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11/25/2014 11:00 PMOld favorites are returning to Connecticut this holiday season, and two musical versions of popular Irving Berlin films will be among the new attractions.
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, an adaptation of the popular 1942 film that starred Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, has proved to be so popular at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam that the run has been extended through Dec. 28. The premise of the film was an inn in Connecticut that only opened for holidays. It introduced "White Christmas" as well as a number of other Berlin songs. The new show-which will undoubtedly have a life after Goodspeed-adds in some other Berlin standards, some fabulous dancing, and solid performances, particularly from Noah Racey in the Astaire role, Patti Murin as the love interest, and Susan Mosher as the comic character. There is even a talented child, Spencer Stanley, who manages to get great laughs without being a smart aleck. While you are enjoying the show you can order special holiday cocktails and show-themed drinks either before the show or during intermission. For tickets, call 860-873-8668 or visit www.goodspeed.org. Beware: the show is selling out.
The Shubert Theater in New Haven is presenting the tour of the Broadway version of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, running Dec. 30 to Jan. 4. This is the musical version of the 1954 film that capitalized on the popularity of the song "White Christmas" and starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney. In addition to the title tune, it included some other Berlin standards, as well as "Count Your Blessings." This one is about a successful entertainment duo (Crosby and Kaye) who decide to broadcast their popular TV show from the failing Vermont inn owned by their World War II commanding officer. For tickets, call 203-562-5666 or 888-736-2663 or visit www.shubert.com.
The Bushnell is also offering a new musical this season, a stage adaptation of the popular TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical runs through Sunday, Nov. 30. No performances are scheduled for Thanksgiving, but there are three shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The new musical is faithful to the well-loved 1964 TV animated classic and features Rudolph, Santa, and others including Hermey, Yukon, and the Island of Misfit Toys. For tickets, call 860-987-5900 or visit www.bushnell.org.
If the sweetness of the Berlin musicals are not your taste, TheaterWorks in Hartford is bringing backs its popular holiday show from last year. Christmas on the Rocks is subtitled An Offbeat Collection of Twisted Holiday Tales. A variety of talented contemporary playwrights including John Cariani, Jeffrey Hartcher, Matthew Lombardo, Theresa Rebeck, Edwin Sanchez, Jonathan Tollins, and Connecticut's own Jacques Lamarrre have written playlets about what has happened in adulthood to the children from some well-known holiday classics. Thus we learn about the futures of Tiny Tim, Charlie Brown, Cindy Lou Who, and others. The playlets have been tweaked. Harry Bouvy and Ronn Carroll return to the cast as "the man" and the bartender who hears their stories. Jenn Harris plays "the woman." Christmas on the Rocks runs from Friday, Nov. 28 to Dec. 21 and is not for children, though more cynical and sophisticated teens will enjoy it. For tickets call, 860-527-7838 or visit
www.theaterworkshartford.org.
Hartford Stage is continuing the process of refreshing and updating its spectacular A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, which runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 28. Now in its 17th year, the production features new costumes and enhanced flying effects, choreography for the ghostly apparitions, and lighting that reflects the newest and latest in stage lighting technology. This is year two of a three-year series of upgrades. Many of the well-loved cast members return, including Bill Raymond as Scrooge, Johanna Morrison as the Spirit of Christmas Past, and others. If you purchase tickets before Friday Nov. 28 and use the code Turkey15 there is a 25 percent discount for performances on Thanksgiving weekend. For those or any tickets, call 860-527-5151 or visit www.hartfordstage.org.
Also at Hartford Stage, a family fun night is scheduled for Dec. 18 with members of the cast greeting the audience, and local vendors will be in the lobby with their unique wares on Dec. 6, 7, and 14 prior to the matinee performances. A sensory-friendly performance will be on Dec. 9. This is designed for children and adults with autism or other disabilities that create sensory sensitivities. Special materials will be available on the website for families to prepare for the show.
Once again, Jacqui Hubbard, artistic director of Ivoryton Playhouse, has written a Christmas show for the theater. After the success last year of The Bells of Dublin, she has created a sequel-The Bells of Dublin Part II: The Carol of the Bells will run from Dec. 11 to 21. Once again, we visit Paddy and the gang at Bell's Pub, but it has been transformed into a wine and tapas bar. What has happened? R. Bruce Connelly and Michael McDermott star. You can expect music including banjoes and bagpipes. For tickets, call 860-767-7318 or visit
www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.
Branford's Legacy Theatre will offer a holiday show at the Tabor Stage, 45 Tabor Drive in Branford. Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold is playing Dec. 5 to 7. In the tradition of Late Night Catechism, the Sister takes on the mystery of what happened to the gold presented by the Magi to the infant Jesus. For tickets, visit, www.legacytheatrect.org.
Four Broadway leading ladies will perform 4 Girls 4: A Christmas Together on Monday, Dec. 1 in Bushnell's Belding Theater. Donna McKechnie (best known for Company and A Chorus Line), Andrea McArdle (Annie), Faith Prince (Guys and Dolls), and Maureen McGovern (The Pirates of Penzance) will celebrate the holidays with song, dance, laughter, and memories. For tickets, call 860-987-5900 or visit
www.bushnell.org.
Music is always a big part of the holidays, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is doing its part with three separate programs, each offered in a variety of locations. The full symphony will perform portions of Handel's Messiah under the baton of Jeffrey Douma and featuring the Christ Church Choir on Dec. 18 at Woolsey Hall in New Haven benefitting the Community Soup Kitchen; on Dec. 19 at The Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Fairfield University; and on Dec. 20 at the First Congregational Church in Madison.
The NHSO Brass Quintet will perform holiday favorites emceed by Mrs. Claus, who will share behind-the-scenes stories from Santa's workshop, this year's naughty and nice list, her favorite cookie recipe, and the truth about Santa's favorite reindeer. The Quintet will perform on Dec. 19 at the Yale Center for British Art. For tickets to any of the NHSO programs, call 203-865-0831.