Terrence Mann
by Mark G. Auerbach
Terrence Mann Named Connecticut Repertory Theatre Artistic Director
Three-time Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann will return to Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Storrs as the Artistic Director of the theatre’s popular Nutmeg Summer Series. Mann previously appeared onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre over the course of the last several seasons starring in productions of My Fair Lady, Man of La Mancha, Peter Pan, and Les Misérables, in which he reprised his performance in the role of Javert. He previously directed CRT Nutmeg Summer Series productions of Les Misérables and Pirates of Penzance.
Mann made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical Barnum, but his breakout performance came in the role of Rum Tum Tugger in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. Mann received his first Tony Award nomination for his work as Javert in Les Misérables, his second for his performance as the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and his most recent nomination came in 2013 for his portrayal of King Charles in Pippin. Mann’s many Broadway credits include starring and featured roles in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Rags, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The Rocky Horror Show, The Addams Family, Finding Neverland, and Tuck Everlasting.
For information on Connecticut Repertory Theatre: http://www.crt.uconn.edu
Nutcracker Suite and Spicy
Nutcracker Suite and Spicy
CONNetic Dance’s Nutcracker Suite and Spicy, a fun-for-all-ages update of the holiday classic, runs from December 9-11, at the Wadsworth Atheneum’s Aetna Theater in Hartford, CT.
A quirky, innovative production created and choreographed by CONNetic Dance company director Carolyn Paine, Nutcracker Suite and Spicy breaks the traditional mold on a timeless story, and breathes into it new life. Carolyn Paine’s credits as a dancer, actor, and choreographer include ABC New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Italian Vogue, national commercials, and numerous Off-Broadway productions. Her trademark sense of humor adds extra spice to the production’s creative choreography, which features everything from tap dancing soldiers, to acrobatic dancers gliding across giant snowballs, to a sassy hip hop Sugar Rum Cherry.
Performances will be held as part of the Wadsworth’s Festival of Trees and Traditions. Nutcracker Suite and Spicy features the company’s signature style of dance fusion, including ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and hip hop – all seasoned with Carolyn Paine’s trademark sense of humor. The production is proud to again feature a beautiful backdrop design by artist Nina Salazar which depicts Hartford as a magical winter wonderland.
CONNetic Dance is an ensemble of talented and diverse professional dancers based out of Hartford, CT who are also committed to inspiring the youth of the city. Nearly half of the cast of professional dancers are Hartford natives, who attended the Academy of the Arts in Hartford. Dancers have been teaching outreach programs at Hartford area Schools throughout the summer and fall and the company is
UMass Jazz Ensemble
proud to offer free tickets to this production to any student in Hartford Public Schools.
For details: 860-251-9194 or www.conneticdance.com
Plan Ahead
Tanglewood has announced its 2017 summer season of classical and contemporary music running June 18 through Labor Day Some of the program highlights include: Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in Jaws in concert on June 18; the Mark Morris Dance Company June 28-29; The Boston Pops Sondheim on Sondheim concert on July 8; Tanglewood on Parade on August 1; and John Williams Film Night with The Boston Pops on August 19. Tickets go on sale on January 29. The Popular Artists concerts will be announced later. For details: 888-266-1200 or www.tanglewood.org.
Keep in Mind…
Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus
The UMass Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jeffrey Holmes, performs new works and holiday favorites including Stan Kenton’s Twelve Days of Christmas on December 6 at Bowker Auditorium on the UMass campus in Amherst. For details: 413-545-2511 or 800-999-UMAS or www.fineartscenter.com/musicanddance
The Nutcracker gets a traditional spin in The Albany Berkshire Ballet production, which tours New England this time of year. Local performances are upcoming at Pittsfield’s Colonial Theatre on December 3-4; and Springfield Symphony Hall on December 10 with two performances; Madeline Cantarella Culpo is the company’s artistic director. For details: http://berkshireballet.org/nutcracker-tour-schedule/
The Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus, now in its 5th season, will perform its annual holiday concert, A Wish Come True!, on December 2-4, at the Aetna Theater at The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford. The 50-member chorus will be accompanied this year by a percussion ensemble. A Wish Come True! will include “Festival Gloria,” “O, Come All Ye Faithful,” “Jingle Bells,” and many more holiday and seasonal favorites. The Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus A Cappella ensemble, On That Note! – led by Music Director Justin Gazard – will
Hartford Symphony Holiday Cirque Spectacular
perform “What Child is This?,” “White Winter Hymnal,” and “Last Christmas.” For details: www.hgmc.org
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra performs its annual Holiday Cirque Spectacular, with Maestra Carolyn Kuan and the Cirque de la Symphonie acrobatic troupe. This is one of the most innovative orchestral holiday pops around, combining traditional seasonal music with some high-flying pyrotechnics. The dazzler takes place on December 17 at The Bushnell. For details: 860-987-5900 or www.harttfordsymphony.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.
