Russell Garrett News

Roald Dahl wrote books for the children of his time and it is a wonder that many of his creations have remained as popular and well-loved as they have decades after his death. Although James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Witches, and The Twits can all trace thematic influence back to Dahl's involvement in World War II, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory seems to be the most heavily-informed by an unquestioning devotion to western industrialization and hope for the germinating seeds of our present-day capitalism. The 1971 movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is indicative of its time not only in its psychedelic colors and film effects but in its Vietnam-Conflict-era praise of Americanized consumerism. While Tim Burton's 2005 film adaptation reclaimed the title of the 1964 book and attempted to be a more faithful translation, its darkness and sterile settings have not garnered the cultural embrace of its predecessor, mainly because (I believe) of the public's common, shifting relationship with and disdain for industrialization and capitalism.

Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury kicks off their 2019-20 Equity Mainstage season with the fantastically fun country musical Honky Tonk Laundry.

In the wondrous world of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, 'splendiferous' is a word, rivers are made out of chocolate, bubblegum never loses its taste, and, as the lyric goes, 'you can even eat the dishes'! On Wonka's quest to find an heir for his delectable dreamscape, he cooks up a contest for five lucky children around the world to win a golden ticket and tour his chocolate factory. But what these children do not know is that Wonka has also concocted five temptation rooms -- interpreted in WFT@BU's production as gluttony, pride, greed, envy, and anger (sound familiar?) -- to catch anyone who does not have the moral compass to lead his mouth-watering kingdom. Only one child will win a golden ticket and the factory, but it is only through genuine honesty and kindness that he or she will rise.

Celebrating it's 60th Anniversary of presenting top quality entertainment, Sharon Playhouse presents Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

On Saturday, August 10, I had the pleasure of seeing JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT spectacularly performed by a talented cast at the Sharon Playhouse, in Sharon, CT.  Marking the fiftieth anniversary of this very first musical collaboration between songwriter Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, this show remains entertaining to audiences across multiple generations.

Welcome to Rydell High, where star-crossed Danny and Sandy try to find a place for their forbidden love. Grease will have you hand jivin' and beboppin' all the way down the aisles!

Just in time for LGBTQ Pride Month, and on the cusp of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, SpeakEasy Stage Company presents the New England premiere of the Off-Broadway musical THE VIEW UPSTAIRS in the Plaza Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts. Inspired by a little-known historical event, Max Vernon pays tribute to '70s gay culture and the victims of the firebombing of the UpStairs Lounge in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1973. Although 32 people perished (the deadliest assault on a gay bar prior to the 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub which killed 49 people), Vernon's book and score focus on the personalities of the archetypal characters, the challenges they faced in that era, and the strong ties they forged to make a life in the homosexual community.

Grab your straw boaters and put on a smile because the New London Barn Playhouse is back again for its 87th Summer Season! Building off the successes of 2018 Summer Season, which broke attendance records and earned the 2018 New Hampshire Theatre Award for Best Professional Musical Production (42nd Street). This past year brought 23 nominations for New Hampshire Theater Awards. The Barn celebrates 8 awards and 19 "top three" finishes in recognition of its 2018 season. The Box Office is now open, so come on by to pick up your tickets, greet the company, and grab a t-shirt!

Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT under the management of Artistic Director Alan M-L Wager and Managing Director Robert Levinstein, announces the casting and creative teams for its 2019 60th Anniversary mainstage summer season.

Grab your straw boaters and put on a smile because the New London Barn Playhouse is back again for its 87th Summer Season! Building off the successes of 2018 Summer Season, which broke attendance records and earned the 2018 New Hampshire Theatre Award for Best Professional Musical Production (42nd Street). This past year brought 23 nominations for New Hampshire Theater Awards. The Barn celebrates 8 awards and 19 'top three' finishes in recognition of its 2018 season. The Box Office is now open, so come on by to pick up your tickets, greet the company, and grab a t-shirt!

On Sunday, June 2, 2019, following the 3PM matinee performance, SpeakEasy Stage will present a panel of musical theatre experts and practitioners for a closer look at its current production of The View UpStairs by Max Vernon.

From May 31 through June 22, 2019, SpeakEasy Stage Company will proudly present the New England Premiere production of the acclaimed Off-Broadway musical THE VIEW UPSTAIRS.

Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University announces Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach featuring words and music by Tony, Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe Award-Winning Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, book by Timothy Allen McDonald, and based on the book by Roald Dahl. The WFT@BU production, directed by Artistic Director Emily Ranii with musical direction by Matt Stern and choreography by Juanita Pearl takes place April 12 through May 12, 2019 at 180 The Riverway, in Boston's Fenway neighborhood. Performances run Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturday/Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets are $20-40 and may be purchased by calling 617-353-3001 or online by visiting https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/dept/1292. Student and group discounts are available and special 1pm performances run during April school vacation week (4/16 -19). ASL and AD performances are May 5 at 2pm and May 10 at 7:30pm.

Sierra Repertory Theatre is delighted to celebrate 40 years of bringing the best talent from around the country to Sonora with the legendary and iconic Broadway musical, A Chorus Line, starring Russell Garrett (AEA) as Zach and Adrienne Hampton as Cassie. A Chorus Line begins performances on February 10th and runs through Sunday March 24th.  Garrett, who many SRT patrons will remember as Harry Bright in Mamma Mia!, or as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, will be pulling triple-duty in this production. Not only will he play the role of Zach, but Garrett will recreate Michael Bennett's original staging and choreography for SRT audiences.

On Sunday, December 9th, Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) honored two cast members, David Coffee (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Cheryl McMahon (Mrs. Dilber), both celebrating their 25th appearance in the holiday show, A CHRISTMAS CAROL playing thru Sunday, December 23, 2018.  

A CHRISTMAS CAROL is playing at North Shore Music Theatre thru December 23, 2018. For ticket prices and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA. 

Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) will once again present the area's most beloved production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL sponsored by MarketStreet Lynnfield. This award-winning, original musical adaptation was created solely for North Shore Music Theatre and cannot be seen anywhere else. Two cast members, David Coffee (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Cheryl McMahon (Mrs. Dilber), will be both be celebrating their 25th appearance in the holiday show. A CHRISTMAS CAROL will play 14 performances from Friday, December 7 thru Sunday, December 23, 2018. 

The breakdown of Pageant: The Musical Comedy Beauty Contest, is simple. Six contestants from across our vast country are competing for the title of Miss Glamouresse (Glamouresse being a cosmetics company).

Award - winning New London Barn Playhouse presents Lerner and Loewe's Camelot starting June 13th Tickets and information available at www.nlbarn.org or 603 - 526 - 6710 Travel through the swirling mists of Avalon to the enchanted kingdom of Arthur Pendragon when the curtain rises on Camelot, the opening show for the 2018 Summer Season of the New London Barn Playhouse, running June 13 - 24, 7 : 30PM with Today matinee performances at 2 : 00PM and Sunday matinee performances at 5 : 00PM.