Joseph Harrison - Page 10

The art of creation, whether it be a beautiful painting, a poem, or a piece of clothing can be a very personal experience. The artist expresses herself through each stroke of the pen or flick of the paintbrush and aims to capture the world as she sees it or as she would like it to be. But creation, like life, can be as messy as it is beautiful, as flawed as it is perfect, and as simple as it is magnificent. Such is the life of Esther Mills, the character at the center of Pulitzer Prize winner, Lynn Nottage's play, INTIMATE APPAREL, which is now playing at West Hartford's Playhouse on Park.

There is something magical and monumental happening on the stage of the Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT. Granted, theatre is inherently magical by nature, but in the Warner Stage Company's production of ONCE, something extra, something ethereal, and something heart-wrenchingly beautiful is taking place. I feel privileged to have been able to witness it.

There is a lot about the universe that we don't know. Could we be living in just one version of a life with infinite possibilities? And in that scenario what stays constant and what changes? What is the impact of a small change in tone or a choice of words to the outcomes of life? These are just some of the questions being brilliantly addressed in Theaterworks' production of Nick Payne's mind (and universe) bending play CONSTELLATIONS.

Many children dream of what it would be like to live in a unique and magical place. They dream of castles and princesses and, yes, even dragons. For most, living in a place like I have described only exists in those childhood dreams. But for one young girl, this fantasy was her life. That little girl was Sharon Washington, who grew up to become an award-winning stage and screen actress and who has created a play, FEEDING THE DRAGON, now playing at Hartford Stage, that conveys the story of her unique and colorful life.

It is rare these days to have the chance to see an all new, original musical comedy. But audiences in Hartford will have the chance to do just that when SOMETHING ROTTEN!, the Tony nominated Broadway musical plays the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford January 30 February 1. Playing Bea, eager and enthusiastic wife of Nick Bottom, will be Maggie Lakis, who sat down with me to talk about this hilarious and entertaining show.

'Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion', states salon owner and southern sage Truvy Jones in Robert Harling's STEEL MAGNOLIAS. No line describes better the audience's experience while viewing this hilarious and touching play. This is especially the case in this, the latest offering at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford. A cast of six stellar women bring these residents of Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana to vivid life and nimbly share the highs and lows of life in this colorful small town.

It is always a thrill when you discover a hidden gem in your own backyard. This was the experience I had last night attending my first show by the Connecticut Theatre Company in New Britain, Connecticut. It is appropriate that my first review for this company would be for RAGTIME, the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical (with book by Terrence McNally) that includes a variety of themes including a focus on new experiences, changes in perspective, and listening to new music . I am thrilled to report that CTC's RAGTIME is a powerful and high-quality telling of the classic E.L. Doctorow tale. It hits all the right notes (literally and figuratively) and may be one of the best ensemble casts I have seen on a community theatre stage in Connecticut.

It's a story most of us have heard or witnessed before. Crotchety and greedy old Ebenezer Scrooge, complaining about the poor, turning down the invitation of his nephew to Christmas dinner, and begrudgingly giving Bob Cratchit the day off for Christmas. We fondly remember past portrayals of Scrooge face to face with the ghost of his ex-partner Jacob Marley, flying through the past and present with amiable spirits and having a change of heart after coming face to face with his own death. At Hartford Stage this season, the story comes to life once again in the form of A CHRISTMAS CAROL A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS. The classic story by Charles Dickens and as adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson is an annual tradition for Hartford Stage, and one that takes on new life in this, its 20th anniversary.

Christmas is a season of traditions. From the decorations that have their certain place on the mantel, to the cookies like grandma used to make, people thrive on the familiar during the holidays. This goes for films and TV specials as well. Who doesn't pause to see if George Bailey will save the savings and loan, if Ralphie will actually get his Red Ryder BB Gun, or if Rudolph will finally prove his red nose can do great things. No matter how many viewings, there is something about the characters of these beloved Christmas programs that feels familiar and right. But have you ever wondered what happened to these larger than life characters after their time in the red and green spotlight? These are the questions that TheaterWorks in Hartford hilariously tackles in CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS.

Plucky red-headed orphan, shaggy stray dog, a grouchy, but loveable billionaire and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Sound familiar? I am, of course, talking about the musical ANNIE, by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin which is based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie . This classic musical, which has been successfully presented around the world for the past forty years (the show premiered on Broadway in 1977) comes to the Broad Brook Opera House stage in Broad Brook, CT in the latest production by the Opera House Players

What happens when you take a holiday classic like Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, set it in Connecticut and include Connecticut historical figures such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, P.T. Barnum, and Mark Twain as the Christmas ghosts? You get A CONNECTICUT CHRISTMAS CAROL, an all-new musical take on the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, with a book by LJ Fecho and a score by Michael O'Flaherty that begins performances at Goodspeed's Terris Theatre on November 17. Directing this premiere musical production is Broadway actor and director, Hunter Foster, who returns to the Goodspeed to bring to life this exciting new take on the classic tale. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hunter to talk about the show, what it's like working on a new production like this, and his directing style.

Why is tonight different than all other nights? A question that is asked around the tables of Jewish households on Passover around the world every year. It is a question that causes those gathered to consider the suffering of their ancestors in Egypt, at the hand of Pharoah and to consider the little Pharoahs in their own lives. This question is asked for the first time by one family wrought with secrets, guilt and a need for answers in the world premiere of Sarah Gancher's SEDER at Hartford Stage.

'Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!' These inspiring words were written by a young Anne Frank in the diary that would go on to become the most famous diary in the world. Her optimism, her spirit, and her joy for life, even in the harshest of situations, has inspired so many since they were captured on the page. And, though young Anne did not live to see her own potential become reality, she left behind a first-person account that tells her story and the intricacies of the daily existence of eight people hidden away in Amsterdam during the height of World War II. Bringing those stories to life on the stage is what Playhouse on Park in West Hartford has done in their latest production of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK which has been adapted by Wendy Kesselman to include newly discovered writings and survivor accounts of life during Nazi rule.

Over the last few centuries, people from all over the world have dreamed of a better life and sought out opportunities to live that life to the fullest. For many, a dream of a better life in America caused them to give up everything familiar, leave friends, family and their way of life to try and make it in this land of freedom. Whether refugees from violence and war or immigrants looking for greater opportunities, for so long, people have looked to America as a beacon of hope and a place to make a new beginning. And just like those immigrants who came here with a second chance to live their lives to the fullest, RAGS, the musical that played only four performances on Broadway when it premiered in 1986, has been given a second chance to share the story of the immigrant experience in a new and exciting way on the Goodspeed Opera House stage. And boy what a second chance! Goodspeed's RAGS is a brilliant, heartwarming and powerful tale that everyone should have the chance to experience.

Ever wonder if you might have an unknown rich relative out there sitting on a fortune that could one day be yours? That is exactly what Monty Navarro, the main character in A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER discovers, and the lengths he goes to ensure his inheritance and title is secure, is surprising and shocking, yet absolutely hilarious. Playing Monty when A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER stops in Waterbury at the Palace Theater October 20 - 21 will be Blake Price, who sat down with me to talk about this unconventional, yet entertaining show.

LES MISERABLES is one of those musicals that people simply love. Over the years the story of young students staging a revolution in Paris has become a pop culture staple, so audiences should be excited, then, to know that the Bushnell in Hartford, CT will play host to a new touring production of the show October 3 - 8. Playing the scheming Madame Thenardier when LES MISERABLES stops in Hartford will be Allison Guinn, who sat down with me to talk about playing her dream role in this iconic musical.

Of all of Shakespeare's comedies, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is one that often rises to the top as a favorite for many theater-goers. Perhaps it is because of the universal themes of love and frolic, or maybe because it is a mix of the fantastical and ordinary, or perhaps because it is just downright funny and entertaining. But, whatever the reason one might have for loving this popular play by the Bard, the season opening production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Hartford Stage fulfills them all (and then some.)

As a young child, one of my favorite things to do was sit in front of the television, probably with a bowl of sugary cereal, and see what my friends who lived on Sesame Street were learning (and teaching me) that day. I consider the lessons I learned in my living room as the foundation that my future education was built upon. But what happens when characters like that grow up? Do they still rely upon each other for support and to help work out how to navigate the growing complexity of life? Do they still have helpful lessons to share? And would their style (and humor) grow up with them as well? It is this concept that grounds Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty's Tony Award winning musical, AVENUE Q, which opens the 9th season at West Hartford's Playhouse on Park.

We spend a large percentage of our lives working in some way or another. Whether someone works in a trade (Ironworker, Stonemason), an office (Project Manager, Receptionist), in the home, or anywhere in-between, working is something that is an integral part of who we are. For some, a person's profession drives their identity, and for others, a job is just something to pay the bills. In all cases, what we do all day and how we feel about what we do serves as a fascinating study, and one that author, Studs Terkel took on over 40 years ago in his 1974 book Working. In the book, Mr. Terkel interviewed over one hundred American workers of all professions (from Fireman to Hooker) and asked them to talk about their jobs. Soon after, Stephen Schwartz (WICKED, GODSPELL) and Nina Faso adapted the book and collected a stellar group of musicians, including James Taylor, Craig Carnelia and Mary Rodgers to help set some of those stories to music. Thus was born WORKING: A MUSICAL, which the Opera House Players in Broad Brook are performing as the opening show to their 2017-2018 season.

As Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky once said "To regret the past, to hope in the future, and never to be satisfied with the present: that is what I spend my whole life doing". These words, from arguably the greatest Russian composer of all time, summarize well the life of this conflicted, yet brilliant musician. His life as an artist struggling with his own sexuality in 19th century, Czarist Russia, was not that far from what life would be like for him in the Russia of 2017,  especially with recent efforts by the Russian government to ban distribution of materials promoting LGBT relationships - a comparison that serves as an undertone to the play. Tchaikovsky's life story, full of struggle and beautiful music comes to brilliant life at Hartford Stage in Hershey Felder's production of OUR GREAT TCHAIKOVSKY.