Vincent J. Cardinal News

The 2015-2016 season for Connecticut Repertory Theatre will begin with a production of The Laramie Project, helmed by CRT's artistic director, Vincent J. Cardinal. The Laramie Project focuses on the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, in Laramie, Wyoming. A collaborative effort amongst members of The Tectonic Theatre Project, spearheaded by Moises Kaufman, the play explores the reactions of a small town when faced with a gruesome event that triggered worldwide media attention. Performances of The Laramie Project begin on October 8 and continue through October 18, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Nafe Katter Theatre. Tickets are now on sale at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

The 2015-2016 season for Connecticut Repertory Theatre will begin with a production of The Laramie Project, helmed by CRT's artistic director, Vincent J. Cardinal. The Laramie Project focuses on the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, in Laramie, Wyoming. A collaborative effort amongst members of The Tectonic Theatre Project, spearheaded by Moises Kaufman, the play explores the reactions of a small town when faced with a gruesome event that triggered worldwide media attention. Performances of The Laramie Project begin tonight, October 8, and continue through October 18, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Nafe Katter Theatre.

The 2015-2016 season for Connecticut Repertory Theatre will begin with a production of The Laramie Project, helmed by CRT's artistic director, Vincent J. Cardinal.  The Laramie Project focuses on the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, in Laramie, Wyoming.  A collaborative effort amongst members of The Tectonic Theatre Project, spearheaded by Moises Kaufman, the play explores the reactions of a small town when faced with a gruesome event that triggered worldwide media attention.  Performances of The Laramie Project begin on October 8 and continue through October 18, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Nafe Katter Theatre.  Tickets are now on sale at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

Summer is on its way out, but Connecticut theaters are heating up with some exciting offerings this fall. Theater lovers have the best of both worlds here in the Nutmeg State: Broadway is just down the road, but we never even have to leave home to see exceptional theater thanks to the bevy of professional theaters that call Connecticut home too. This season looks particularly exciting and I'll share with you what I am most looking forward to reviewing this fall. There are other great shows scheduled this fall as well as through the 2016 season, but in the interest of space, I will concentrate on top picks for this fall.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) has announced that Brandy Burre, of HBO's The Wire and the critically acclaimed documentary film Actress, and Josh Aaron McCabe of Shakespeare & Company will lead the ensemble cast. Helmed by CRT Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal, The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman and the members of Tectonic Theatre Project details the reaction in the community of Laramie, Wyoming following the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming gay student Matthew Shepard. Performances of The Laramie Project begin on October 8 and continue through October 18, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Nafe Katter Theatre. Tickets are now on sale at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre under the leadership of Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal and Managing Director Matthew J. Pugliese announced the 2015-16 Season.  The season features works that have been adapted from another medium.  These stories range from contemporary classics, musical comedy and original premieres.  Subscriptions are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 860-486-2113.  Single tickets go on sale on August 1. 

Connecticut Repertory Theatre completes its 2015 Nutmeg Summer Series with the musical comedy Xanadu. Directed by CRT's Artistic Director, Vincent J. Cardinal and choreographed by Cassie Abate, Xanadu tells the story of a muse named Clio who travels to 1980's Venice Beach, California disguised as a mortal to inspire chalk artist and beach boy Sonny Malone. Clio faces the jealousy of her two sisters, Melpomene and Calliope, the wrath of her father Zeus, and the struggles of fitting in as a mortal as she and Danny fight for their dream to open a roller disco with awesome mirror balls. Amandina Altomare stars in the lead role of Clio/Kira. Altomare was previously seen on the CRT stage as Lousie in Gypsy, Judy in A Chorus Line, and earlier this summer in LES MISERABLES: A Musical Celebration directed by Terrence Mann. Performances of Xanadu begin on July 9, 2015 and run through July 19, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre completes its 2015 Nutmeg Summer Series with the musical comedy Xanadu. Directed by CRT's Artistic Director, Vincent J. Cardinal and choreographed by Cassie Abate, Xanadu tells the story of a muse named Clio who travels to 1980's Venice Beach, California disguised as a mortal to inspire chalk artist and beach boy Sonny Malone. Clio faces the jealousy of her two sisters, Melpomene and Calliope, the wrath of her father Zeus, and the struggles of fitting in as a mortal as she and Danny fight for their dream to open a roller disco with awesome mirror balls.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre has announced the complete cast for Xanadu, the third and final production of the 2015 Nutmeg Summer Series. Directed by CRT's Artistic Director, Vincent J. Cardinal, Xanadu will feature Amandina Altomare in the lead role of Clio/Kira. Altomare was previously seen on the CRT stage as Lousie in Gypsy, Judy in A Chorus Line, and Philia in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. She is a proud member of the USO Show Troupe which provides entertainment for veterans and active military all over the world. Performances of Xanadu begin on July 9, 2015 and run through July 19, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

This week Connecticut Repertory Theatre will open a new adaptation of Lysistrata by Jen Wineman and the world premiere of Band of the Black Hand, a collaboration with Split Knuckle Theatre. CRT launched its season with Michael Bradford's Olives and Blood, a new play that had only been produced twice before.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Caryl Churchill's Cloud 9 in the Connecticut Repertory Theatre Studio Theatre tonight, October 23rd through November 2nd.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Caryl Churchill's Cloud 9 in the Connecticut Repertory Theatre Studio Theatre October 23rd through November 2nd. The play, which during its 1982 Broadway run, 'offer[ed] an evening of uninhibited lunacy', still excites audiences with its confusion of gender roles and exploration of sexual repression versus societal freedom. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

The Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) announces its 2014-15 Season, filled with classic comedies and challenging, engaging new work. The 2014-15 Season is full of characters in search of their identity. Their journeys explore the dramatic moments and decisions that allow for self-discovery.

Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams is Rose, in GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Connecticut Repertory Theatre onstage July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets and information at 860-486-2113. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a new production shot of Uggams during Rose's famous second act anthem- 'Rose's Turn.'

Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams is Rose, in GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Connecticut Repertory Theatre onstage July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets and information at 860-486-2113. Check out a first look at highlights below!

History is being made over at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the UConn campus as Leslie Uggams becomes the first African-American actress to star as Rose in an Equity production with a mixed race cast for the musical Gypsy.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's GYPSY, starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, runs through July 20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's GYPSY, starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, runs through July 20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113. Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a first look at the cast in action!

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams would be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable today, July 10-20. This announcement quickly spread through social media circles and the theatre community and set off a firestorm of discussion on message boards and Twitter about casting an African American actress in this iconic role.