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11/07/2018 11:01 PMChallenging: I bet the piece now at Yale Rep, The Prisoner, will elicit many mixed feelings. Peter Brook, the Tony-winning director who worked for many years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, is co-creator and co-director of the piece, which runs through Saturday, Nov. 17. In interviews, he has said it’s based on something he observed in Afghanistan many years ago, although some believe he learned about from the news. But he said the story—of a prisoner condemned to sit outside the prison until he feels he has atoned for his crimes—has elements of Greek tragedy and also strong elements of Christian theology. Brook also indicated he felt it has relevance for today—the ideas of redemption and forgiveness. Marie-Hélène Estienne is The Prisoner’s co-collaborator. For tickets, visit yalerep.org or call 203-432-1234.
Detroit 1949: That’s the setting for Dominique Morisseau’s play, Paradise Blue, next up at Long Wharf. It runs Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 16. Morisseau’s play is part of a trilogy on her home town of Detroit, showing it at three times: 1949, 1967 (Detroit ‘67) and 2008 (Skeleton Crew). Paradise Blue is the name of a popular jazz club, but the neighborhood is gentrifying and the owner doesn’t want to leave it all behind. A mysterious woman turns everyone’s world upside down. For tickets, visit longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.
Legacy Theatre News: Legacy Theatre in Stony Creek is presenting an entire season at the Stony Creek Museum on Thimble Island Road in Branford, including plays, a live radio play, a musical, and special productions. The fledgling company has been in the planning for years. It plans to renovate the Puppet House Theatre as a permanent home.
Another Departure: Michael Stotts, the long time managing director at Hartford Stage, will leave in January; he’s been named managing director for the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. As managing director, he’s overseen finance, development, marketing, and operations as well as the renovations/expansions. He’s been at Hartford Stage for 12 years; before that he served in similar positions at New Jersey’s George Street Playhouse in New Haven’s Long Wharf Theater. Earlier this year, Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak announced his departure.
Aetna Partnership: Aetna, which has a long term partnership with Hartford Stage focused on developing new plays and playwrights, has now joined TheaterWorks to provide a fellowship opportunity for female directors of color. The program is called “Breaking Barriers” and the first recipient is Taneisha Duggan.
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.