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03/29/2018 12:01 AMDeparting Next Year: Most Connecticut theater aficionados knew it was coming: Darko Tesnjak will leave Hartford Stage at the end of next season. He’s been the artistic director since 2011. During that time he has been responsible for a long list of outstanding productions, both new and classic, that he either scheduled or directed. In the last few years, he has done more and more outside directing including A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Marriage, for which he won a Tony; Anastasia; and in the fall, Saint to Saeës’ opera Samson et Dalila at the Metropolitan Opera.
Hamilton Is Coming: It was a well to known secret that Hamilton would be appearing at the Bushnell in 2018. While ticket prices have not been announced, we now know it will run from Dec. 11 to 30 (three weeks) as part of the Broadway subscription series. After a somewhat lackluster season this year, the 2018 to ’19 season has many certifiable hits on the schedule. The season opens with the slapstick comedy The Play That Goes Wrong (Sept. 25 to 30), followed by the tour of the most recent Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof (Nov. 6 to 11). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is scheduled for Feb. 19 to 24, followed by the 20th anniversary touring production of Rent (March 12 to 17).The season concludes with two major hits: Come from Away (April 30 to Mary 5) and Waitress (June 18 to 23). Current subscribers will be getting renewal packages soon; they are, apparently, the only subscribers to be assured of tickets to Hamilton. The best way to try to get tickets is to subscribe to the Bushnell newsletter, which will give details of prices and when tickets will go on sale. In addition, Hamilton during its run has a daily lottery for 20 tickets. For information or to sign up for the newsletter, visit bushnell.org.
World Premiere: Long Wharf’s former artistic director is directing the world premiere adaptation of The Age of Innocence at Hartford Stage. The original novel by Edith Wharton, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921, is set in New York City in what might be called the Gilded Age. It involves a gentleman lawyer, his demure fiancée, and a free-spirited countess. The adaptation written by Douglas McGrath is not the first done of this novel; in 1993 was a filmed adaptation. Hughes has assembled a high-powered cast including four-time Tony winner Boyd Gaines as well as Sierra Boggess, Helen Cespedes, and Andrew Veenstra. It runs Thursday, April 5 to Sunday, May 6. For tickets, visit hartfordstage.org or call 860-527-5151.
More from the Bushnell: The non to subscription Broadway series will include Disney’s The Lion King (Aug. 1 to 19), Cats (Jan. 29 to Feb.3), a return of Beautiful—The Carole King Musical (March 26 to 31) and The Sound of Music (May 17 to 19). Lion King tickets go on sale April 5, all others will be announced. For information, visit Bushnell.org.
Next Year at Long Wharf: Long Wharf is one of the first Connecticut theaters to announce its 2018-’19 season. Once again it is focused on contemporary works by American authors. Some people complain that the theater is ignoring the vast majority of theater produced in the world in its history. The season opens with The Roommate by Jen Silverman (Oct. 10 to Nov. 14) about two women who become unlikely roommates later in life. Then is Dominique Morisseau’s Paradise Blue (Nov. 21 to Dec. 16). This is another play in which she explores her roots in Detroit. From Jan. 9 to Feb. 3 is a new play, Miller, Mississippi by Boo Killebrew, described as a southern family’s struggles with the racial changes of the civil rights movement. The Beautiful Things, adapted by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) runs Feb. 13 to March 10. It is about real-life advice columnist Cheryl Strayed. The last two production are based on classic works. From March 27 to April 21 is An Iliad by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, inspired by the classic Homer epic poem. The season closes with A Doll’s House, Part 2 by Luca Hnath (May 1 to 29). It imagines what would happen if Nora returned home after many years. Last year, the play won the Tony. Subscriptions are now available through longwharf.org or at 203-787-4282.
Gentle Comedy: Seven Angels is presenting what should a gentle comedy that will appeal to older folks with Second Chance. The show is about a 77 year-old widower who is persuaded by his son to try out assisted living and finds the male-to-female ratio very appealing. It runs Thursday, April 5 to Sunday, April 29. For information and tickets contact sevenangelstheatre.org.
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.