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07/14/2023 08:18 AMInside Notes and Comments About Connecticut and New York Professional Theater
Awards for Excellence: The powerful productions of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Yale Rep and Indecent at Playhouse on Park, along with Goodspeed’s exuberant production of 42nd Street and ACT-CT’s moving production of the musical A Secret Garden, were recognized by the Connecticut Critics Circle with multiple awards at its recent 31st annual awards ceremony. Other shows receiving awards included Fun Home at TheaterWorks-Hartford, Anne of Green Gables at Goodspeed, Fences at Playhouse on Park, The Winter’s Tale at Hartford Stage, and Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles at Yale Rep. For a complete list of nominees, winners and photos check out my blog at 2ontheaisle.wordpress.com
Special Awards: During the same ceremony, Bill Berloni was named the recipient of the Tom Killen Award for contributions to Connecticut theater. Berloni found and trained the very first Sandy in the musical Annie when it was a new show at Goodspeed. He has gone on to rescue thousands of animals and trained them to perform in dozens of Broadway shows. Mark Lamos, artistic director of Westport Country Playhouse, was presented with a special award. Lamos is stepping down as its artistic director this January; he was also the artistic director of Hartford Stage for many years.
Lamos’ Remarks: In accepting his award, Lamos gave a heartful talk. He included the following “Now, post-Covid (if there is such a thing), there is a growing feeling that many of the performing arts are irrelevant, meaningless, not worth the concentration, the ‘effort’ it takes to show up at a designated time and sit with a group of other human beings in the dark while a story is being told, a dance is being performed, music is being made. As I retire from artistic directing, I can only hope and pray that the situation changes. There is a lack of enrichment in our culture, a lack of engagement with the arts in our educational systems and that is deeply troubling and potentially damaging to our culture and the culture our children grow into. I leave it to you to find ways to turn this around.”
Satiric Revue: The Legacy Theatre in Stony Creek is presenting the satiric revue, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical), which uses familiar Broadway songs with new lyrics that satirize the style of the composer/lyricist. Among those getting the treatment are Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, and others. It runs from Thursday, July 13, through Sunday, July 30. For tickets, visit LegacyTheatreCT.org.
Teenage Angst: The rock musical, Spring Awakening, is on the Madison Lyric Stage from Friday, July 21, through Sunday, July 30. The show, which won numerous Tony awards, combines rock music with a story set in 19th-century Germany as a group of teenagers navigates a conservative society. The show is held in the new enclosed tent on the grounds of the Deacon John Grave House in Madison. For tickets, visit MadisonLyricStage.org
Plotting Murder: Dial M for Murder is the last play directed by Mark Lamos before he leaves the Westport Country Playhouse in January. This Jeffrey Hatcher adaptation of the classic play and film offers surprises even for those who know the work. A suspicious husband suspects his wealthy wife is having an affair. The play will feature Kate Burton as the inspector. It runs from Tuesday, July 11, through Saturday, July 29. For tickets, visit WestportPlayhouse.org.
SOS: Theaters across Connecticut and the United States are struggling to survive. It seems as though every week, I learn of a prominent regional theater cutting back productions and staff or closing outright. Here in Connecticut, we have seen Long Wharf leave its home stage; Westport reduced its season to three works this year; the Downtown Cabaret has cut four shows from its main stage season. It is keeping all its productions for Young Audience. Other theaters have also reduced the number of productions or the length of runs. How can you help keep theater alive in Connecticut? Purchase subscriptions if possible; purchase single tickets. Most importantly, attend a show.
Saying Goodbye: The theater world (and Connecticut) lost important figures recently. Sheldon Harnick, who wrote the lyrics for Fiorello, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, passed away at 99. I can’t tell you how many times I saw him in the audience; he made a point of seeing every Broadway show. You might not recognize Paxton Whitehead’s name or face, but you are very familiar with this comic genius. He frequently starred at Westport Country Playhouse and other theaters in the state.
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, the League of Professional Theater Women, and the American Theatre Critics Association.