T. Charles Erickson News

HADESTOWN is a triumph. Broadway is back. Long live the power of musical theatre.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at the national touring cast of Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best New Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

WTF Artistic Director Mandy Greenfield’s choice to revive PARADISE BLUE is another of many highly relevant selections given prevailing racial tensions.  It also demonstrates that a new play, 'born' at Williamstown, that the New York Times suggested was “unlikely to be final” in its form can evolve and overcome challenges. 

See 'Conscience,' a gripping world premiere play by Joe DiPietro. It is being performed through March 29th at GSP housed in NBPAC. With the exceptional direction of the Playhouse's Artistic Director, David Saint and featuring an outstanding cast of four thespians, 'Conscience' presents a slice of history, one that will resonate with a modern audience.

Two River Theater (TRT) is presenting a play that has been highly anticipated in their current season, August Wilson's, 'Radio Golf.' With the superb direction of Brandon J. Dirden, and a cast that is perfect in their roles, it is a must-see show. We attended the opening night performance when the enthusiastic audience gave it a rousing standing ovation.

Joe DiPietro's CONSCIENCE is currently playing at George Street Playhouse.

This season, Two River continues its commitment to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson's American Century Cycle with Radio Golf, directed by Brandon J. Dirden. This is the sixth play in the Cycle produced at the theater. Performances will run in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, through Sunday, March 22. The opening night performance is Friday, March 6 at 7pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. Two River Theater's 2019/20 Season Sponsor is Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center.

In response to popular demand, an additional performance of Jane Eyre, adapted and directed by Hartford Stage Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson, has been scheduled for Thursday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. The show will close on Saturday, March 14.

There are certain stories that strike an emotional chord regardless of the format or venue. One such story is the Charlotte Bronte classic JANE EYRE, which is now playing at Hartford Stage in a brand new adaptation by Associate Artistic Director, Elizabeth Williamson (who also directs). The story - equal parts Victorian epic and Gothic horror, holds up extremely well in this production - providing a sweeping narrative, delivered by a talented cast and supported by strong technical design.

A new adaptation of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë's beloved tale of courage, sacrifice and self-respect, will debut next month at Hartford Stage. The novel has been adapted for the stage by Hartford Stage Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson, who will also direct. Jane Eyre runs Thursday, February 13, through Saturday, March 14.

Mason Alexander Park stars as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, the singular performer in I Am My Own Wife at Long Wharf Theatre, and will embody over 30 characters over the course of each performance.

Huntington Theatre Company presents the Boston premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Sweat. This Tony Award-nominated play by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage is directed by Kimberly Senior (Disgraced on Broadway). Sweat began performances at the Huntington Avenue Theatre (264 Huntington Avenue, Boston) on Friday, January 31, 2020 and runs through Sunday, February 23, 2020. The official press opening night was Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Tickets are now available.

GOODNIGHT NOBODY, a new play by Rachel Bonds, now running at McCarter, is set in a farmhouse in upstate New York. The house belongs to Mara, played by Emmy-Award winner Dana Delany. Much of the plot revolves around her adult son and his friends, whose lives and yearnings are woven into her own; to one she is a mother, but to the others she is their lover, or potential mentor in art or parenting.

The world premiere of 'Midwives' is now being performed by George Street Playhouse. This engrossing drama is based on the 1998 novel by Chris Bohjalian who wrote GSP's stage adaptation. The directorial talents of the Playhouse's Artistic Director, David Saint and the show's accomplished cast make this play unforgettable.

New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian's world premiere stage adaptation of his novel MIDWIVES began performances last night at George Street Playhouse's new home at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. The official Opening Night is this Friday, January 24th.

Communities are beautiful things due in part to the vast diversity that can exist in them. Even if made up of people of common means, there are so many layers to each neighborhood, each block, and each building. Some of these people are friends, some one hardly ever sees, but many are, or can feel like, family. These community bonds often are tested the most during a crisis, and sometimes it is that crucible which strengthens relationships and changes lives. Bonds such as I have described here are portrayed vividly by Nijala Sun in her one woman show, PIKE ST. which is now playing at Hartford Stage. 

The Big Chill meets This is Us in Rachel Bonds' play Goodnight Nobody. In this deeply moving and funny world premiere, a group of old friends reconnect after years apart. They reminisce with wild abandon, until the things they aren't telling each other come hurtling to the surface. The production runs January 10 through February 9 in McCarter's Berlind Theatre. More about the production at mccarter.org.

Obie Award-winning playwright and actor Nilaja Sun will perform her acclaimed solo show, Pike St., at Hartford Stage Thursday, January 9, to Sunday, February 2, 2020. Pike St. will be directed by Ron Russell, who also serves as Sound Designer.

Two River Theater presents Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, directed by Sara Holdren with original music composed by the band/theater collective The Lobbyists. 

The magic continues! 'A Christmas Carol' at McCarter Theater, is now on stage through December 29th. Adapted by David Thompson and directed by Adam Immerwahr, the production has marvelous acting, elaborate staging, and exciting new flourishes.