Joseph Harrison - Page 24

'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.

With an array of musical influences including musical storytellers like Billy Joel and Tom Waits, French classical composers and gospel music, Daniel Zaitchik's sound was bound to be unique. This recent Ed Kleban award winner brings his new musical DARLING GRENADINE to the Goodspeed's Terris Theatre beginning August 18. The musical, which centers on a jingle composer, Harry, his girlfriend, Louise and their life in Manhattan tells its story with a contemporary but classic MGM musical feel. I had the chance to sit down with Daniel and talk about his inspiration for the show, the creative path it has taken (including a recent workshop at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center), and his own creative process.

When Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! premiered on Broadway in 1943, audiences were introduced to a style of theatre that would soon become a staple of American pop culture - the book musical. The show, borrowing from its pioneer subject matter, itself became a pioneer in the theatrical world, redefining what audiences would come to expect from a Broadway production. It is a wonder, then, that it would take 74 years for Goodspeed Musicals to mount its first production, ever, of this groundbreaking show. And judging by the quality of the show taking the stage each night at the Goodspeed (the second show in its current season), it was definitely worth the wait.

What do you get when you take one part book launch/cooking demonstration, add a heaping helping of auto-biographical comedy, mix in a portion of supernatural Jewish mother guilt and a strong dose of irreverence? In TheaterWorks' world premiere production of Jacques Lamarre's RAGING SKILLET, this recipe adds up to an evening of pure entertainment - one where audiences get their fill of stories, laughs, and if they are lucky, a taste of some of Chef Rossi's signature "anti-catering" dishes.   

It is not often that one gets a peek inside the creation of an iconic piece of art, and even rarer to see that story come to life on stage in a full-fledged Broadway musical. But for fans of the classic tale of Peter Pan, the new musical FINDING NEVERLAND, which is the opening production in The Bushnell's 2017 - 2018 Broadway series, does just that. Based on the Academy Award-winning film by David Magee and the play THE MAN WHO WAS PETER PAN by Allen Knee, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the story of author J.M. Barrie and his relationship with the family that inspired him to write one of the most beloved stories of all time. When FINDING NEVERLAND makes its way to Hartford August 1 - 6, the cast will include Sarah Charles who plays in the ensemble and also understudies the roles of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and Mary Barrie. I had the pleasure of catching up with Sarah and discussing the life of an understudy and her perspective on bringing this beautiful story to life on stage.

"They have measured many a mile to tread a measure with you on this grass." A very appropriate quote from William Shakespeare's comedy LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, which is playing through July 30th on the grounds of St. Joseph's University in West Hartford - a performance of the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival. Appropriate because audiences gather together (on the grass and underneath the beautiful summer sky) on blankets, lawn chairs, and camp chairs to view the outdoor production of the bard's timeless comedy. This experience is not only exciting in terms of the strong production, but also for the unique venue and opportunity to dine/drink al fresco while enjoying a night of theatre.

There are many reasons why people love to hear stories of the underdog making his or her voice heard and creating real change in the world. Sometimes it is because they can relate to the lone voice of reason cutting through the noise, or the brave soul willing to stand up for what's right, regardless of the consequences. But it is often the tale of the struggling souls who raise their voices, take action and change their circumstances for the better that really stand out and strike a chord. And in NEWSIES, the final production of Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) Summer Nutmeg Series, the stage comes alive with the "inspired by real-life" story of how a few young men "seized the day" and made a real difference.

???????Very few people can claim to have seen all 37 of William Shakespeare's plays in their entirety. It would probably take a lifetime to do this, not to mention the fact that some of the more obscure plays are rarely performed. However, if someone wanted to get a flavor for the Bard's entire body of work, presented in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, they need not go any further than Playhouse on Park in West Hartford to catch the final production of their current season - THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED.)

Sardines. Slamming doors. Relationships budding (and burning) before your eyes. A farce within a farce. And laughter, so much laughter. Take all of this and mix it together and you get Michael Frayn's masterpiece of a comedy NOISES OFF, which is currently playing as the Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) second production of their Summer Nutmeg Series.

Looking back at one's childhood with grown-up eyes can be revealing in many ways. Sometimes we understand better the sacrifices our parents made to give us the things they never had. And sometimes, exploring the past helps us find closure, clarity, and a sense of peace. In the Tony Award winning musical, FUN HOME, the character of Alison does just this - peers back at her life and reveals the joy and pain hidden in the past. Based on the acclaimed, autobiographical graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, FUN HOME arrives in Hartford at The Bushnell June 20 - 25. I had the pleasure of catching up with Kally Duling who plays the character of Joan, and who shared her insights on the show and its important message.

It is a staple image of American History - one that every American child learns about in school and one that comes to mind for many as the barbecues fire up and fireworks are prepared for Independence Day on the Fourth of July. I am speaking of the iconic image of the brave founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence. But how often does one think about these men and what they actually might have been like (their quirks, their personalities, their dreams) trying to sort out how to move forward in what had to be a stressful and tumultuous time. This story of the men you know (Franklin, Adams, Jefferson) and some you may not (Rodney, Hall, Dickinson) and the journey they take together to work through conflict and declare their freedom from England comes to brilliant life on stage in the Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) inaugural production of their Summer Nutmeg Series, 1776.

From the very moment audiences enter the theater at Hartford Stage for its final production of the 2016-17 season, George Bernard Shaw's HEARTBREAK HOUSE, it is immediately apparent the evening is going to be quite unique. In what has been called Shaw's "most ambitious and prophetic achievement", HEARTBREAK HOUSE manages to bring to life the signature wit and social dialogue of Shaw's other works but with a sense of danger, intrigue and fascination - and under the direction of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, the Hartford Stage production accomplishes this and more.

Who hasn't thought about what it would be like to live forever? Not having to worry about getting sick, losing loved ones, or the ailments that come with old age would be great, but what if that choice came with the realization that those who you've already lost will be lost to you, forever. Would you still choose to do it? Those are the questions that one family is faced during a fateful road trip in the new musical DEATHLESS which opens at Goodspeed's Terris Theatre in Chester on June 2. I had the chance to sit down with the writer, lyricist, and composer of DEATHLESS, Zack Zadek and talk about his inspiration for the show, the process of bringing a new musical to life, and the emotional themes on display in this new production.