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10/11/2018 12:01 AMA Must See: The current production of Man of La Mancha at Westport Country Playhouse through Sunday, Oct. 14 is a must-see production for any theater lover. Director Marcus Lamos has three terrific performers in the leading roles and breathtaking lighting. For the first time in many years, I was truly moved to tears by the ending. Visit westportplayhouse.org or call 888-927-7529 for tickets.
Secrets & a New Life: Long Wharf is opening its season with The Roommate, through Sunday, Nov. 4. It’s billed as a comedy about Sharon who has been recently divorced and finds Robyn to be her roommate. Apparently Robyn has some secrets that Sharon discovers, which causes her to question and change her life. The play is by Jen Silverman. For tickets, visit longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.
Prince Hal: Hartford Stage is presenting Shakespeare’s play Henry V through Sunday, Nov. 11. King Henry was in Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 as the hell-raising heir to the throne who learns the responsibilities of ruling. Now he is king and undertakes a war with France that could either solidify his reign or destroy his country. Stephen Louis Grush will play the King. What’s different is that this production will be played “in the round” with audience on all sides. The cast also equally divided between men and women. For tickets visit hartfordstage.org or call 860-527-5151.
Musical Galore: Goodspeed has announced its 2019 season for both its main stage in East Haddam and its workshop theater in Chester. On the main stage the season will opens with The Music Man by Meredith Willson (April 12 to June 16), followed by a new musical, Because of Winn Dixie (June 28 to Sept. 1), based on the book of the same name. The final show is Billie Elliot The Musical (Sept. 13 to Nov. 24) which features music by Elton John. At the Terris Theatre in Chester, two new musicals will receive showcases: My Name Is Ben (May 17 to June 9) and Passing Through (July 26 to Aug. 18). Season tickets are now on sale at goodspeed.org or 860-873-8668. Tickets for individual performances go on sale Feb. 17.
Coming to PBS: The Broadway’s Best series as part of Great Performances on PBS television stations will feature the musical An American in Paris, Friday, Nov. 2. This is the London production that recently played in movie theaters and features the two stars (and Tony nominees) from the original Broadway cast—Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope. The London production of Sound of Music will air Friday, Nov. 10. John Leguizamo’s Road to Broadway, a behind-the-scenes documentary of the journey his solo show Latin History for Morons took to Broadway, will air Friday, Nov. 16. The last in the series is Harold Prince: The Director’s Life on Friday, Nov. 23. Prince directed or produced numerous hits musicals on Broadway, including West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. Check the listing of the public station you watch for any changes in these dates.
Yale Drama School: Third year students, as part of their final year of training, present fully-produced plays throughout the year. The first one, shakespeare’s as u like, it will be at the Iseman Theater, 1156 Chapel Street, Tuesday, Oct. 23 to Saturday, Oct. 27. It’s described as an immersive theatrical experience, obviously based on As You Like It, with the audience moving and interacting with the actors and scenery. It also features original music. For tickets, visit drama.yale.edu or call 203-432-1234.
Auditions: Goodspeed will hold auditions for adult actors and actresses on Sunday, Oct. 28. It is by appointment only and actors must be available for four weeks of rehearsal and a 5- to 12-week performance run. For appointments, contact the company management at 860-873-8664 ext.721.
Please: I’m waiting for some local cinema to show Tea with the Dames, a documentary featuring informal conversations among four of the great British actresses of our time: Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Eileen Atkins, and Dame Joan Plowright.
Also in Cinemas: The London production of Funny Girl with a revised book by Harvey Fierstein is also coming to cinemas on Wednesday, Oct. 24. I haven’t heard of any local showings, but check funnygirlincinemas.com.
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.