by Mark Auerbach
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” Returns to Hartford
National Touring Company. (L-R) Kristen Beth Williams as Sibella Hallward, Kevin Massey as Monty Navarro and Adrienne Eller as Phoebe D’Ysquith in a scene from “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.” Photo by Joan Marcus.
Four years after its world premiere at Hartford Stage, and three years after it opened on Broadway, and picked up four Tony Awards including “Best Musical” and “Best Director” for Darko Tresnjak, Hartford Stage’s Artistic Director, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder returns to Hartford, October 25-30 at The Bushnell.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is the musical comedy, with book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman (Tony Award winner for this production) and the music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak. Based on the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman, the musical is the story of one Monty Navarro, a distant heir to the D’Ysquith family fortune. In order to claim the fortune for his own, he must rise in the line of succession by getting rid of those in line in front of him (all played by John Rapson).
Many of the creative team involved with A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, members of the Hartford Stage family, are also involved with Anastasia, the Broadway-bound musical which had its premiere last Spring in Hartford. Along with director Darko Tresnjak, choreographer Peggy Hickey, set designer Alexander Dodge, costume designer Linda Cho (also a Tony Award winner for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), and Aaron Rhyne, projections designer, are involved with both productions.
For details: 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org.
Marsha Harbison, Longmeadow resident, and violinist at Longmeadow Chamber Music Society Series
Longmeadow Chamber Music Society Announces Season
The Longmeadow Chamber Music Society will present three chamber music concerts at the First Church of Christ on the Longmeadow Green, according to co-founder Dr. William Harbison. The Society, founded in 1983, presents chamber music from many periods performed by professional musicians who live and work in the Pioneer Valley.
The season opens on October 21 with music for organ and string quartet featuring works by Handel, Respighi, and other solos for organ. Longmeadow native Griffin McMahon will be organ soloist, joined by Marsha Harbison and Romina Kostare on violin, Ronald Gorevic on viola, and Boris Kogan on cello.
Griffin McMahon, Longmeadow native, organ soloist at the Longmeadow Chamber Music Society Series.
On January 29, music for horns and strings are featured with music by Beethoven, Mozart, and Gunther Schuller. The season concludes on April 21 with music for piano and strings.featuring violinists Joel Pitchon and Marsha Harbison, violist Ronald Gorevic and cellist Voicy Pelletier.
You can generally get tickets at the door. For details: http://www.longmeadowcms.org/
Cats in Hats: Illustrations by the Western Massachusetts Illustrators’ Guild at The Quadrangle.
Over forty original works centered around the common theme of “cats in hats,” in honor of Dr. Seuss’ most famous work in children’s literature are on display in a new exhibit at the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts at the Springfield Museums through next April 30.
The Western Massachusetts Illustrators’ Guild includes some of the region’s best-known illustrators, including Diane deGroat, Ruth Sanderson, and Jane Yolen, among others. Their artistic styles range from children’s books to fantasy art to editorial pieces and beyond, and this diversity of methods and the size of its membership make the group a dynamic and active resource for illustration.
Next summer, the Springfield Museums will open The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss, the first museum to honor Springfield native Theodor Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss).
For details: 413-263-6800. or www.springfieldmuseums.org
Goodspeed Musicals Announce 2017 Season
Goodspeed Musicals’ upcoming season will include: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Richard Morris, Dick Scanlan and Jeanine Tesori’s award-winning adaptation of the motion picture that starred Julie Andrews, and launched Sutton Foster’s Broadway career.Thoroughly Modern Millie plays April 21-July 2, 2017, on The Goodspeed stage in East Haddam, CT. Also slated for Goodspeed will be Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (July 14-September 28); and a revival of Rags, Joseph Stein, Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz’s sweeping musical story of an immigrant family in New York City (October 6-December 10). At Goodspeed’s Chester theatre, the line-up includes: Zack Zadek’s new musical comedy Deathless (June 2-July 2); followed by Daniel Zaitchik’s Darling Grenadine, a show that blends classic MGM musicals with a touch of romantic comedy (August 18-September 17); and A Connecticut Christmas Carol, a new adaptation of the Dickens holiday classic (November 17-December 24). For details: www.goodspeed.org.
Keep in Mind…
The Misanthrope, Moliere’s comedy, is reimagined as a backstage story on a TV sitcom set, as. adapted by Constance Congdon and directed by Mary Corinne Miller. October 19-29. Rand Theatre, UMass Theatre Department,. Amherst. MA. For details: 413-545-2511, 800-999-UMAS or http://www.fineartscenter.com/
Karrin Allyson headlines the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival.
The Pittsfield City Jazz Festival showcases The Karrin Allyson Trio and the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors on October 15, at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA. Allyson is an extraordinary musician, who moves with ease and authority, from the Great American Songbook of Gershwin and Porter to the Great American Jazzbook. Her trio appears with America’s Big Band, the U.S. Army’s 19-piece Jazz Ambassadors, who have received worldwide acclaim performing America’s original art form. The evening will also feature the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble, in residence at Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield. Produced by the Berkshire Theatre Group. For details: 413-997-4444, or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.
The Havana Cuba All-Stars bring their Cuban Nights concert to The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA on October 20.The Havana Cuba All-Stars is a band comprised of Cuba’s greatest and most prominent musicians, and is devoted to promoting the entire tapestry of Cuban music. The origin of the Havana Cuba All-Stars began when it was created to exemplify the great musical traditions of the Cuban people. This is their debut tour in the United States and Canada. For details: 413- 997-4444 or www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org
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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.
