Dan DeLange News

It's probably hard to find anyone around today who is not familiar with Judy Garland. Older generations may have grown up with her in "Easter Parade" or "Meet Me in St. Louis". Others might remember her fondly as a powerhouse entertainer and singer who hosted her own television variety show. But at the very least, even the youngest among us know Judy as the unmistakable and indefatigable Dorothy Gale in the timeless MGM classic movie The Wizard of Oz. But a lot happened on "the Road to Oz", those formative years that put "Baby" Frances Gumm on the path to becoming Judy Garland and a super-star. And that journey is what brilliantly comes to life on the Goodspeed Opera House stage in the latest Goodspeed Musicals production CHASING RAINBOWS: THE ROAD TO OZ.

Goodspeed is thrilled to announce the cast of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, abrand-new musical that chronicles a time before "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Easter Parade," and "A Star is Born"-a time when Judy Garland was simply, "the girl with the great big voice." Filled with many beloved songs sung by Judy Garland throughout her career, Chasing Rainbows will run September 16 - November 27 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. The show is sponsored by The National Endowment for the Arts, Eversource Energy, ConnectiCare, Comcast, and Webster Bank.

When looking for memorable images from America in the late 50's/early 60's, you are bound to find some old standards. Mom in the kitchen baking, Dad returning home from a long day at the office, children playing with their Slinky/Mr. Potato Head while drinking Tang, or the iconic footage of man walking on the moon for the first time. These images immediately place you firmly in an era where tradition crashed headlong into a world of new sights and sounds. And it is these images that brilliantly set the stage (and the mood) during the overture for Goodspeed Musicals' new production of the classic Adams/Strouse/Stewart musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE; and they signal the nostalgic, yet amazingly fresh romp the audience will experience for the next two hours.

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson.

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson. Ms. Thompson's new take on this youthful classic includes two new songs, 'BYE BYE BIRDIE' from the 1963 film and 'A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore' from the 1995 television presentation along with crisp new dance arrangements by accomplished composer of Broadway, film and television David Krane.  Check out a sneak peek below!

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson.

Some musicals make you think, some make you cry, while others just give you a permanent smile on your face for the duration of the show. The latter was the state of this reviewer as we set sail on the S.S. American for a rollicking "Bon Voyage" in Goodspeed Musicals' opening show of the 2016 season, ANYTHING GOES. This production is truly "De-Lovely" and lives up to the standard and quality that audiences are used to experiencing in the intimate, beautiful setting that is the Goodspeed Opera House.

All aboard! Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 2016 season at The Goodspeed with a star-packed production of the Broadway hit ANYTHING GOES. You'll get a kick out of this dance-filled musical comedy, running now through June 16 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening is tonight, April 27, 2016.

All aboard! Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 2016 season at The Goodspeed with the Broadway hit ANYTHING GOES, and the company just announced a star-packed cast.

All aboard! Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 2016 season at The Goodspeed with the Broadway hit ANYTHING GOES, and the company just announced a star-packed cast.

Brimming with song & dance, comedy & romance, gamblers & chorus girls, the unforgettable Guys & Dolls starts the year at Pittsburgh Public Theater. Ted Pappas directs and choreographs the Great American Musical running January 28 - February 28, 2016 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org. Guys & Dolls is presented by Highmark.

The 11th Annual Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals, produced by Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre, kicks off its much-anticipated three-day festival of brand-new works on Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Goodspeed Opera House with a staged reading of a new Southern Gothic musical, We Foxes by Ryan Scott Oliver.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Broadway's Matt Scott, who was last seen by Goodspeed audiences in the 2013 production of SNAPSHOTS at The Norma Terris Theatre, will assume the role of 'Sam Wainwright' for the remainder of the run of A WONDERFUL LIFE at Goodspeed Opera House through December 6th.

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. Just announced, A WONDERFUL LIFE will now play eight additional performances through Sunday, December 6, 2015 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn.

It's a tricky thing when a popular film is adapted for the musical stage. Sometimes it works and sometimes it simply falls flat. For A WONDERFUL LIFE, presented by Goodspeed Musicals, it falls somewhere in-between. To be fair, It's A Wonderful Life is not just a "popular film", it's practically an American institution, so the audience for A WONDERFUL LIFE, the musical adaptation by Sheldon Harnick (Book and Lyrics) and Joe Raposo (Music) most likely come to the show with a very clear expectation of what they will see. They expect encounters with George Bailey as he sacrifices his own dreams for those of his family and neighbors, the harrowing scene where, despondent, he decides to take his own life, Clarence the guardian angel, the truly detestable Mr. Potter, a lovely Mary, some fun "Hee Haw"s with Sam Wainwright, and let's not forget Zuzu's petals.

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currently running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currently running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. The official press opening is tonight, October 14, 2015.

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currentlyi running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the first read through below!

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE will run tonight, September 18, through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE will run tonight, September 18, through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015.