"WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION" A TWISTED THRILLER

Guilt or innocence is a matter of motives and evidence.  Being accused of murder is a serious set of circumstances and one that can be difficult or impossible to disprove.  For Leonard Vole, the warrant for his arrest is like a bad dream, one that escalates into nightmare status.  Thanks to the Mistress of Mysteries and Queen of Suspense, Agatha Christie,  you are being lured into the interrogation and into the courtroom until you feel like you're a "Witness for the Prosecution," courtesy of the Westport Community Theatre weekends until Sunday, December 11.

Dame Agatha Christie started her vast writing career to win a bet that she couldn't write a detective story. She has sold over one billion books with over two billion in print, while J. K. Rowling has only a mere 325 million Harry Potter books on the shelves.  Christie has called this play, one of her twenty, her best. 

The defendant is Leonard Vole (Travis Branch), a man who has not traveled far up the ladder of success, yet one who has some charms and hints of kindness.  He rescued a woman, Romaine (Samantha Pattinson) in Germany after the war by marrying her and taking her home to London and now many years later he again rescues a woman, Emily French, who is about to be hit by a bus on a busy street.

Now Vole is accused of murdering Ms. French as he stands to inherit all her wealth in her latest will.  He claims to know nothing about the inheritance and has, in all innocence,  just cultivated her friendship out of a good heart to ease her loneliness.  Vole has engaged the services of a team of solicitors to prove he is not guilty, from the secretary Greta (Cindy Hartog), to the clerk Carter (Geoffrey Gilbert), the attorney Mayhew (David Victor) to his primary lawyer, the prestigious Sir Wilfrid Roberts (Barry Alan Hatrick) who needs to defend him in court.

Initially Vole's wife Romaine is the primary witness to provide him with an alibi, that he was home with her before  Ms. French met her dastardly fate. On the witness stand, however, being questioned by the accusatory Mr. Myers (Jeff Pliskin), under the watchful eye of the presiding judge (Larry Greeley), Romaine changes her story and casts Vole in a damning light.  To compound her new tale, Ms. French's housekeeper of twenty years, Janet Mackenzie (Kate Telfer), adds her eye witness proof that Vole is guilty.

Who to believe? What of the blood on Vole's jacket cuff?  Why was Vole looking at expensive cruises with a mysterious woman? The clues keep mounting up and the damaging accusations are too high to ignore.  Agatha Christie is a master at keeping you in suspence so you'll have to stay alert and watch for the red herrings.  Tom Rushen directs this taut drama on a revolving set designed by Kevin Pelkey.

For tickets ($25, $23 for seniors and students), call Westport Community Theatre, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport (Westport Town Hall) at 203-226-1983 or online at  [http://www.westportcommunitytheatre,com]www.westportcommunitytheatre,com. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and Thursday, December 1 at 8 p.m.

Hop aboard the roller coaster of clues as Agatha Christie is the amusement ride's conductor with enough twists and turns to make even Hercule Poirot happy and entertained.

KICK UP YOUR "KINKY BOOTS" AT THE PALACE

Thigh high red sequined boots are at the sparkly spangly soul of that big hearted musical for all shoe fetished people:  "Kinky Boots."  Based on a true story, it has won six Tony Awards and is coming to Waterbury's Palace Theater from December 6 to December 11 and you're invited to try it on for style, comfort and fun. The brain child of Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein, "Kinky Boots" follows Charlie  Price (Adam Kaplan) whose dad has just died and left him with a shoe factory one heel and sole away from bankruptcy.

Charlie is less than enthusiastic about his inheritance and no more wants to be at the helm of a footwear factory than he wants to raise boa constrictors for a living.  The reality is he must try to rescue the business his father loved or at least give it a Jimmy Choo try.

Hold on to your shoe laces and shoe horns and think unconventional, quirky, exotic and bizarre as Charlie takes off running for the finish line.  A chance meeting with a cross dressing entertainer is an eye opening experience.  His new friend Lola  (J. Harrison Ghee) happens to mention that he(she) can't find a pair of performance heels that can hold his weight without breaking.  Charlie has already come to the conclusion that men's oxfords and loafers are a shoe of the past.

Can Charlie solve Lola's problems and his own in the same shoe box?  Can he create a sturdy but stylish pair of fabulous boots that will propel Lola and Price & Sons to profits and perfection?

The mature male dancer needs the proper foot wear in addition to beads, boas and bustiers. The tall and tapered red patent leather beauties are a symbol of friendship and allow for a super energized dance party of joy.  Come put on a pair of mile high stilettos of your own and kick up your heels.

For tickets ($50-100 ), call the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-
346-2000 or online at www.palacetheaterct.com.  Performances are Tuesday to 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.

Before the Thursday and Friday night shows and after the Sunday matinee, the Palace offers a pre-fixe four course dinner by Verbena Catering in the Poli Club, on the mezzanine level of the theater. Reservations can be made for $65, plus tax and service charge per person with an open bar, at the box office.

Watch how Charlie and Lola team up to solve a multitude of problems and create a new level of shoe heaven in the process.

REMEMBERING KATHARINE HEPBURN

ANN NYBERG (ABOVE) AND KATHARINE HEPBURN (BELOW)

To the citizens of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, she was a special personal friend while to the world she was a global icon of theater and film.  Katharine Hepburn has drawn a legion of fans through her magnificent career that lasted seven decades and she is beloved.  How delightful, therefore, that WTNH television personality Ann Nyberg has taken the time and her talents as an interviewer to assemble a collection of stories and anecdotes from the family and friends who knew her best in a new book "Remembering Katharine Hepburn" recently published by Globe Pequot.

This legendary leading lady lived in the Fenwick section of Old Saybrook for much of her life, in a home she termed "paradise."  She could frequently be seen swimming in the waters outside her rambling house, or biking the lanes to town, playing golf or tennis.  She religiously guarded her home as a sanctuary and wouldn't let anyone take anything from it, even seaweed.  Hepburn would have been 110 next year but she was a fixture in Old Saybrook, now boasting a theater, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural  Arts Center on Main Street, where the book was recently unveiled. The theater is affectionately called "The Kate" and has a museum in her honor on the first floor and an intimate playhouse  on the second where many of her fifty films are often screened.

With a favorite color of red, a sense of style that introduced slacks as an appropriate mode of dress for women long before its time, and an independent spirit marked by moxie, Hepburn was unique in her approach to life.  Briefly wed at a young age, she knew marriage and children were not her calling, not when the stage and movies drew her so definitely.

The book was not Ann Nyberg's idea.  She was exhausted having just finished writing "Slice of Life," but Globe Pequot made a request she couldn't refuse, "to reintroduce Katharine Hepburn to a new generation."  Now she is so "excited to see the book in print."  Ironically Ann had tried on several occasions to interview the lady in question, once even speaking to her on the telephone but it wasn't destined to be.  She was shy of press interviews.  With this book, Nyberg got to speak to people related to her and hear stories of how kind she was, like rescuing a teenager in a snow storm, as well as "brash and bold" like no tolerating any one chewing gum in her presence.  To Kate, everything was black and white...career was everything.  She worked for a span of seventy years, right to the end.  She won four Academy Awards but never went to the ceremonies.

A proper lady, she was big on manners and a great recluse, one who valued her privacy.  She always wanted to play the lead and "matter." Even though she died at 96 in 2003, she is still an icon, people are still talking about her and she enjoyed being a star. In this book, the reader will find sprinkles of her wit and wisdom and how much she cared for her friends and for her "nutty" family.  She was often seen picking blueberries in her trademark straw hat, scarf and sunglasses or at Walt's Market buying baloney.  She loved life and wasn't adverse to speaking her mind, setting a fashion statement by wearing slacks or by being independent.

The theater named for her will benefit from the sale of this book and is, in a sense, the interview that Ann Nyberg never got to have with this definitely different and unique individual who left her mark on our hearts for eternity.  Who else would think of giving a trophy of cinnamon toast as a prize for winning a dance contest?

VISITING AN ELF IN SANTALAND

Imagine it's the month before Christmas and you have the last twenty dollar bill in your pocket and the rent is due.  You're an out of work actor and you know you would never take a job dressed as a hot dog or a french fry and hand out pamphlets on a street corner but would you be willing to do something almost as humiliating:  be an elf at Macy's Department Store?  Actor and writer David Sedaris found himself in just that situation many years ago and he used his irreverent and sarcastic sense of humor to fashion a one man show that just completed a weekend run, November 25-27, in the upstairs lounge of the Shubert Theatre in New Haven courtesy of the Castle Craig Players.

Never fear, you have two more opportunities to see this sardonic and cynical peek at the holidays' little helpers.  From Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4, the Farmington Valley Stage Company will be at 4 Market Street, Collinsville Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m..  Tickets are $18-20 online at www.fvs.org.

Look for the  Castle Craig Players December 8-11, Thursday - Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, at the Almira F. Stephen Memorial Playhouse, 59 West Main Street, Meriden.  For tickets, $15, call 800-838-3006 or online at www.castlecraig.org.

Ian Galligan delightfully stars as Crumpet, an elf with an attitude, one who didn't really want the job, was afraid he wouldn't get the job and now has to survive the job.  The training is tedious, his fellow elves and Santas leave much to be desired and he has no use at all for the angry parents and crying kids he must deal with in a plethora of responsibilities. He uses his subversive sense of survival to make fun of the whole ordeal.

In the pretend world of Macy's enchanted land, he could find himself as entrance elf, a magic tree elf, a photo elf, a pathway to Santa elf or an emergency exit elf and he doesn't like any one of them in any disguise, especially in his green, red and gold finery.

Galligan is clearly up for the challenge of making his position as elf an entertaining one, one that looks behind the curtain, to the darker side of fantasy land that visitors rarely experience. 

Crumpet has a hard time dealing with the commercial aspects of Christmas, but ultimately discovers a short cut to redemption at the end of his stint, when on Christmas Eve  a different kind of Kris Kringle arrives on the scene. Melanie Del Sole directs this epic episode of elves in the house with humor and wit.

Watch for a return of Crumpet to the throne as he shares his hard earned insights into the heart and soul of elves everywhere.  Are the Keebler elves next for a reveal?

 Hitch up the sleigh and fly off to a Christmas experience that promises to be unique, where Andrew Benator gets to indulge his strong silly streak to release unchecked comic joy.

CT. CABARET IN BERLIN GOES HOLLYWOOD

                                                        JUDY GARLAND

All aboard for a wonderful sentimental musical journey back in time to the Hollywood of the 1930's and forward as Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin offers up a new musical revue "Babes in Hollywood The Music of Garland and Rooney" weekends until December 17.  Pack an overnight bag and plan to sing along as you hop on a train car, cable car and trolley with eight talented performers who will bring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney to glorious life through dozens of songs. The show features music and arrangements by David Grapes and Andrew Philip Herron.

Come meet Jayson Beauleu, Kate Bogue, Jordan DuVall, Abby Mae Erwin, Tony Galli, Alexis Kurtz, Aidan Laliberte and Mary Tourigny as they travel back in time to when these two teenagers  met and became fast friends on the set of United and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Movie Studios.  The troupe promises "That's Entertainment" and they deliver the goods.  

Both stars were the children of vaudevillians and started their careers practically from the cradle.  Big box office stars, the show follows their friendship and careers, all the ups and downs, trials and triumphs, they shared.  This is a tribute and you're invited to sing along as the hit parade of tunes comes pouring out, guided by musical director Nathaniel Baker.

Prepare to be delighted by a host of favorites like "Where or When," "We're a Couple of Swells,"  "Clang, Clang, Clang Goes the Trolley," "Strike Up the Band," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "I'm in the Mood for Love," among many others.  These iconic stars deserve this tribute, as their words and music are celebrated.

Director Kris McMurray uses a light hearted touch as he casts a spotlight on the past, with affection.

For tickets ($30), call the CT Cabaret Theatre, 31 Webster Square Road, Berlin at 860-829-1248 or online at www.ctcabaret.com.  Bring to bring goodies to share at your table or plan to buy desserts and drinks on site.  Now is the time to subscribe for the cabaret's next exciting season.

Take a joyful trip with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney who are sure to carry you "Over the Rainbow" "Come Rain or Come Shine."

ACTOR RICHARD DREYFUSS CHARMS AUDIENCE

                                                RICHARD DREYFUSS

Richard Dreyfuss is currently channeling the genius of Albert Einstein eight times a week at  Hartford TheaterWorks in a new work by Mark St. Germain "Relativity."  For Dreyfuss, the part is an act of love, just one example of his dedication to his craft, one that he has pursued from the time he was nine and a half years old when his family moved to Los Angeles.

On Sunday night, Dreyfuss took time out from his busy schedule to share his thoughts about his career, with insights into his psyche and into his films and stage career.  He was interviewed by the theater's Producing Associate Taneisha Duggan and Award Winning filmmaker Pedro Bermudez in TheaterWorks' intimate space at 233 Pearl Street, Hartford for a crowd of interested attendees.  Using the framework of five of his films, hand chosen by the star, Dreyfuss expounded on his philosophy of life and his work ethic.

He is understandably proud of "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," one of his early works which he termed "the greatest role ever for a young actor."  He confesses wanted the"role so bad I could spit." The part is of "a young kid raised so he misunderstands what he is taught and has no ethics at the end.  It's a great complex story and I was only 26."  He is proud that the film took first place as the best Canadian film ever made.

For Dreyfuss, acting is all he ever wanted to do.  His mother's advice: don't just talk about it, do it.  He admits that everything on stage is make believe and he seeks to find the "nobility" in acting, its deeper meaning.  At age 15, he was in awe when he saw John Gielgud perform, so much so that he went to his dressing room after the performance just to say "thank you." Gielgud, who did Shakespeare's "The Ages of Man," changed the younger man's life by his fantastic acting skills.  Two decades later, Dreyfuss approached him to play a part in a show he had written "Funny You Don't Look 200" and he accepted.  He was clearly a childhood hero.

Dreyfus takes credit for his life and his decisions and "knew I was going to make it."

He confesses that "I live in a constant sense of happiness and completion," which he wishes others could say.  He works and he enjoys it, and is in control of his own destiny.  He does wish, however, that theater paid what films do and he tries to balance them both. He feels, however, that no art "hits you harder, darker or quicker than theater," which is why he is enjoying his role as Einstein so much.  He has even studied the man and his mind long before he secured the part.

He calls Steven Spielberg "a gem," only one of a handful of directors to earn that accolade.  He admits he won the Oscar when he was too young, just 30, and too soon, for "The Goodbye Girl." Being on "the hunt," is better than the achievement. To Dreyfuss, acting is a "house of pretense that builds truth in art."  To him, "comedy is a mitzvah, a gift, one that scraps away the sadness."  He should know, as he has played roles in both genres to great acclaim.

In the film "W," he played Dick Cheney and he feels that "inside of us is Hitler and Jesus and the actor finds both the meanness and the kindness inside of himself."  Calling actors "some of the bravest people I know," he also modestly admits "I'm really good at what I do."  He credits the study of improvisation with giving him a good grounding in what it means to act, write and direct all in one package.

After discussing many of his films, like "Mr. Holland's Opus," "What About Bob?," "Jaws," and "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," he became serious when he broached a topic near and dear to his heart: the teaching of civics in the classroom.  He took four years of his life to attend Oxford University and he is impassioned about the need to educate our youth.  "If I could bring back the teaching of civics, I'd be one happy dude."  His love of his country and the current political arena make him even more dedicated to this cause.  He urged the audience members to get involved.

In conclusion, Richard Dreyfuss admitted, "I've had a blessed life, one that is reflected in my principles and ethics.  I am the luckiest actor in America."

GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO "FROSTY THE SNOWMAN"

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a warm hearted tale of that jolly perennial favorite: Frosty the Snowman.  The town of Chestnut Hills is getting ready for the festivities and the children have just been dismissed from school for the much anticipated Christmas break of two weeks.  What should they do first?  Go shopping for presents at the mall?  Gretchen (Lisa DeAngelis) and her BFF Trudy (Chelsea Dacey) are all for getting our their Christmas list but they are vetoed by Gretchen's brother Tallen (Mark Tyler Joy) and his good friend Jeremiah (Mackenzie Julius Sherrod).  They agree to build a snowman instead and what a snowman it is!

The Downtown Cabaret Children's Theatre Company of Bridgeport is happy to welcome you to "Frosty the Snowman" by Artistic Director Phill Hill weekends until Thursday, December 29.

Once the children team up to create a winter figure in ice, strange things begin to happen.  Lance Anthony's Frosty is jovial and full of fun and with his magic hat firmly in place he is ready to make everything merry.   Plans come to an abrupt halt when, however,  the Mayor of Chestnut Hills, the honorable Mayor Crabtree, brought to life by a cantankerous and crabby T. Sean Maher, decides he dislikes the holiday so much that he will banish it. 

The mayor's assistant, a most agreeable Miss Gooseberry played by Lynette Marshall, can't get her boss to change his mind.  As of this moment, Christmas is cancelled as well as Christmas vacation, future weekends and all of summer vacation too.  What are the kids to do?  How will Frosty save the day, if it can be rescued at all?

With songs like "Don't Stop Me Now," "Taking Care of Christmas," "We're Not Going to Take It" and a rousing "Stayin' Alive" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You" finale, the mood roller coasters from happy to sad, to upset to elated, as the Christmas spirit rouses to save the day.  T. Sean Maher does triple duty as the Mayor, the choreographer and the director.

For tickets ($23, children $19 ), call the Downtown Children's Cabaret,  263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport at       203-576-1636, opt. 0 or online at www.MyCabaret.org. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at noon and 2:30 p.m. as well as Wednesday and Thursday, December 28 and 29 at 4 p.m. Don't forget to pack goodies to share at your table or have a birthday party for the kiddies.

Grab your coat and get your hat, bundle up the kiddies, and go to the sunny side of the street where magical snowmen and inventive children work together to assure that the holiday is not forgotten.