harmony" educate you about this amazing six man vocal sextet who despite one of the darkest periods in the world’s history managed to make their music illuminate the darkness like “Stars In The Night."

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE OFFERS ONE DAY TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

The Fab Six is gathering for one night only, Thursday, September 10 at 7 p.m., to pay tribute and salute the music, iconic and incredible, of the Fab Four at Westport Country Playhouse. Get ready for a fun evening of song for Come Together: The Playhouse Sings the Beatles! as their classic tunes light up the stage and you can be there to help them sing up a storm.

Heading the celebratory team is Music Director Drew Wutke leading a sensational live band and some of the playhouse’s top notch favorite performers: Matt DeAngelis, Apollo Levine, Carla R. Stewart, KJ Hipppensteel, and Brooke Jacob. Tunes like “Help!.” ”I Want to Hold Your Hand,” ‘Hey, Jude,” "Something,” and “Let It Be” will fill the air with nostalgic joy, plus so many more memorable hits. In addition to being a well respected musical director, Drew Wutke is a vocal coach and piano accompanist and one of New York’s most in-demand multidisciplinary artists who plays and directs music all over the world.

The Fab Four, the leaders of the “British Invasion,” and The Lads from Liverpool are the epitome of boy bands, even though they had a lot of trouble settling on what to call themselves. In a relatively short time, they tried out The Quarrymen (named after a school two attended), Johnny and the Moon Dogs, Long John and the Silver Beetles, The Black Jacks Skiffle Group (for one week), The Nerk Twins (for two days), The Beat Brothers, The Beatals, The Silver Beats, finally settling on The Beatles, as a tribute to Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

Those four lucky and plucky lads from Liverpool are legendary in the world of rock and roll. From the moment John, Paul, George and Ringo took up their guitars and drums, it was magic. Ed Sullivan introduced this famous quartet to the United States on his really big television show and the rest, as they say, is musical history.

Don’t miss this grand opportunity to relive the music that moves mountains of music fans. Maybe your personal favorites like “Yesterday,” “Penny Lane.” “All My Lovin’,” “A Hard Day’s Night.” and "We All Live in a Yellow Submarine” will be on the play list.

For tickets ($50, 55, and 65), call the Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at WESTPORTPLAYHOUSE.ORG.

If you’re a Beatlemania fan, then run right over to the Playhouse’s wonderful tribute to those popular performers and icons of rock and roll royalty.