CONNECTICUT THEATER REVIEWS

One of my favorite annual theater traditions is attending AN EVENING OF ONE ACTS at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield, CT, always an amazing time with great comedy!  It was such a pleasure experiencing the 2021 AN EVENING OF ONE ACTS, on Friday, June 18.  I greatly enjoy the consistent hig...

During the pandemic, I have greatly missed the consistent high quality live performances from the Castle Craig Players.  I am looking forward to when they will be able to perform live, again, which I hope will be very soon.  In the meantime, I am happy to say that now, online, the Castle Craig Pla...

Ethical boundaries and emotional bonds fray in playwright Adam Rapp’s THE SOUND INSIDE, a cryptic and creative trope-defying drama exploring a symbiotic and suspenseful Ivy League professor-student friendship. The 90-minute filmed-to-stream production from Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero ...

In FUNNY HOW IT HAPPENS, Jarrod and Kelli skillfully selected the songs they performed to incorporate songs meaningful to their relationship, songs significant to their careers, and songs that have traditionally been audience favorites.  Every song was an excellent choice, whether they performed th...

I had the pleasure of streaming Fairfield Center Stage’s production of A QUARANTINE CHRISTMAS CAROL EXPERIENCE.  The innovative creativity from Fairfield Center Stage continues to mesmerize audiences with its ability to showcase a myriad of talented cast members and maximize available resources, ...

Some people may wonder how it is possible to successfully pull off A CHRISMAS CAROL with only one actor playing the twenty-five different roles.  When you have an actor of the caliber of Patrick Spadaccino acting under the stellar direction of Scott R. Brill, this can and has been done with tremend...

Love knows no bounds; not distance, nor hardship, nor time. In a story where time is not linear and each scene is a different timeline of the same events it can be hard to follow, but when you trust the script to tell the story and trust your audience to pick up on these concepts, you can focus on m...

Square One Theatre Company offers a glimpse into the lives of the upper middle-class with A.R. Gurney's THE DINING ROOM...

How far would you go to help a suicidal loved one, especially if that person has already attempted suicide, but survived?  If you had the legal right to make treatment choices on behalf of your suicidal loved one, would you consent to your suicidal loved one receiving an extreme form of treatment t...

While I have heard wonderful things about the musical CATS and about the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT, I had never experienced either until March 5, 2020, when both far exceeded my expectations when I saw this musical masterpiece phenomenally performed by an extraordinary cast, to a packed audie...

Theatre has a way of translating human emotion and experience into a tangible, relatable, and collective experience in a way no other medium can. Audiences shed tears during emotional moments and cheer when the hero defeats the villain. But rarely do theatre-goers have the opportunity to share emoti...

There are certain stories that strike an emotional chord regardless of the format or venue. One such story is the Charlotte Bronte classic JANE EYRE, which is now playing at Hartford Stage in a brand new adaptation by Associate Artistic Director, Elizabeth Williamson (who also directs). The story - ...

It is an exciting feeling when you discover something new about something you were already familiar with. Sometimes this happens when you read a favorite book for a second time, or learn a bit of history behind a favorite spot. But sometimes, the planets align and fresh light shines on a classic sto...

On Saturday, February 22, I had the pleasure of seeing LOOPED at the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin, CT.  This comedy by Matthew Lombardo is based on a true story that took place back in 1965.  Director Kris McMurray brings out the best in talented actress Kelly Boucher who stars as Tallula...

On Saturday, February 22, I had the pleasure of seeing the opening performance of THE LITTLE MERMAID at the Downtown Cabaret Children's Theatre, in Bridgeport, CT. This adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story, made famous to younger generations by the animated Disney movie is written by Phil...

In today's world of a?oefake newsa?? and challenges to journalistic integrity, it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell fact from fiction. Add in the desire to both entertain and inform readers (and sell publications) and it can be easy to see how, today, trust may be harder than ever to find i...

NEWSIES in Westport is a must-see masterpiece! A combination of local talent and Broadway talent help create a moving show that touches the hearts of all the viewers! I highly recommend this show!...

With a title like a?oeOne Hit Wonder,a?? you might think you know what to expect: a series of well-known one hit wonders strung together with a loose story that feels more like a musical revue than a musical, but my experience seeing Landmark Community Theatre's production of One Hit Wonder flipped ...

It seems these days that every other musical opening on Broadway is based on a popular film. From PRETTY WOMAN to BEETLEJUICE, Broadway has been home to film adaptations for years. Sometimes these can be a mixed bag, but sometimes they shine as brightly (or even brighter) than their original source ...

No matter how many times you may have seen GODSPELL before, it is definitely worth your time to see the ACT of Connecticut's vastly different interpretation which I like to refer to as a?oeGodspell on Caffeine.a?? The energy and comedy levels are magnified to the nth degree, with every cast member, ...

On Saturday, February 1, I had the pleasure of revisiting THE SOUNDS OF THE SEVENTIES at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport, CT.  I enjoyed it even more this second time seeing it!  This approximate two hour performance includes nearly fifty different songs, performed by four extremely tal...

On Friday, January 31, 2020, I had the pleasure of seeing SMORGASBORD! at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield, CT.  This musical revue has music and lyrics by Bradford Blake who is also directs the show.  Under the excellent accompaniment of musical director Charles Smith on keyboard, Charle...

Communities are beautiful things due in part to the vast diversity that can exist in them. Even if made up of people of common means, there are so many layers to each neighborhood, each block, and each building. Some of these people are friends, some one hardly ever sees, but many are, or can feel l...

Hers is some of the most iconic music of the 20th century and many of her songs formed the soundtrack of people's lives in the American post war era. And though Rosemary Clooney's public persona was one of grace and composure, in her personal life she was battling significant personal demons that al...

While you may not need a proscenium stage, proper stage rigging, and high end equipment, performing in a space not intended for theater certainly introduces some challenges. Director Michael Ricciardone gathered a team of designers to overcome the limitations of a non-traditional venue. When a talen...