Semina De Laurentis

The new international company, BREAKING BORDERS, brings one of the longest running Off- Broadway comedy hits, TONY 'N TINA'S WEDDING, to Italy!

Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury brings a nostalgic and hilarious look back the famous husband and wife comedy team of George Burns and Gracie Allen. R. Bruce Connelly and Semina De Laurentis reunite in a sequel to the triumphant 2017 production: GEORGE & GRACIE: THE EARLY YEARS. After sending audiences into hysterical laughter in It Had To Be You (Seven Angels Season '08-09) R. Bruce Connelly (Say Goodnight Gracie) and Semina De Laurentis (the original Sr. Mary Amnesia - Nunsense) reunite on Seven Angels stage to bring to life the unique comedy of George Burns and Gracie Allen in this special equity theatrical event just for Seven Angels. Once again, join George and Gracie, their neighbors Blanche and Harry and other guests in this all new sequel production. GEORGE & GRACIE: PART II is to benefit Seven Angels Theatre educational and HALO Awards programs.

An excellent musical comedy called NUNCRACKERS is performed by a highly talented cast of adults and children, at the Seven Angels Theatre, in Waterbury, CT. Mixing segments of traditional Christmas songs with new music, done well, this show is highly entertaining.

The Million Dollar Quartet comes alive in Waterbury, with a rock n' roll musical show with talented live musicians who portray Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis in what commemorates a one time collaboration between these four legends of rock n' roll, while honoring Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, the company that launched their careers. I highly recommend this show for great music and a glimpse at some of the history behind the music!

What's coming up this month in Connecticut theater.

Kitt's score and Brian Yorgey's book and lyrics combine for one of the deepest and moving shows to hit a Broadway stage. It's not the typical subject matter for a musical (the theater suggests that it is appropriate for children 16 and up), but you should take advantage of an opportunity to see this excellent rock musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. That sandwich-making scene in the opening act is terrific as directed by Janine Molinari with De Laurentis skillfully portraying the frenzied breakdown as Diana tries to cope.

Subtitled 'An American Musical,' it is in the truest sense the story of striving for the American Dream. Haskell (Max Bisantz) arrives in the small town of Hamilton, in Central Texas shortly after the turn of the century, pushing a banana cart and unable to speak English. Wary at first of the stranger, who also turns out to be a Jew, Milton and Ima (Paul Blankenship and Sarah Knapp) take him in. Milton, the town's banker, partners with Haskell to help build his business, which eventually turns into a dry goods store. When Haskell finally saves enough to bring his wife, Leah (Rita Markova), over from Russia, the friendship is tested, however. Haskell no longer is the observant Jew she married. The new country has changed him. He doesn't wear his hat, keep a Kosher home or observe the Sabbath any more.

The parade seen is terrifically stages with marching bands, entertaining acts and the famous Macy's balloons all depicted while Music Director Richard DeRosa and his five-man band play a score by Meredith "Music Man" Wilson that includes "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." Alexander Butler as Mara's grandson is adorable as is Grace Rundhaug, who believes in Santa when Kris is able to speak to her in her native Dutch. The real Macy's over at Waterbury's Brass Mill Mall also got involved in the production, decorating the theater lobby and providing discount cards in the program.

Even though the musical depicts events from more than 100 years ago, 'not much has changed.'

What does a 47-year-old single guy need to do to get a date with the girl of his dreams? Well, if you're Vincent DiDonato (Lou Martini, Jr.) in Gino DiIorio and Nancy Bleemer's comedy Centennial Casting playing at Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, you pretend you are a casting director and pretend to give her an audition for a movie.

Catholic dogma might not rule the life of 12-year-old Rudy Pazinski, who to the horror of his parents and teacher-nun announces his decision to forgo Confirmation while he shops around for a religion, but Over the Tavern, Tom Dudzick's play opening the 21st season for Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury definitely is a good work with outstanding performances by the young people starring in it.

Goodspeed Musicals' production of 'Big River' and its director Rob Ruggiero are big winners of the 19th annual Connecticut Critics Circle awards, announced June 15. The show received nods for best musical, for Russell Joel Brown who played Big Jim as best actor in a musical, for Michael Schweikardt's sets, and for Ruggiero's direction.

TJ Fitzgerald checks in with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Gregory Jbara, a true talent and one of the nicest guys on Broadway