This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
09/14/2017 12:01 AMAvenue Q: This musical surprised everyone when it won three major Tony awards for the 2002-’03 season. Not only had it started off-Broadway, but it featured only six actors who became 11 different characters through the use of puppets. Now West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park is presenting the show through Sunday, Oct. 8. I’m curious how they are going stage it; the Playhouse stage is large with the audience on three sides. This is a show that younger audiences, people from teens to 30-somethings, love. For tickets, call 860-523-5900, ext. 10 or visit playhouseonpark.org.
Sensory-Friendly Performances & Open Captioned Performances: Goodspeed is offering special performances for two productions this year that are labelled “sensory friendly.” This means the production and theater environment are altered to, as the press release says, “provide a safe, sensory friendly, comfortable and judgement-free zone.” Tickets for these performances are sold only to those on the spectrum and their families. Oklahoma’s performance is Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2 and A Connecticut Christmas Carol will have a performance on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2. To purchase tickets or get information, call Kare Micari-Miller at 860-615-0316 or email kmicari@goodspeed.org. This is in partnership with the Theatre Development Fund. Open captioned performances for Rags is Friday, Dec. 1 and A Connecticut Christmas Carol, Friday, Dec. 8. For tickets, email boxoffice@goodspeed.org or call 860-873-8668.
World Premiere Musical: Ivoryton Playhouse is presenting a world premiere musical, I Hate Musicals: The Musical Wednesday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 15. It’s written by Mike Reiss, who is writer/producer for The Simpsons as well as other TV shows and films. His plays I’m Connecticut and Comedy Is Hard both played at Ivoryton. Starring as the cranky comedy writer trapped in rubble of an LA earthquake whose life plays out before him as a musical is Stephen Wallem, best known as Thor Lundgen from the TV series Nurse Jackie. For tickets, call 860-767-7318 or visit ivorytonplayhouse.org.
Norm Lewis in Branford: The fourth Broadway in Branford benefit for the new Legacy Theatre is Sunday, Sept. 17 at 6 at Owenego Inn and Beach Club featuring Norm Lewis. Lewis is an established Broadway star whose roles include Porgy in Porgy & Bess, the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, and most recently Sweeney Todd in the musical of the same name. VIP tickets are available as well as “pay-what-you can” donations. For information, visit legacytheatrect.org.
Broadway News: Broadway has mourned the loss of Barbara Cook, who starred in The Music Man among other shows before becoming a cabaret/concert star. I was blessed to see her in several shows including her last one, Sondheim on Sondheim, as well as in concert and cabaret shows. Thomas Meehan, who wrote the books for Annie, The Producers, and Hairspray, also passed away. He earned Tonys for all three shows. Bruce Springsteen has already extended his Springsteen on Broadway through Feb. 3. Denzel Washington is returning to Broadway in Eugene O’Neill’s mammoth The Iceman Cometh. Performances will begin March 22 with an opening scheduled for April 26; it’s a 14-week run.
Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident. To check out her reviews for New York and Connecticut shows, visit 2ontheaisle.wordpress.com. She’s a member of both the Connecticut Critics Circle and New York’s Outer Critics Circle.