Ashley McLeod

On Friday, June 16, I had the pleasure of seeing a phenomenal performance of 9 TO 5, the musical, at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport, CT.  I joined the opening night packed house in tremendously enjoying this production!  With book by Patricia Resnick and music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, this show, based on the movie, while comedic, also addresses the important issues of sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace, how both can take on various forms, and both can be devastating and infuriating to those who are subject to them.  This entire cast is spectacular in the way they perform their roles, under the direction of Andrea Pane, choreography of Christina Ronquillo, and musical direction of Zachary Kampler.

What did our critic think of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Trevi Lounge?

Fairfield Center Stage (FCS), a community theater group, will present an immersive production of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES from Sep 9-24 at Trevi Lounge in Fairfield.

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 phenomenal production!   On Friday, June 17th, I had the pleasure of experiencing Fairfield Center Stage’s continued commitment to providing excellent theater that goes that extra mile, when I saw THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL on opening night, at Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, CT.   Director Joel Fenster, musical director Benjamin Doyle, choreographer Lindsay Johnson, artistic director Christy McIntosh-Newsom, and Executive Producer Eli Newsom all combine their talents with the rest of the crew and this stellar cast to give the audience yet another first-rate performance!

Fairfield Center Stage (FCS), a community theater group, will present a 2 weekend run of the hit Broadway show THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL in Fairfield this June. The show runs for two weekends, June 17-25 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School Auditorium.

Theatreworks New Milford’s Page2Stage reading series will present The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence by Madeleine George. The reading will be directed by Michael Wright of Newtown. Admission is free.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY in the East Village presents 'Wm & Jas - A Ghost Story' by Gina Russell Tracy in their historic Off-Off-Broadway Cino Theater, featuring Sean A. Buckley as William Gillette and Stephen Goodin playing James O'Neill in this story of two legendary men of the Gilded Age Theatre striving to obtain what the other one has.

The cast includes Mensah Robinson, Ashley Mcleod, Caitlin Mandracchia, Jody Bayer, Daisy Stott, Matt Austin and more!Grab your chairs and picnics and join us at the Sherman Town Beach for an unforgettable evening.

On Thursday, June 24, I thoroughly enjoyed Rogers and Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC, performed by Fairfield Center Stage, under the open summer skies on a beautiful Fairfield evening, at Fairfield Museum Commons.  I always look forward to Fairfield Center Stage productions, because they take innovative and creative risks that always manage to pay off for them!  They consistently provide a unique set that is perfectly suited to whatever show they are performing, giving the audience a true experience that goes beyond merely showing us the setting; it draws us right into it, as if we are there!  In this case, the hills are truly alive, because we, as the audience, sit on the outdoor land upon which Maria sings “The Sound of Music,” while making her entrance, through the audience.  Betzabeth Castro is phenomenal in the role of Maria, right from the start, showing true enjoyment in her singing, truly selling every note, and every line, with a powerful singing voice and stage presence. 

Fairfield Center Stage (FCS), an environmental community theater group, along with partner Fairfield Museum & History Center, will present an outdoor musical production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC in downtown Fairfield this June. The show runs for five performances over one weekend only: June 24-27, 2021 at Fairfield Museum Commons at 370 Beach Rd behind Old Town Hall.

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 those expectations on their head and left this reviewer bopping in his seat to songs he hasn't heard since he was a child.

It never ceases to amaze me how prolific and creative the theatrical community is here in Connecticut. With 80 + theatrical companies (at my last count) in the state, you don't have to go far to take in some amazing theatre. From professional, equity houses to community theatres, the variety, and unique offerings from each company is truly amazing. And speaking of unique offerings, I had the pleasure of attending my first performance at The Arts at Angeloria's in Southington for their production of Larry Gelbart, Cy Coleman, and David Zippel's musical CITY OF ANGELS, which also served as the premiere production in their new 100-seat "Art Barn." For those familiar with the musical, you will know that this is not an easy show to mount, especially in a smaller theatrical space. But for the company who performed THE WHO'S TOMMY in their small 50-seat black box space, if anyone was up to it, they were. As for CITY OF ANGELS? It is a valiant attempt with some high points that mostly overshadow any challenges that come from the limitations of the space.

On Friday, May 4 TheatreWorks New Milford will premiere Mel Brooks' Zany movie-turned-musical musical, Young Frankenstein.The curtain rises at 8:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday and 2:00pm on some Sundays through June 2.

 On May 4, TheatreWorks New Milford will open their first musical of the season, Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks.

The Warner Stage Company will present the murderously funny thriller THE GAME'S AFOOT (or HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS) in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre December 9-17. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set in William Gillette's Connecticut castle which won the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Play.

FINAL DRESS PHOTOS  from '[title of show]' at TheatreWorks New Milford from July 15 to 31.

? On  Friday, July 15, TheatreWorks New Milford will debut the musical comedy [title of show] with music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and book by Hunter Bell. The curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on a three-week run. 

On July 15, TheatreWorks New Milford will premiere the musical comedy [title of show] with music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and book by Hunter Bell.