YALE REPERTORY THEATRE OFFERS A "FURLOUGH'S PARADISE"

What would two cousins who have grown up on the same street, virtually in each other’s pockets, for their entire childhood, do when they take dramatically different paths to the future? As adults these two women find themselves thrust together in a catayclysmic heart wrenching encounter over one three day weekend. A funeral has brought the pair in a visceral clash that threatens their emotional well being irrevocably.

Let the Yale Repertory Theatre put you in the middle of the conflict with a.k.payne’s starkly revealing “Furlough’s Paradise” until Saturday, May 16. These two Black women are powerfully portrayed by Tiffany McLarty’s Mina and Lauren F. Walker’s Sade. No longer are they hopeful girls sharing memories of watching "The Little Mermaid" together while munching on bowls of Cookie Crisp cereal, building forts out of bed sheets or holding pillow fights, and reminiscing about Mina’s dad and Sade’s mom, brother and sister, and how they colored and influenced their childhood.

Now Sade is on a brief furlough from prison and Mina reflects on her college education and future plans and their differences balloon as giant obstacles before them. Can they crawl their way back from the cliff of alienation and find the peace and love they once embraced? Is there a reconciliation in their future, a chance to create a utopia together? As they reenact their parents’s funerals, they work to reestablish their love pact from the past, but can they? This involving and emotion driven drama is directed by abgail jean-baptist.

For tickets ($15-50), call the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven at 203-432-1234 or online at yalerep.org. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., with talkbacks after with the cast and playwright.

Watch how grieving and shared memories of the past allow these two almost-sisters to reopen closed doors to their hearts and souls.

NEW HAVEN THEATER COMPANY HAS STORIES OF IRELAND GALORE

Storytelling dates back to prehistoric times to preserve culture and communicate ideas. Before the invention of writing around 3200 BCE, the primary method of storytelling was by word of mouth. Epic tales, theatrical narratives, and religious texts were told. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century shot storytelling up the revolutionary trail.

For a revealing example of this ancient art, with an emphasis on ghost stories with things that go bump in the night, travel to an Irish pub, Brendan’s, courtesy of the New Haven Theater Company where a quintet of people, four men who know each other well and a woman new to the community have gathered for a pint or three of Guinness. Join them for Conor McPherson’s "The Weir” as they share tales of a supernatural theme that touch the heart and the imagination. Until Saturday, May 9, the EBM and Civvies Vintage Store, 839 Chapel Street, New Haven will offer you a seat at the bar.

Director George Kulp is passionate about this play, calling Conor McPherson the finest playwright of his generation. He calls this play lyrical and amazing, that in February 2025 was adapted into a film with the cast of the Dublin/London revival. The four men who frequently meet over a pint of stout have know each other for years: Gavin Whelan’s Brendan who owns the pub and his usual customers, J. Kevin Smith’s Jack, Steve Scarpa’s Jim, and John Bachelder’s Finbar. Tonight Finbar chances to introduce a newcomer who has just moved to the community, Melissa Andersen's Valerie.

As the alcohol loosens their Irish tongues, the men start telling stories that involve conflicts in the past, burial plots, romances that went wrong with regrets, strange knocks on the door, ghostly overtones, betting on horses, tales of fairies, old folklore, tricksters, priestly blessings, a special soup stock, a newly dug grave, a howling wind and an accident under the water.

For tickets ($25), go online to www.newhaventheatercompany.com. Performances are Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Get involved in the private and public lives of these hard working Irish men who are fascinated by the beautiful newcomer in their world. They wow her with strange tales of the past, real or imagined, and then are spellbound when they listen to the story she is compelled to share with them in return.

SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE PROCLAIMS "IT'S A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING"

Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre is proclaiming “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” until Sunday, May 10 and you are cordially invited to make it a glorious occasion. Hopefully you’ll be requested to sing along without having to audition for a part. Singing is a delightful pastime and will make you feel happy and alive, spirited and full of joy.

A chorus of five will set the stage, the tempo and the harmony for a tribute to the great team of Rodgers and Hammerstein with a musical revue of Broadway Classics. Come feast on a banquet of hit tunes and some lesser known songs from such gems as "The King and I,” “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “Cinderella,” ”State Fair,” and “South Pacific.” What a treasure chest of jewels!

With a special cast that includes Morgan Cowling, Abigail Hammond, Elizabeth Fox, Kenneth Galm and Charles Romano, under the smooth direction of Constantine Pappas, and a great accompanying band of Richard Carsey on piano, Eric Pelletier on reeds, Igor Lepak on bass, and Mark Ryan and Bob Nolte on percussion, the stage is set. Sit back for a delightful serenade of tunes you fondly remember and many that will be new to your ears. More than thirty tunes are awaiting you, like Oklahoma’s Surrey with the Fringe on the Top, The Sound of Music's Maria, South Pacific’s I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and South Pacific’s Some Enchanted Evening. The magic keeps rolling along.

For tickets, visit SevenAngelsTheatre.org or call 203-757-4676. Remember the speciality nights that accompany many performances. Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Look forward to Patricia Griffin, psychic medium on May 17, $32 and Lee-Ann Lovelace Live!, on May 24, $30 and The Broken Hearts-A Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on June 6, $25. Check out the Youth Summer Theatre Program for ages 7-18 starting June 22.

In these stressful times, it is wonderful to let yourself relax for a few hours of pure listening pleasure and Seven Angels has just the perfect ticket here.

"LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION." CONCERTS CELEBRATING MOVIES AND MUSIC BY CTGMC

Movies and Music go together like Butter and Popcorn, especially when they are paired by the genius of the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus for a trio of festive spring concerts. This incredible men’s assemblage of superb voices are ready to present a parade of movies where songs are the stars and all you have to do is sit back and hum along with pleasure.

On Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., take a seat at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Center in Old Saybrook or on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m., let the SHU Community Theatre in Fairfield be your magical venue. Are your favorite songsters Cher, Elvis, Liza, Adele, Madonna, Barbra, Neil, Frank or Johnny, and you are sure to hear some of your favorites, You might enjoy some of your besties like from “My Fair Lady,” or “Oklahoma,” some newer history themed treats like “Hamilton” or “Les Mis.” Be surprised to sing along to "Beauty and the Beast” or "The Music Man.” You never know what gifts the CTCMC has in store. You just know that it will be spectacular fun and perfect for your entertainment needs.

Come treat yourself to “Lights. Camera. Action. A Celebration of the Music of the Movies” as the silver screen comes alive with “unforgettable moments to Academy Award-winning songs you know and love.” The CTGMC promises a trio of afternoons and evenings packed with “big harmonies, standout vocals and glorious melodies.” Who could ask for anything more.

If music be the spice of life, play on. And don’t forget the exciting BingoMania the chorus is famous for hosting on one Saturday night a month. The next one scheduled is May 16, “May the 4th Be With You.” Admission for cards is $25, with cash prizes up to $2500. Cocktails, snacks, desserts and drinks are available and costumes are encouraged. Door open at 6 p.m. and games start at 7p.m. at The Annex Club, 554 Woodward Avenue, New Haven (just off I-95).

For concert tickets ($45) go to www.ctgmc.org.

Let these creative and colorful guys salute the movies and their memorable music for a fun and entertaining matinee or evening showcase.

"NUNSENSE" IS HABIT FORMING FUN AT LEGACY THEATRE IN BRANFORD

The Little Sisters of Hoboken, bless their kind hearts, have a problem and you can help then solve it. Come to their fundraiser at the Legacy Theatre in Branford by Sunday May 17 and aid them in burying the last four nuns out of 52 who died when the sisters were served soup by Sister Julia Child of God.

The good Little Sisters of Hoboken, your favorite nuns, are at it again and you're invited to the party. They are being forced to hold a talent show fundraiser as an emergency measure to stave off the imminent visit by the New Jersey Board of Health. Those blue sisters are in the freezer. Hence, the need to quickly raise funds for burial plots.

If this hooky and humorous plot line tickles your fancy, then you are prime candidates for Daniel Goggins' highly successful comedy “Nunsense.” being irreverently presented in Branford.

Come meet the Mother Superior who jealously guards all her chicks and her coterie which includes Sister Robert Anne who is Brooklyn street smart and the driver of the convent van, Sister Mary Leo who is literally always "on her toes" as a wannabe ballerina, the second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert who like Avis keeps trying harder, and, last but not least, Sister Amnesia who lost her marbles and memory when a crucifix fell on her head.

These devoted ladies of the cloth will move heaven and earth to provide you with an angelic performance as they sing, dance, tell jokes, provide cooking lessons and even bring out Sister Marionette, all in the service of the Lord to entertain you. Playwright Dan Goggins has resurrected memories from his sojourn in the Catholic school system to create this easily "habit forming" pastime.

Come see Keisha T. Fraser as Sister Mary Hubert, Melissa Goldberg as Sister Mary Leo, Jennifer Smith as Reverend Mother, Sarah Vieira as Sister Robert Anne and Semina DeLaurentis as Sister Mary Amnesia, a role she originated off-Broadway in 1985. Be prepared for a religious quiz or three, with appropriate prizes if you are correct, the perpetual understudy Sister Robert Anne vying for her turn in the spotlight, a country western singing session, a turn of fleet feet doing "Tackle That Temptation with a Time Step" and much much more. You might even be tempted to convert if you are not already a Catholic. Director James Gray directs and choreographs this delightful romp in religious humor.

For tickets ($41.50-56.50), call the Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Road, Branford at 203-315-1901 or online at Legacy TheatreCT.org. Watch for the next offerings of “The Wizard of Oz” July 9-August 2 and “The Odd Couple” September 10-October 4.

Prepare to be thoroughly engaged as the Little Sisters of Hoboken kick up their heels and pull out all the stops (and corks from the sacramental wine) to entertain you in heavenly splendor. Enjoy every moment of their angelic offerings.

TWH BRINGS "CIRCUS FIRE" TO FRIGHTENING REALITY

The circus has long been a fascinating adventure for young and old alike, a voyage to a magic land of entertainment that is a three ring excitement to thrill and marvel. When it comes to town you are encouraged to grab your popcorn, peanuts and Cracker Jacks, your orange circus peanuts, cotton candy, and snow cones, to anticipate the fun. Tragically, things can go wrong and the circus can be the scene of sadness, when the big tent is the shadow of terror and becomes an inferno. Now ”Circus Fire” is coming to town, a world premiere written by Jacques Lamarre, conceived by Jacques Lamarre, Jared Mezzocchi and Rob Ruggiero, with direction and multimedia experience by Jared Mezzocchi until Sunday May 31.

The First Company Governor’s Foot Guard at 159 High Street in Downtown Hartford becomes the scene in July 1944 when the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth, rolls into town to entertain the citizens of Hartford. Our country is at war and the heat of summer is imminent and heavy. Families are excited and full of happy plans. In a tent as big as a football field, a fire mysteriously start and suddenly an inferno erupts. Neither the community fire and police or the circus crew are prepared to help.

Tragically within minutes the tent is engulfed in flames and people are panicked and running for their lives, grabbing children’s hands and fleeing. Twelve actors-Mike Boland, Constantino Fernandez, Olivia Nicole Hoffman, Rebecka Jones, Caroline Kinsolving, Anastasia Maglaras, Eric Orsini, Stuart Rider, Janelle Anne Robinson, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., Marco Verna, and Dan Whelton-become the ring master, clown, band leader, circus worker, circus administrators, family members, and investigators who work to discover what happened. What happened to the 167 men, women and children who did not survive? Could it have been prevented? Who was responsible, the Hartford community or the circus, or both? Jacques Lamarre builds a tension that is heartbreakingly real.

For tickets ($65-80), call TheaterWorks Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at twhartford.org. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Don’t miss the party of the year on May 16 for PARTY ON PEARL, the 40th Anniversary of TWH.

Catch the fever of the stampede as excitement turns to terror, as the unthinkable becomes reality, as the greatest joy becomes intense tragedy, and you are witness to the horror.

PULITZER PRIZE WINNING DRAMA "PRIMARY TRUST" AT WCP

What would your life be like without family or friends? Lonely and sad probably.If at the tender age of ten your mother, your only living relative dies of cancer, you never experience a true sense of belonging again and how tragic might that be.

Trust is a promise that some one or some thing will honor a commitment, will do what they say they will, a feeling of confidence that one can feel safe and secure. What happens if trust does not exist, from a family member, a friend, a neighbor, even a stranger? Our whole foundation on how to depend on another person rests on these fundamental relationships. What happens when they don’t exist?

All our social interactions are the basis for trust. We need to have faith in each other and ourselves in all relationships for life, home, work, in society. Westport Country Playhouse is offering a lesson in “Primary Trust,” a winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama by Eboni Booth, a sensitive study of survival and triumph of spirit, directed by Logan Vaughn until Saturday, May 2.

Come meet Kenneth, a late thirties-something African-American man, who has been hiding in the nooks and crannies of a used bookstore for decades. He is essentially hiding from life, stacking books by day and slurping mai tai drinks in a tiki bar named Wally’s by night. Without the companionship of his best friend Bert, he would be navigating life alone. Cranberry, New York is not a hot bed of social activity so when Kenneth is told by his boss Sam, an apologetic Greg Stuhr, he is sick and selling out, Alphonso Walker Jr's Kenneth in effect suffers a meltdown.

Having lost his mother when he was young, Kenneth must once again face a harsh reality. He must begin again. He must suddenly stand up for himself. He must find a new job. Most importantly, he must discover a new best friend because BBF Bert is imaginary. How Kenneth manages the nearly impossible tasks is a lesson in courage. His new boss Clay, also Greg Stuhr, miraculously takes him under his wing at Primary Trust Bank and, like the Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” embues Kenneth with new courage. Jasmine Johnson’s legion of friendly waitresses at Wally’s gives him a sense of self-esteem and old imaginary pal Bert, Lance Coadie Williams, sticks around long enough to seal the do-over deal.

For tickets ($50 and up), call WCP, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at westportplayhouse.org. Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:00 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Watch how Kenneth struggles to create a new world for himself when his existing one crumbles like a sand castle enveloped by the ocean tide. His story is heartbreaking, yet uplifting and ultimately one of courage and resilience.