MARK AUERBACH
It’s Almost Summer!
Chester Theatre Company’s 25th Season
The Chester Theatre Company’s 25th season offers four small plays that pack a big wallop. On a small stage in Chester’s Town Hall, Artistic Director Byam Stevens has programmed a collection of outstanding plays from regional theatres and Off-Broadway stages.
“While we’re known for producing theatre with high-quality acting, directing and production, I have always viewed Chester Theatre Company as a writers’ theatre,” says Artistic Director Byam Stevens. “Good writing is the bedrock of good theatre. Without a quality script, you can’t produce theatre that has a lasting impact. We’re marking our 25th anniversary with compelling scripts from playwrights across the spectrum of acclaim – from the eminent Caryl Churchill to the emerging Jessica Dickey.”
Debra Jo Ruff appears in Chester during the Chester Theatre Company’s 25th season. (Photo courtesy of Barrington Stage Company)
The menu includes: “Madagascar”, the haunting mystery by J.T. Rogers (June 25-July 6); Sharr White’s sharp comedy “Annapurna” (July 10-20); Caryl Churchill’s futuristic thriller “A Number” (July 30-August 10) and Jessica Dickey’s transformative one-woman show “The Amish Project” (August 14-24).
Of note: Debra Jo Ruff from TV’s “That 70’s Show” stars in “Madagascar”. Ruff recently played Dr. Ruth Westheimer in the Barrington Stage’s and Hartford TheatrerWorks’ “Becoming Dr. Ruth”, which transferred Off-Broadway. “Annapurna”’s playwright, Sharr White was represented on Broadway this year with “The Snow Geese”, which brought Mary Louise Parker back to New York. “The Other Place”, his other play, had an award-winning Broadway run with Laurie Metcalf starring. “The Amish Project” tells the story of the Nickel Mines schoolhouse shooting, as witnessed by the townspeople. Allison McLemore plays all the characters in the one-person show.
For tickets: 413-354-7771 or www.chestertheatre.org.
Nicole Lewis as Paulette and Courtney Hammond as Elle Woods star in “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at Connecticut Repertory Theatre. (Photo by Gerry Goodstein)
Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s Nutmeg Summer Season
Musicals and comedy are in Storrs for you this summer. The Connecticut Repetory Theatre’s 2014 Summer Season on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs includes the blockbuster musicals “A Chorus Line” (June 5-14), and “Gypsy” (July 10-20). Sandwiched in between is Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” (June 19-29). The trio of plays portray theatre life onstage, offstage, and backstage.
“A Chorus Line” chronicles a group of Broadway singers and dancers auditioning for a chorus role in a new musical. Composer Marvin Hamlisch and director choreographer Michael Bennett leapt to global fame with this singluar sensation of a musical. “The Sunshine Boys” is classic Simon comedy about the reunion of two vaudevillians (played by Jerry Adler of “The Sopranos” and Richard Kline of “Three’s Company”) who were a beloved comedy duo onstage and major “Bickersons” off-stage. “Gypsy” is the story of Rose Hovick, pushy domineering stage mother of Gypsy Rose Lee and June Havoc.
All performances take place at the The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, which offers air-conditioned comfort and convenient free parking.
For tickets: 860-486-2113 or www.crt.uconn.edu.
Keep in Mind…
***Una Bella Notte, the City Stage & Symphony Hall Gala features the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy to benefit these important and unique venues on April 26. An Italian dinner featuring the wines of Rome, Venice, and Florence kicks off the evening, which includes a performance by “O Sole Trio”, three musicians performing classics and jazz with an Italian flavor. For details: 413-788-7033 or www.citystage.symphonyhall.com.
***Legally Blonde: The Musical“ plays Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Storrs (April 24-May 4). Omigod, you guys. Courtney Hammond stars as Elle Woods, and David Adkins, often seen on Berkshires area stages is her law professor. Gerry McIntyre directs and choreographs. For tickets: 860-486-2113 or www.crt.uconn.edu.
***Shakespeare Family Style. Shakespeare & Company presents “Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped a World”, a whirlwind tour through the life, times and works of William Shakespeare. A terrific event for the whole family, “Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped a World” includes scenes and monologues from many of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, including “Hamlet” and “Romeo and Juliet”, with a little clowning and sword-fighting to add to the excitement. Performance dates in Lenox through April 27. For tickets: 413-637-3353 or www.shakespeare.org
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
