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02/26/2020 11:01 PMAnother Major Change: Michael Gennaro, the executive director of Goodspeed since 2015, will be stepping down at the end of the season. Gennaro had the unenviable task of succeeding long-time executive director Michael Price, who retired. Under Gennaro’s leadership, the theater has continued its reputation for outstanding productions, while making some changes to the repertoire. The trustees say a national search for a new leader will take place.
Designed for Parents: During the run of Cry It Out, Hartford Stage and Christ Church (which is directly across the street) developed PlayDate, a babysitting program. It will now continue through this season. It allows parents of children aged 2 to 10 to have free babysitting near the theater for specific performances. The caregivers all have been background-checked. During PlayDate, younger children play while older children enjoy movies and board games. For information on the program and the specific performances visit hartfodstage.org/playdate or call 860-527-5151. Sounds like a great idea to give parents a night or afternoon out.
Elvis Is Coming to East Haddam: Goodspeed will present (in association with Artists Lounge Live) Elvis My Way starring Brandon Benett from Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15. It is billed as a “dynamic concert that will pay homage to the incomparable icon Elvis Presley.” Benett has played Elvis in productions of Million Dollar Quartet. Five performances are scheduled. For tickets, visit goodspeed.org or call 860-873-8668.
Sad News: One of my favorite musical theater performers, Rebecca Luker, has announced she was diagnosed in the fall with ALS (sometimes called Lou Gehrig disease). Luker is a three-time Tony nominee married to acclaimed musical comedy performer Danny Bernstein. While research has developed some promising medications, none have been shown to cure the disease. Luker has starred in ShowBoat, Music Man, and Mary Poppins, for which she received Tony nominations. Most recently she was in the cast of Fun Home.
Summer Camp: Hartford Stage will offer its Youth Summer Studio—six weeks of camp programs for children aged 3 to 18, beginning on July 6. The camps are held on the Learning Corridor Campus on Vernon Street. A variety of classes are scheduled including teen musical, children’s cast and day dreamers, and more. Some programs are full day, other half day or just a week. For information, visit hartfordstage.org/education.
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Madison’s Lyric Stage will host a fundraiser featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The concert Music of the Night is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 1 at Madison’s Deacon John Grave House. Eighteen singers and a combo of musicians will perform. There’s also a silent auction. Visit MadisonLyricStage.org for information.
Podcasts on Connecticut Theater: The Connecticut Critics Circle—I’m a member—has begun a series of podcasts on all aspects of theater in Connecticut. The podcasts, which are approximately 15 minutes in length, are available at the website ctcritics.org or on my site 2ontheaisle.wordpress.com. I’ve been part of the first five of these podcasts. Take a listen!
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 the Connecticut Critics Circle, New York’s Outer Critics Circle and the American Theatre Critics Association.