CHEER ON "HYSTERICAL!" AT THROWN STONE THEATRE IN RIDGEFIELD

Thrown Stone Theatre Company wants you to dig out your pom poms and prepare to cheer for the New England premiere of “Hysterical!” by Elenna Stauffer. While the art of cheerleading began in Great Britain in the 1860’s, it took two decades more to travel across the pond to America. In 1884, Princeton men decided to raise school spirit by cheering at football games and the dance and gymnastic routines keep merrily rolling along. Now women, millions of them, continue the tradition in the United States alone, beginning in the 1920’s to this day. Come become acquainted with Shannon Helene Barnes, Olivia Billings, Julia Crowley, Kendyl Grace Davis and Isa Muino as they practice their routines, dances and a new pyramid formation to cheer on their high school teams to victory. These teenage girls build friendships and relationships as they work to form a cohesive force of spirit and camaraderie. Shannon as a senior and captain has the task to keep them all working together as a team, while Maddie as the freshman member struggles with her assigned grunt work, trying to prove her worth. Madison is the dancer determined to make her value clear who will not tolerate anyone who stands in her way. Meanwhile Charlotte is busy waiting in the wings to be captain next year and is working to overcome family issues while Mia is the first one to suddenly exhibit strange physical tics that alarm all the girls and their classmates. No one, not even doctors, can diagnose the ailments that start with Mia and soon transfer to Shannon and Charlotte. Alarms bordering on hysteria consume the school mates and families. Is it Tourette’s Syndrome or a rare neurological condition? What happens when two of the girls recover and the third doesn’t? How will these medical issues affect events like going to prom or bigger concerns like graduating high school and getting into college? Can the team survive all the suspicions and in-flighting? Tracy Brigden directs into intriguing drama that has inferences similar to Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” For tickets ($40-59), call Thrown Stone Theatre, at the Ridgefield Conservatory fo Dance, 440 Main Street, Ridgefield at 203-442-1714 or online at thrownstone.org. Performances alternate with “Athena” by Gracie Gardner until August 6. Proof of vaccination and ID and masks are required. Join the pep rally that reveals a unique coming of age story that you will not soon forget.

"RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA" DANCES INTO SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE

For a charming fairy tale come to life, look no further than Seven Angels’ current enchanting production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” by Stage 7 Community Theatre Production until Sunday, August 7. All the magic and joy of a young girls’ dreams coming true are captured in this musical masterwork with original book by Oscar Hammerstein II and new book by Douglas Carter Beane. Jessica Irizarry is luminous as Ella, the neglected child who endures a punishing life with a step mother (Cristin Daly) and stepsisters Gabrielle (Marcia Maslo) and Charlotte (Kadie Tolderlund). Magically Crazy Marie (Samantha Rae Bass) transforms into Ella’s Godmother just in time for Ella to attend the Ball given by Prince Topher (Terrence Bogan) where he will find a wife to marry to be his Queen. The Prince is assisted by Sebastian (Guy Gaudiosi) and Lord Pinkleton (Jimmy Donohue) who strongly influence how the Prince rules his kingdom. Jean-Michel (Michael Newman) vociferously challenges the Prince, proclaiming his subjects are losing their land and their rights. An energetic ensemble of Tori Sperry, Jordan Adams, Norma Jean Lombard, Ella Perrotti, Geno Bascetta, Brooke Owens, Ava Julia, Nicole Thomas and Jason Warner complete the cast, on a set designed by Emily Nichols, costumes coordinated by Mary Caye DeSocio and music directed by Clio Janis. Will Cinderella find her Prince Charming? Of course, she will. Songs like “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible,” “Ten Minutes Ago,” “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” and "The Prince Is Giving a Ball” merrily roll along. “Stepsister’s Lament” is a hoot! This musical is directed by Jimmy Donohue with Marissa Follo Perry serving as co-director and choreographer. For tickets ($29, students $20, 4 pack $99), call Seven Angels Theatre, Plank Road, Hamilton Park, Waterbury at 203-757-4676 or online at SevenAngelsTheatre.org. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Watch all the magical musical moments as this classic tale of love lights up the Seven Angels stage, where pumpkins can become coaches, mice can become horses, and a scullery maid can marry her Prince Charming.

SHARPEN YOUR SWORDS AND WORDS WITH "ATHENA" IN RIDGEFIELD

The combat sport of fencing involves using your weapons to win points by contact with your opponent. First played in Spain between the 17th and 19th centuries, it is one of the first sports to be played in the Olympics, while competitive fencing is a featured part of every modern Olympic games. Footwork and posture are essential rules, as opponents thrust an parry using the tip of their foil to score points against their competition. For an up close and personal lesson in the art of fencing, go directly to Thrown Stone Theatre Company’s intimate offering of “Athena” by Gracie Gardner for its New England premiere until August 6 in Ridgefield. Two school chums, Athena (Shannon Helene Barnes) and Mary Wallace (Olivia Billings) find themselves thrust into t he role of competitors as they practice with intensity for the Nationals, the Junior Olympics. Friends of a point each teenager wants to win and they are willing to seize an advantage whenever one is presented. Each wildly different in background, the two grape for the reward of the win, even if it means stretching the rules to achieve it. Both highly competitive, it is fascinating to watch them each emerge from the layers of protective personalities, much like their protective clothing, they wear. Athena by assuming the name of a mythological goddess, asks probing questions, allowing each seventeen year old to reveal their deepest fears and passions, their likes and dislikes, their stresses and successes. Their defensive and offense moves are a physical choreography that is orchestrated to hold the audience’s strict attention. For tickets ($49-59), call Stone Thrown Theatre, at the Ridgefield Conservatory fo Dance, 440 Main Street, Ridgefield at 203-442-1714 or online at thrownstone.org. Performances are Saturday, July 23 at 8 p.m., Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m., Friday, July 29 at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 30 at 2 p.m.,Friday, August 5 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 6 at 2 p.m. this play will be in repertory with “Hysterical!” by Elenna Stauffer. Both are directed by Tracy Brigden. Show proof of vaccination and ID and wear a mask. Watch these two intense competitor/friends polish their craft intros intriguing exchange of swords and words.

"HEAVEN CAN WAIT" OR CAN IT AT THE KATE

Every Christmas it is more than a tradition, almost a requirement, to watch the wannabe angel Clarence struggle to earn his wings, after trying for two hundred years, in the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life." He ends up in Bedford Falls, New York and has the supreme task of convincing the suicidal George Bailey that his life is worth living. Thankfully George realizes his worth and a bell rings proving Clarence now has earned his wings. Prepare yourself for another angel to appear, this time courtesy of Saybrook Stage Company at the Katharine Hepburn Center for the Performing Arts from Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July17 when “Heaven Can Wait” flies into town. Originally written at the start of World War II, to give people hope and a promising future, “Heaven Can Wait” by Harry Segall is a comedy just in time to provide some much needed humor. An overeager and poorly trained angel answering to the name of Mr. Jordan mistakenly claims an up and coming prizefighter Joe Pendleton to be his newest angel recruit. The only problem is Mr. Jordan is sixty years too early. When the mistake is recognized, and Joe demands to be returned to earth, it is discovered that Joe’s manager, Max Levene, has unfortunately had Joe cremated. Now a new body for Joe to inhabit is needed and pronto. The hunt is on and the first viable suspect is a man, a quite wealthy gentleman, whose wife is planning his execution. How will that work out? Remember that this is a comedy so don’t send any bouquets of flowers to the funeral home just yet.This light hearted play is directed by Terri Corigliano. For tickets ($15-23), call the Kate box office at 860-510-0453 or go online to www.thekate.org. Performances are 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. Masks are encouraged to be worn on site. Come help Joe earn his way back to earth and abandon the wings he is sixty years too early to claim. As we look to establish our lives again after the pandemic, what better way than through laughter…where love with triumph.

COME VISIT "KIM'S CONVENIENCE" FOR HEALTHY DOSE OF LAUGHTER AT WCP

Playwright Ins Choi was born in Korea but grew up in Toronto, Canada and used many of the stories of his family and friends to fashion his charming comedy “Kim’s Convenience” at Westport Country Playhouse until Sunday, July 17. Not a good student like his sisters, he candidly revealed at a recent talk back he wasn’t accepted to any colleges and his mother despaired he would never find a woman to marry. Never fear, after a few false starts, Ino Choi has found his voice, writing an outstanding Asian-Canadian play for the Toronto Fringe Festival and winning the competition. “Kim's Convenience” has also enjoyed five successful seasons on Netflix and this production at Westport is the first American offering. Mr. Kim, or Appa as he is affectionately known, is the king of his store and is dictatorial about the way it is run. In the hands of David Shih, he is convinced he will not sell out to the condo conglomeration that wants to buy his store. He is also not shy about giving lessons to his daughter Janet, his dedicated child Cindy Im. While he harbors dreams of Janet running his small empire, she wants to be a photographer. Mr, Kim’s passion for teaching continues when a neighborhood cop Alex, a sweet Eric R. Williams, arrives and discovers his old friend Janet on site. Soon Mr. Kim is exercising his decisive conditions on both unsuspecting victims. Meanwhile Mrs. Kim, Umma , in the hands of Chuja Seo, is at church secretly meeting with their estranged son Jung, a contrite Hyunmin Rhee, whose youthful mistakes caused him to leave home. Will Mr Kim sell his beloved store that is his life? Will he convince his chid to take over as proprietor? Can the family reconcile all their differences? For tickets($40-70), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or 888-927-7529or online at www.westportplayhouse.org. Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday t 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Proof of vaccination must be shown and masks are required. Come shop at Kim’s Convenience but be forewarned that Mr. Kim will punish any thieves who steal from his family from the fully stocked shelves designed by You-Shin Chen, with props by Sean Sanford, all under the capable direction of Nelson T. Eusebio III. Come experience this full of familial love and heart play for yourself and discover how similar we are.

“PIPPIN” IS YOUTH SEARCHING FOR FULFILLMENT

There’s clearly magic in the air when Shannon Cheong as Pippin returns from college after graduation and confronts his father Charlemagne (Gene Choquette) about how to achieve a meaningful life. Pippin is the vulnerable and impressionable lad who wants to soar like an eagle and fly free, hoping to find his "corner of the sky.” Not content with the small life he feels he is trapped in, he seeks change and experiences.Thao Ngyuen, with full regalia, plays the Leading Player, the tempter/narrator who has the power to control the directions and misdirections that Pippin pursues. From now until Sunday, August 21, Playhouse on Park in West Hartford will be using theatrical sleight of hand to present the son of the king’s quest for fulfillment in this amazing musical with book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and cleverly directed and choreographed by Darlene Zoller. Pippin is many things to many people. His name signifies one of the Hobbits who join Frode on his quest to follow the Fellowship of the Ring. Or it could mean a yellowish apple with a rare wine-like flavor or even a computer created by Apple to play CD games. In this instance, Pippin is the son of one of the world’s greatest emperors, Charlemagne. Enter Pippin, with all his wide eyed idealism, who is actively searching to discover a life that is not common place or ordinary, but rather completely fulfilling. To that end, he enlists the aid of his father Charlemagne, a gruff and self-absorbed king, his alluring step mother Fastrada, Kate Wesler, who only wants to promote the well being of her own progeny Lewis, a battle ready Brad Weatherford, and the Leading Player or Master Showman, an engagingly fascinating Thao Ngyuen, who could easily be mistaken for the devil or an angel. Another important person in Pippin’s world is his grandmother Berthe, SuEllen Estey, who sings him a lovely song about not worrying and just living, “No Time at All,” that the audience is invited to share. A love interest is introduced with the widow Catherine, Juliana Lamia, and her child Theo, played by Ryan Byrne and his prized duck, but Pippin, who has already tried to find his way in the arts, religion and even to unseat his ruler father is still not satisfied. An outstanding and energetic ensemble includes Dalton Bertolone, Leyland Cockerl-Patrick, Rae Janeil, Teagan La’Shay, Oleode Oshotse,Stephanie Reuning-Scherer,Kristen Schoen-Rene, and Julia Solecki. Noted for sensational songs like "Magic To Do," "Corner of the Sky," "Glory,” "No Time At All," "Morning Glow" and "Love Song," it is sure to astonish and amaze, under the musical direction of Colin Britt. For tickets ($40-50), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900 ext. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. Performances are Tuesday at 2 p.m.,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. There is a talk back with the cast on Sunday. Keep your eyes glued on the imaginative center ring as Pippin rides off into the world to capture his destiny in every magical and mysterious way possible.

"AWESOMER AND AWESOMER" SPARKLES AT BRANFORD'S LEGACY THEATRE

With a title like “Awesomer and Awesomer,” this musical starts off promising to be special and it doesn’t disappoint. Until Saturday, July 16, the Legacy Theatre in Branford will be lifting the curtain on Phoebe Kreutz’s zany sense of humor and views on the world in a series of slightly cynical and amazingly clever vignettes on life and love and beer and the Beatles and any other topic that may currently be on your mind. With a wildly talented quartet of actresses - Jennifer Barnhart, Katie Boren, Emma Green and Katrien Van Riel - with Gary Adler on piano and Billy Bustamante fielding choreography, these ladies are off and running with such inspired tunes as boyfriends who are “Dumber Than I Thought” and clearly a “Disaster.” These wild wanderings travel to Paris and Ireland, muse about what might happen “If God Is A Woman” and promote the culinary delights of Taco Bell, all under the creative direction of Alan Muraoka. Also on the Legacy’s bulletin board are a one-woman play with songs, stories and hope written and performed by Julie Fitzpatrick 77 U-Turn; a Concert by Jelani Remy: This Is My Moment! on Sunday, July 17, (he is currently starring as the Emcee in “Cabaret” at Goodspeed Musicals); a Playwrights Circle Festival of Plays on Sunday, July 24 starting at 10 a.m. until almost 4 p.m. with almost a dozen new offerings; a film on Saturday, July 30 “Born at The Water’s Edge” revealing the history of Stony Creek; and culminating on Sunday, July 31 with a film by Stephen Dest “I am Shakespeare: The Henry Green Story.” Call the box office at 203-315-1901 or online at LegacyTheatreCt.org for specific times and ticket prices. Legacy Theatre is sure to provide a wonderful entertainment series for the whole family, including children’s programing. Don’t miss the boat!

"SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE" IS SMOKIN' HOT IN IVORYTON

Ironically one of America’s greatest song writing teams almost didn’t make it to the platter recording gate. Only one partner was eager to write current best selling hits. As the story goes, Jerry Leiber has been accused of convincing his soulmate Mike Stoller into becoming a songwriter, something Stoller was not anxious to become. Whatever Jerry said, that unique partnership lasted for six decades, with Jerry as the witty lyricist and Mike as the talented composer. Along the way, they helped a little unknown singer named Elvis Presley find his voice, gifting him with tunes like "Loving You" and "Jailhouse Rock." Rock and roll was their forte and humor was often their trademark, although rhythm and blues crept into their extensive repertoire. This producing partnership wrote "Hound Dog" for Big Mama Thornton and a string of R and B tunes for Charles Brown, Jimmy Witherspoon and Floyd Dixon. Almost three dozen of their greatest hits are on display until Sunday, July 31 at The Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton as it presents "Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller" for your summer listening pleasure. As the architects of rock and roll, Leiber and Stoller knew no rivals. If you’re looking for a good time that ping pongs back and forth from snappy sizzle to mellow yellow, then “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” is the perfect place to park yourself for a musical interlude. A cast of nine is perfectly poised and polished to light up the skies with hits from the musical pens of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Turn up the heat for this retrospective of hits that are reminiscent of decades ago as Joseph Castro, Elvie Ellis, Debra Thais Evans, Tiffany Frances, Cameron Loyal, Sandra Marante, Gabriella Saramago, Warren Nolan, Jr. and Cartreze Tucker swing and sway and shimmy into rhythmic magic land with such numbers as “Dance With Me,” “Searchin',” “On Broadway,” “Yakety Yak,” and “I’m A Woman.” They will tickle your fancy with their comic twists performing “Poison Ivy,” “Don Juan,” “D. W. Washburn,” and “Love Potion #9.” Elvis will enter the building as they blast out “Hound Dog,” “Treat Me Nice,” and “Jailhouse Rock.” You’ll love the verbal Valentine of “Falling,” the fun of the dancing in “Teach Me How To Shimmy” and the power of “Stand By Me.” Their invitation to “Dance With Me” will be too hard to resist, while you might be tempted to confess and repent just to be ”Saved.” No matter what the mood or tempo, this lively group will wrap you up with a slithery pink scarf as they dance and sing. They’ve got all the right moves and you might enjoy finding yourself on your feet on stage helping them along the way. For tickets ($55, seniors $50, students $25 with half price tickets on Thursdays after 6 p.m. if available), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.,Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. With proof of vaccination, masks are optional. A Summer Cabaret Series will begin on Monday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m with the cast of "Smokey Joe’s Cafe" crooning Sounds of the Seventies, produced and directed by Schuyler Beeman. Tickets are $35. Let the mighty spirit move you as you take a musical journey along this friendly and famous road paved by the good works of Leiber and Stoller. Discover first hand why Leiber and Stoller have been called the Rodgers and Hammerstein of Rock and Roll.