This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/08/2020 12:01 AMOne Night Only: Goodspeed is partnering with arts organizations around the country to present a virtual concert event. Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland, streams live from Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. It is part of a series from Artists Lounge Live that Goodspeed hopes to continue. For tickets, visit goodspeed.org or call 860-873-8668.
Virtual Performances: The Connecticut Repertory Theater, which operates as part of UConn in Storrs, is offering two virtual productions this fall. Each will be complete with background set graphics and costumes. Men in Boats will stream live for nine performances between Thursday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 18. This production was originally scheduled for last spring. It is described as an “engaging, funny, and ironic ride with William Powell and his crew, commissioned to explore the Colorado River in 1869. The all-male expedition, by direction of the playwright, has an all-female cast. Catastrophe and hilarity ensue!” For tickets, visit crt.uconn.edu or call 860-486-2113.
No Fancy Dress Required: Many theaters have converted their fundraising galas to virtual events. For some of us who can’t afford gala pricing, it is a bonanza. Goodspeed is streaming Shakin’ the Blues Away: A Virtual Gala Concert for Goodspeed. The event premieres Thursday, Oct. 29. This gala concert will feature stars of Goodspeed and Broadway performing beloved songs from classic musicals. As the press material says, “Since no event would be uniquely Goodspeed without the iconic gem of a theater, stars will perform on the Opera House stage and in various surprising locations throughout the historic theater.” Among those appearing are Klea Blackhurst, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Kelly Sheehan, Alysha Umphress, and many others. Most have played major roles in Goodspeed productions. For tickets, visit goodspeed.org or call 860-873-8668.
More West Side Story: The Broadway revival is closed (and it was/is controversial) and the new movie version is being delayed a year. But there is a new play, Something’s Coming, which explores the creation of the famed musical. It will get a virtual reading on Sunday, Oct. 25 as part of the New Works Virtual Festival. Marc Kurdish will play Leonard Bernstein with Vincent Rodriguez III as Hal Prince, Adam B. Shapiro as Stephen Sondheim, Robert Torti as Arthur Laurents, and Ted Louis Levy as Jerome Robins. It’s available on the New Works Viritual Festival YouTube channel. It’s free, but you are encouraged to donate to the Actors Fund. Through Saturday, Oct. 31, readings of 19 other works will take place.
Diving into Othello: Off-Broadway’s Red Bull Theater is presenting Othello 2020, a multi-part project that explores Shakespeare’s tragedy and its relationship to today. Events run through Wednesday, Oct. 28. Among the events are an informal reading of American Moor, a new play about a African-American actor auditioning for the part; Exploring Othello in 2020 is a four-evening reading and discussion of the work and more events. Tickets are needed but free, although a donation to the theater would be appreciated. Visit RedBullTheater.com for information and to request tickets.
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.