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03/16/2017 12:01 AMCongratulations: Ivoryton Playhouse’s First Women’s Playwrights Initiative was a huge success. The plays were very promising and the authors welcomed questions and feedback as they further develop their works. They came from throughout the U.S.—as far as from Oregon. I’m looking forward to next year’s initiative.
Help the Awards Ceremony: Each year, the Connecticut Critics Circle presents an awards ceremony honoring the best productions and performances in Connecticut’s professional theaters. The ceremony has grown—last year more than 400 people attended and for the first time, actual awards (not just certificates) were presented. It costs money. So the circle is running a kickstarter campaign. Depending on the donation, there are some nice benefits—including attending a show with a critic. Please check out the appeal and consider making a tax-deductible contribution. Go to kickstarter.com and search for Connecticut Critics Circle.
Old Blue Eyes: If you love the American Songbook, you have to love Frank Sinatra. So make sure you get to Ivoryton Playhouse for My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra. The show runs Wednesday, March 22 to Sunday, April 9. It’s not a one man show nor an imitation of the great Sinatra. Two men and two women will perform a wide variety of Sinatra’s hits. For tickets, visit ivorytonplayhouse.org or call 860-767-7318.
Pulitzer Winner: Next to Normal is the Pulitzer Prize winning musical that is beginning previews at TheaterWorks, Thursday, March 23. It runs through Sunday, April 30. Tony-nominee Christiane Noll and Australian actor David Harris star. For tickets or to subscribe, call 860-527-7838 or visit theaterworkshartford.org.
Planning for the Summer: The Connecticut Repertory Theatre on the UConn campus in Storrs has announced its 2017 Nutmeg Summer Series, the first developed by Tony-winner Terrence Mann. The season begins with 1776 (June 1 to 10), followed by the farce Noises Off (June 15 to 24) and concluding with Disney’s Newsies (July 6 to 16). Subscriptions are on sale at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.
A Rose by Any Other Name: The final show of the season at Long Wharf, a new musical, has changed its name. It was called Table, but now it will be known as The Most Beautiful Room in New York. The book and lyrics are by Adam Gopnik with music by David Shire. It runs May 3 to 28. For tickets, visit longwharf.org.
Diva Performance: Sunset Boulevard is being revived on Broadway for a limited run with Glenn Close reprising her Tony-winning role as Norma Desmond. Let’s just say that I cannot imagine she was any better 20-plus years ago than she is now. It is a consummate performance. To read my entire review and see photos, visit 2ontheaisle.wordpress.com. The shows at the Palace Theatre and tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
New York Notes: Sally Field and Joe Mantello have just opened in The Glass Menagerie, which will run through July at the Belasco Theatre. Tickets are available through Telecharge. The Moors, which was at Yale Rep last season, has just opened off-Broadway and run to Saturday, March 25. I really enjoyed this twisted homage to Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.
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.