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04/29/2021 12:01 AMShubert Leadership: The Shubert Theater in New Haven, which is formally known as CAPA-CT, has named Anthony McDonald as its new executive director. McDonald has extensive theatrical management experience including on Broadway where he worked with the Nederlander Producing Company and as general manager of Broadway’s First Date.
Capote: Truman Capote was a favorite of many of the Park and Fifth Avenue set of women, until he published Answered Prayers in 1975. MTC in Norwalk will present the award winning play, Tru, that is set just after the publication in Esquire magazine. His loyal friends are decidedly upset at what they view as betrayal. The one-man show will stream live through Sunday, May 9. You can also see it in person in the theater. For information for either streaming or tickets, visit MusicTheatreOfCT.com
International Festival: Spring has arrived and so it is time to think about New Haven’s International Festival of Arts and Ideas, now under new leadership. Last year it went virtual. The plans for 2021 are for a predominantly virtual festival from June 18 to 27 featuring more than 200 events, with 80 percent free. Watch for more information.
Writers Playground: Sharon Playhouse is accepting submissions for its Festival of New Ten Minute Plays & Musicals. Selected works will be part of the summer Playhouse Live Drive-In. Four categories are open for writers: Adult (19 and over) plays and musicals as well as Youth (writers 18 and younger) plays and musicals. Writers should reside within 50 miles of Sharon. For information, visit SharonPlayhouse.org. The deadline is May 1.
Podcasts: The Broadway Podcast Network now has an app for both iPhones and iPads that brings the library to listeners. Podcast guests have included the creative team for the new musical Ratatouille, plus performers Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Laura Benanti and lyricist Sir Tim Rice. They also offer livestream events.
Concert Collaboration: Goodspeed and TheaterWorks are collaborating to present a concert available Sunday, May 9 to Sunday, May 30. Christiane Noll, who won acclaim for her portrayal of the Mother in TheaterWorks’ award-winning production of Next to Normal is presenting her show Coming Alive Again. Noll also was nominated for a Tony award for the revival of Ragtime and has performed at Goodspeed in Mack and Mabel among other productions. The show is described as exploring themes of motherhood and complex women, through the lens of a Broadway artist navigating a crazy COVID-paralyzed world. Rob Ruggiero directs. It was filmed on the stages of Goodspeed and TheaterWorks and will benefit both theaters. For tickets, visit twhartford.org.
On the Road Again: It seems as though national tours will be hitting the road again this fall. The Bushnell in Hartford has announced new dates for eight productions that were postponed after March 2020. The season will kick off with Escape to Margaritaville (Oct. 12 to 17), The Band’s Visit (Nov. 16 to 21), What the Constitution Means to Me (Jan. 26 to 30), My Fair Lady (March 8 to 13), Blue Man Group (March 17 to 20), Dear Evan Hansen (March 29 to April 3), and Pretty Woman: The Musical (April 26 to May 1). Hamilton will make a return visit to Hartford June 22 to July 10, 2022. For information visit bushnell.org.
Returning: Madison’s Lyric Stage will feature an all-outdoor season at the Deacon John Grave House on the Boston Post Road in Madison. The Sun Sits Low: An Evening of Stephen Sondheim is scheduled for June 21 to 13, followed by the play The Boys in the Band, July 22 to Aug. 1, and ending with Puccini’s one-act opera, Suor Angelica and Erwartung, Sept. 9 to 19. For subscriptions or information, visit MadisonLyricStage.org.
For Musical Theater Lovers: New York’s Town Hall has for many years produced Broadway by the Year concerts featuring songs from musicals of a particular year. Now it is going virtual with three concerts this spring. It begins Monday, April 26 with The Cole Porter Years, followed by Spotlight on Kander & Ebb on Monday, May 10 and concluding with the Works of Andrew Lloyd Webber on Monday, May 24. Casts include a list of Tony nominees and winners. For tickets, visit TheTownHall.org. In addition, three free, streaming concerts are being offered: Broadway by the Years Revisits 1928 on Monday, May 3, Revisits 1988 on Monday, May 17, and Revisits 2015 on Monday, June 7.
Remember Becca: Broadway star Rebecca Luker died from the degenerative ALS in December. Her Broadway family is coming together on Tuesday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. to present a concert that will benefit ALS research. The show will feature stories and songs from her career performed by Broadway notables Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, Norm Lewis, Kelli O’Hara, Santino Fontana, and many more. For information, visit CelebrateBecca.org.
Another Benefit Concert: Sutton Foster will be joined by Raúl Esparaz and others for a concert filmed live at City Center streaming from Tuesday, April 28 through Monday, May 31. For digital access, visit NYCityCenter.org.
Fun Evening: Each year MCC, a theater space for younger performers, produces Miscast, a benefit where Broadway performers get to sing the songs they never would able to in a show—men singing songs meant for women, etc. It’s great fun. Miscast 21 will stream free of charge (donations encouraged) on Sunday, May 21 at MCC YouTube Channel. Among those featured will be Billy Porter, Kelli O’Hara, Analeigh Ashford and more.
Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident. She’s a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle, New York’s Outer Critics Circle, the League of Professional Theater Women and the American Theatre Critics Association.