Rob Ruggiero News

What did our critic think of FUN HOME at TheaterWorks Hartford? The musical FUN HOME, based on Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir ('a family tragicomic') won five Tony Awards in 2015, including Best Musical. And Jeanine Tesori (music) and Lisa Kron (book and lyrics) made history by being the first female duo to win a Tony. Oh, and by the way, the musical was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Something wicked this way comes. Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) will present a unique take on William Shakespeare's Macbeth: the sinister tale will be told in its entirety through the eyes of the play's three powerful witches, directed by Rosa Joshi, from October 16 through November 6, according to Nancy L. Donahue Artistic Director Courtney Sale and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) will open its 43rd Season with the hilarious whodunit, The 39 Steps – a mix of Alfred Hitchcock's juicy spy flick with a dash of vintage Monty Python – from September 14 to October 2, according to Nancy L. Donahue Artistic Director Courtney Sale and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas. 

TheaterWorks Hartford will open its 2022-2023 season with Fun Home. The cast for Fun Home includes Broadway veterans Aaron Lazar as Bruce, Christiane Noll as Helen, and Sarah Beth Pfeifer.

TheaterWorks Hartford, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, has announced details for its upcoming 2022–2023 season which is filled with great music, captivating stories, and world-class writing.

Featuring a picture frame with perfect timing and a judgmental Alexa, Secondo is a heartwarming and clever comedy not to be missed.

With an eye to the future, MRT announced today five new commissioned playwrights: Vichet Chum, Kevin Kling, Melinda Lopez, Dael Orlandersmith, and Kalean Ung.

TheaterWorks Hartford presents the World Premiere of SECONDO the sequel to our beloved hit show, I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI by Jacques Lamarre based on stories by Giulia Melucci. Directed by Rob Ruggiero, the production runs JULY 29 – AUGUST 28 and marks the 10th anniversary since I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI first enamored Hartford audiences.

The Muny announced today its full cast, design and production teams for Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, July 16 – 22, 2022. 

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) announced today its 2022-23 Season – a lineup brimming with optimism and exuberance, including a world premiere adaptation of A Christmas Carol, the East Coast premiere of a Cambodian-American play, and a new initiative for young audiences, according to Nancy L. Donahue Artistic Director Courtney Sale and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas. 

TheaterWorks Hartford, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, is excited to announce its upcoming 2022–2023 season. Rob said 'This season, we’re focusing on plays that we hope inspire our audiences to come see LIVE theater. Great music, captivating stories, and world-class writing – these stories are uplifting, powerful … and will engage us all in important conversations. We’re particularly excited that they are written by four female playwrights representing the best and most important voices in American theater. These plays tell our stories.'

Zoey’s Perfect Wedding is a hilarious play about love and relationships with a deeper message about the pressures we endure from societal expectations. Set at the most disastrous wedding reception of all time, the title is assuredly ironic, featuring drunken speeches, an incompetent wedding planner who makes everything worse, and hi-jinx galore.

TheaterWorks Hartford presents the World Premiere of SECONDO the sequel to our beloved hit show, I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI by Jacques Lamarre based on stories by Giulia Melucci. Directed by Rob Ruggiero, the production runs JULY 29 – AUGUST 28 and marks the 10th anniversary since I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI first enamored Hartford audiences.

This free festival, running May 16–22, explores and celebrates new voices in American Theater. With workshops, a panel discussion, and talk-backs—both in-person and online—the New Work Festival strengthens TheaterWorks Hartford’s commitment to the development of important new plays.

TheaterWorks Hartford is thrilled to present the 2022 edition of its New Work Festival. This free festival, running May 16–22, explores and celebrates new voices in American Theater. With workshops, a panel discussion, and talk-backs—both in-person and online—the New Work Festival strengthens TheaterWorks Hartford’s commitment to the development of important new plays. Participants include playwrights Brooke Berman, Melissa Crespo & Sarah Saltwick, Terry Guest, and James Anthony Tyler who are joined by directors Shariffa Ali, Michael Barakiva, Mikael Burke, and Caitlin Sullivan. Reservations are required and can be made at www.twhartford.org.

TheaterWorks Hartford will present the East Coast premiere of Zoey's Perfect Wedding by Tony-winner Matthew López, the first Latiné playwright to win the Tony Award for best play. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, the production marks López's return to TheaterWorks Hartford following the celebrated 2018 production of The Legend of Georgia McBride.

TheaterWorks Hartford will present the East Coast premiere of Zoey’s Perfect Wedding by Tony-winner Matthew López, the first Latiné playwright to win the Tony Award for best play. Directed by Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, the production marks López’s return to TheaterWorks Hartford following 2018's The Legend of Georgia McBride.

Flamboyant. Outrageous. Decadent. Elton John and his music are many things. But what’s behind the costumes, the larger than life persona, and the lush recordings? Talented singer/pianist Todd Alsup will take you on an acoustic journey through the soulful songbook of the Rocket Man. Join us for a stripped down experience that gets closer to the heart and soul of Elton’s timeless music. Don’t forget your glasses!

As part of their free virtual salon series, Wingspace Theatrical Design will present a conversation on Thursday, February 24 at 7:00pm ET with Aaron Copp, Kate Ducey, Stowe Nelson and Lauren Halvorsen as they talk about their work inside and outside of theater.

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for The Muny’s 2022 season, which opens on June 13 with the celebrated return of the 2021 hit that audiences went “Whoopee!” for, the Tony Award-winning Chicago.