by Mark G. Auerbach
Tina Fabrique of Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s Newsies
Newsies Next at Connecticut Rep
Tony Award-nominee Christopher d’Amboise returns to Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s Nutmeg Summer Series as director and choreographer for Newsies, the theatrical adaptation of the Disney movie, playing July 6-16 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the UConn campus in Storrs, CT.
With a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein, Newsies, set in 1899 New York City, tells the story of the famous Newsboy Strike. Originally a movie, Newsies was adapted for Broadway, where it became a big hit. picked up numerous awards, and enjoyed a successful run and subsequent national tour. Young Westfield, MA actor Josh Burrage was seen in that tour.
Jim Schubin of Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s Newsies.
Christopher d’Amboise has created numerous ballets for international companies alongside having written, directed, and choreographed The Studio. He began his career as a principal dancer in the New York City Ballet. d’Amboise received a Tony Award Nomination for Best Featured Actor for his performance in the Broadway cast of Song and Dance. He choreographed My Fair Lady at Connecticut Repertory Theatre.
The cast stars Jim Schubin, Tyler Jones, Richard R. Henry, and Tina Fabrique, the latter stopping the show of every performance of last season’s How to Succeed. Jim Schubin comes to CRT from the national tour of The Sound of Music, and he’s appeared at Barrington Stage and on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Richard R. Henry has performed in several CRT shows, including 1776, Twelfth Night, The Sunshine Boys, and The Music Man. He recently played Sam Bick in Yale Repertory Theatre’s Assassins. Tyler Jones performed in the National Tour of Book of Mormon.
And, the UConn Dairy Bar is close to the theatre. Arts Beat plans to review this summer’s ice cream flavors with the help of two expert ice cream samplers, a high school math teacher and a condo pool lifeguard.. For a list of current flavors: http://dining.uconn.edu/uconn-dairy-bar/
For details: 860-486-2113 or crt.uconn.edu
Mary Testa of TheaterWorks’ Raging Skillet.
Raging Skillet To Sizzle at TheaterWorks
If you’re a foodie, you’ve probably heard of Chef Rossi, New York’s “Jewish lesbian punk-rock caterer”. TheaterWorks presents the world premiere of Hartford playwright Jacques Lamarre’s play Raging Skillet, based on Chef Rossi’s memoir, July 20-August 27. The story essentially goes: “When Rossi’s mother discovers the microwave, home cooked meals become a thing of the past. What starts as Rossi’s rebellion against her Orthodox Jewish mom ends with her becoming New York’s #1 punk-rock caterer.” John Simpkins directs.
Mary Testa, the two-time Tony Award nominee stars as Chef Rossi .She’s been seen in Broadway productions of On The Town, 42nd Street, and A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum; she’s also been associated with musicals of William Finn, who spends a lot of time at Pittsfield’s Barrington Stage.
Lamarre has written I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti, which has been produced nationally since its TheaterWorks premiere; a playlet for TheaterWorks’ Christmas on The Rocks, and shows, films and videos for Varla Jean Merman.
For details: 860-527-7838 or www.theaterworkshartford.org
Aaron Schakelford, UMass Fine Arts Center
Of Note
Aaron Shackelford has been named as the new programming director for the UMass Fine Arts Center’s Center Series. He comes to Amherst from Carolina Performing Arts, based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While he was there, he was responsible for creating residencies and educational events with compelling artists from the world over.
On-Stage
Charlie Seidenburg, the Press Rep at Barrington Stage, will star as Florenz Ziegfeld in the Hemlock Theatre production of Funny Girl, with performances in Staten Island in August. And Frank Mack, former administrator at Connecticut Repertory Theatre, and an arts administration professor at UConn, played John Hopkins in the CRT’s recent produiction of 1776.
Keep in Mind…
Arts Beat Radio talks The Music Man on Friday, June 3O at 8AM on 89.5FM/WSKB. Host Mark G. Auerbach interviews Berkshire Theatre Group’s Travis G. Daly and Mark Gionfriddo, director and music director of this beloved Broadway classic, best known for “76 Trombones”. Tune in live on the airwaves, on Comcast ch. 15, www.wskb.org or at www.westfieldtv.org
Sevenars opens its summer season on July 9 in Worthington, MA with the Sevenars founding Schrade-James Family musicians–four pianists, David James, Randolph Schrade, Rorianne Schrade, and Lynelle James, and cellist Christopher James. This chamber music program will include works by Bach, Paganini, Brahms, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Still, Massenet, Gershwin, Grainger, and more. For details: www.sevenars.org.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), a zany recap of all things Shakespeare in 97 minutes or less, gets a return engagement at West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park through July 30. Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield created this funny romp with the Bard. Sean Harris, Richard Hollman, and Hanna Cheek star. Tom Ridgely directs. For details: 860-523-5900 x10 or www.playhouseonpark.org
Sgt. Pepper at 50 at Talcott Mountain Music Festival.
The Hartford Symphony Pops and the Classical MysteryTour Beatles tribute band celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ iconic Sgt. Pepper’s at the Talcott Mountain Music Festival in Simsbury, CT on July 7. Adam Boyles conducts a program that includes “With a Little Help From My Friends,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “She’s Leaving Home,” “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite,” “When I’m 64,” and “A Day in the Life.” and more. This is a rain or shine event. For details: 860-987-5900 or www.hartfordsymphony.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. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
