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03/12/2020 12:01 AMA Classic Play: Yale Rep is presenting the classic play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry from Friday, March 13 to Saturday, April 4. The play was the first play by an African-American woman to play on Broadway and it was directed by Lloyd Richards, former artistic director of the Yale Rep; Richards was the first African-American director on Broadway. The play tells the story of the Younger family, whose members, coming into a small inheritance, debate whether to buy their own home in better neighborhood or to use it to set up the son in business. Carl Cofield returns to the Rep to direct. For tickets, visit yalerep.org or call 203-432-1234.
Broadway Satire: Ivoryton Playhouse is opening its 2020 season with Forbidden Broadway Comes to Ivoryton. This is a new version of the long-running off Broadway show that skewers the people and trends of the Great White Way in songs and skits. It isn’t mean spirited, but rather is a loving tribute to the theater. It runs from Thursday, March 18 to Sunday, April 5. This version includes send-ups of Annie, Fiddler, and Frozen as well as Broadway stars Lin Manuel, Hugh Jackman, and more. For tickets, visit ivorytonplayhouse.org or call 860-767-7318.
From Film to Stage: Former artistic director Michael Wilson is returning to Hartford Stage with the stage version of the film The King’s Speech. The play again tells the story of Britain’s King George VI, who assumes the crown when his brother (the Duke of Windsor) abdicates, and his struggle with speech difficulties. Speech therapist Lionel Logue helped him become more comfortable and confident in his public speaking. The show runs from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, April 19. For tickets, visit hartfordstage.org or call 860-527-5151.
World Premiere Musical: ACT-CT in Ridgefield is presenting the world premiere of the musical Nickel Mines from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 29. The musical, according to press materials, relates the events of the 2006 Amish Schoolhouse shooting through dialogue, dance, and music. For tickets, visit actofct.org
History: You can get the sense that the history won’t necessarily be accurate in Men on Boats, which is part of the Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s studio productions at UConn in Storrs. While it is about 10 explorers, four boats, and the Grand Canyon—based on John Wesley Powell and his crew, the press material says it “throws history off the boat—along with all the men!” It runs Thursday, March 26 to Sunday, April 5. For tickets, visit crt,uconn.edu or call 860-486-2113.
New Works: TheaterWorks’ New Works Project is scheduled for Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22. It includes readings of six new plays as well as two talks. One, scheduled for Friday, March 20 is about the creation of the Tony-winning musical Fun Home. There’s also a VIP meet-and-greet with producers of the show. For information and tickets, visit TWHartford.org or call 860-527-7838.
West Side Story Controversy: The Broadway revival (or revision) of West Side Story has and continues to be controversial. Critics either loved Ivo Van Hove’s concept, using of video and new choreography, or they absolutely hated it. But there’s another controversy that has had some pickets outside the theater: It is the casting of Amar Ramasar as Bernardo in the show. Why? Ramasar was accused of sexual harassment at the New York City Ballet, where he is a principal. The ballet dismissed him, but an arbitrator found that the ballet had “overstepped.” Ramasar was reinstated. A college student started an online petition calling for his dismissal and some pickets have been outside the theater at some performances.
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.