Connecticut Theater Reviews Page 3

Review: SIX: THE MUSICAL at The Bushnell
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - January 18, 2023

What did our critic think of SIX: THE MUSICAL at The Bushnell?Six: The Musical is a refreshingly self-actualized, informative, fun, empowering, modern feminist musical that is not to be missed. Bring your bestie and expect to have a blast....

Review: THE UGLY DUCKLING at Downtown Cabaret Theatre
by Sean Fallon - January 08, 2023

This comedic musical stage adaptation of a classic children’s story has been brilliantly written and directed by Andrea Pane, who also performs in it, showing that in addition to his already well established versatile first-rate acting, he is also phenomenally gifted as a playwright and as a directo...

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL EXPERIENCE at Fairfield Center Stage
by Sean Fallon - December 11, 2022

On Saturday, December 10, at 8:00 PM, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my absolute favorite annual shows, A CHRISTMAS CAROL EXPERIENCE, as put on by Fairfield Center Stage. This annual production is easily the show that I talk up the most frequently during the year, every year. I am also excited ...

Review: EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD at Castle Craig Players
by Sean Fallon - December 04, 2022

On Saturday, December 3, 2022, I had the pleasure of seeing EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, which is easily the funniest stage comedy I have seen in the last three years!  It is yet another first-rate Christmas comedy production performed by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memoria...

Review: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Yale Repertory Theatre
by Brooks Appelbaum - October 25, 2022

What did our critic think of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Yale Repertory Theatre? James Bundy, Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre and Dean of Yale School of Drama, often helms the first production of a season, and that production is often a classic play: Tennessee Williams' A STREETCA...

Review: 42ND STREET at Goodspeed Opera House
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - October 22, 2022

Though I’m a huge musical fan, the 1933 film never really made a big impression on me. When I heard 42nd Street was coming to The Goodspeed, I hoped it would change my mind. Spoiler alert: It absolutely did! The timeless musical is a perfect addition to the season. It’s charming and delightful, as w...

Review: FUN HOME at TheaterWorks Hartford
by Brooks Appelbaum - October 19, 2022

What did our critic think of FUN HOME at TheaterWorks Hartford? The musical FUN HOME, based on Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir ('a family tragicomic') won five Tony Awards in 2015, including Best Musical. And Jeanine Tesori (music) and Lisa Kron (book and lyrics) made history by being the first fema...

Review: CALIFORNIA SUITE at Castle Craig Players
by Sean Fallon - October 16, 2022

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, I had the pleasure of seeing Neil Simon’s CALIFORNIA SUITE as performed by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT. CALIFORNIA SUITE is different from a typical Neil Simon play in that rather than being one continuous story, ...

Review: PLAYHOUSE ON PARK'S 14TH SEASON OPENS TO STANDING OVATION WITH LADY DAY at Playhouse On Park
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - October 04, 2022

Have you ever wished that you could go back in time and see your favorite musician in concert? Well, now is your chance at Playhouse on Park. Their 14th season opening was nothing short of spectacular....

Review: SUNSET BOULEVARD at Music Theatre of Connecticut
by Brooks Appelbaum - September 25, 2022

Director Kevin Connors (also the Artistic Director of MTC) has worked wonders adapting big Broadway shows to fit, literally and artistically, into his intimate theatre space, which has the audience on three sides of a postage stamp stage. His GYPSY was superb, as he understood that this is essential...

Review: THE EXONERATED at Ridgefield Theater Barn
by Sean Fallon - September 08, 2022

On Thursday, September 8th, I had the pleasure of seeing THE EXONERATED at The Ridgefield Theater Barn, in Ridgefield, CT.  This show is amazing, based on true stories, and sends some deeply impacting messages that touch the emotions to the core, in a good way. It opens awareness in the minds of the...

Review: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: A NEW MUSICAL at The Goodspeed
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - August 17, 2022

Brand new musical Anne of Green Gables is at the Goodspeed now through September 4, 2022. The classic story is brought to life in a heartfelt and clever folk-rock musical with beautifully developed and charming characters. he cast is absolute perfection and I would fight anyone who dares to change i...

Review: SECONDO at Theaterworks Hartford
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - August 15, 2022

Featuring a picture frame with perfect timing and a judgmental Alexa, Secondo is a heartwarming and clever comedy not to be missed. ...

Review: CLUE at Castle Craig Players
by Sean Fallon - July 31, 2022

The Castle Craig Players have done it, with a first-rate cast, in Meriden, CT! On Saturday, July 30th, I had the pleasure of seeing a show that I had been looking forward to ever since it was first announced. As someone who has been a fan of the board game Clue since 1985, Clue the movie since 198...

Review: PIPPIN Spreads Sunshine, Bringing the Party to West Hartford at Playhouse On Park
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - July 28, 2022

What did our critic think of Pippin Playhouse on Park? It's the final production in the Playhouse on Park 13th season and runs from July 6th - August 21st. Come for the show, stay for the great dancing, fun music, and comedy....

Review: THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Musicals At Richter
by Sean Fallon - July 24, 2022

On Saturday, July 23rd, I had the pleasure of seeing a truly first-rate production, a phenomenal performance of one of the greatest musicals ever written!  Musicals at Richter, in Danbury, continues with their legacy of providing audiences what we yearn for in live theater, the right shows with the ...

Review: Oh, What a Night! JERSEY BOYS Rocks the House at The Palace Theater
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - July 01, 2022

I thoroughly enjoyed the production alongside an equally energetic crowd who delightfully sang along and met the cast with an enthusiastic standing ovation. ...

Review: HAMILTON Brings the Revolution to The Bushnell
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - June 30, 2022

June 22nd through July 10th, The Bushnell is The Room Where It Happens. On Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of seeing the Hamilton National Tour alongside a fully packed house of diehard fans, who bopped along in their seats with delight and delivered a well-deserved standing ovation. I know it’s...

Review: THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL at Fairfield Center Stage
by Sean Fallon - June 18, 2022

I was fascinated from the moment I first heard that Fairfield Center Stage was going to perform a musical called THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, as I did not previously know that such a musical existed.  What I knew, however, is that if it is being put on by Fairfield Center Stage, it is going to be a phenom...

BWW Review: KISS MY AZTEC! at Hartford Stage
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - June 14, 2022

Kiss My Aztec! Is a hilarious musical based on Latin American history “…. Very loosely!” This upbeat show is a real party with entirely original music, bold and bright-colored sets and costuming, as well as an exceptionally multitalented cast that keeps the energy up from start to finish. ...

BWW Review: PETER AND THE STAR CATCHER at Ridgefield Theater Barn
by Sean Fallon - June 04, 2022

On Friday, June 3, I had the pleasure of seeing PETER AND THE STAR CATCHER at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield, CT.  This play with music was written by Rick Elise.  This stellar cast’s talents come alive under the first-rate team of director Katherine Ray, assistant director Rae Janeil Sut...

BWW Review: QUEEN at Long Wharf Theatre
by Brooks Appelbaum - May 31, 2022

QUEEN, by Madhuri Shekar and playing at Long Wharf Theatre through June 5th, is a timely investigation of ideas that centers on women in STEM (who are underrepresented onstage as in life). Unfortunately, cryptic writing and a misguided set design lessen the impact that the production might have achi...

BWW Review: ZOEY'S PERFECT WEDDING at TheaterWorks Hartford
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - May 25, 2022

Zoey’s Perfect Wedding is a hilarious play about love and relationships with a deeper message about the pressures we endure from societal expectations. Set at the most disastrous wedding reception of all time, the title is assuredly ironic, featuring drunken speeches, an incompetent wedding planner ...

BWW Review: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at Shubert Theatre
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - May 20, 2022

The national tour of An American in Paris is making its final stop at Shubert Theatre, New Haven, now through May 21, 2022. Based on the Academy Award winning 1951 film starring Hollywood legends Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, the production features the iconic music of George and Ira Gershwin, includ...

BWW Review: THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS AND CURLEW RIVER at Madison Lyric Stage
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - May 17, 2022

Madison Lyric Stage Presents Double-Feature of Two Rare Works: The Seven Deadly Sins and Curlew River...