From Goodspeed to Broadway: Connecticut audiences were delighted with Summer Stock at Goodspeed in 2023. Corbin Bleu, who won raves and awards at Goodspeed will headline a private industry reading of the musical, which is aiming for Broadway. The title has been changed to Get Happy, one of the songs in the show. Many of the cast from the Goodspeed production are participating in the workshop. Director/ choreographer Donna Feore is also continuing with the project.  I loved this show.

Waiting for Information: Thrown Stone Theatre, which operated in Ridgefield for several summers in small venues, will be taking up residency at the Crystal Theater in South Norwalk. They are hoping to expand from summer-only productions to year-round programming. I’m anxious to learn more about this move.

Coincidence: Madison Lyric Stage is presenting the Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15. They just learned that Martha King Lowe, who played the mother in the NBC telecast from 1963 to 1967, has a connection to Madison. Her daughter Rebecca is a current resident.

Musicals, Dramas, and Comedies: Ivoryton Playhouse announced its 2025 season, which will begin April 3 to 27 with Hank Williams: Lost Highway, about the life and music of this legendary country singer. From May 15 to June 8, there is Tea at Five, a one-woman show about Katherine Hepburn. Two well-known musicals will be on this stage in the summer. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs from June 26 to July 27, and My Fair Lady runs from Aug. 7 to Sept. 7; a contemporary comedy, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help runs October 2-26 and the season will conclude with Playhouse Holiday Jamboree from Nov. 20 to Dec. 21. For information contact IvorytonPlayhouse.org.

Broadway Concert Series: Legacy Theatre will continue its very popular Sunday Broadway Concert Series featuring cabaret performances by Broadway stars. The series runs from Feb. 16 to October 26. The list includes Tony-winning J Harrison, Ghee, who starred in Some Like It Hot, Tony-winner Bonnie Milligan, two-time Tony-winner Norbert Leo Butz, and Euan Morton, who was nominated for his role as Boy George in the musical Taboo. During the summer, Nicholas Rodriguez, a 2024 Grammy nominee, will perform, followed by Donna McKechnie, who has numerous awards, including a Tony for her performance in the original company of A Chorus Line; the season will end with Karen Mason, who has extensive Broadway credits. Contact LegacyTheatreCT.org.

On Tour: Playhouse Theatre Group, the parent of Playhouse on Park, will tour The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog to young audiences in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. This is a family-friendly adventure musical year for ages K through 4. The company is accepting bookings between Jan. 21 and Feb. 14. Email Kevin Cronin at educatiion@PlayhouseTheatreGroup.org.

Give the Gift of Theatre: During this holiday season, consider giving yourself, family, and friends tickets to shows at Connecticut's terrific professional theaters. All the theaters offer flexible ticket packages and gift cards that allow the recipient to pick the show and the performance date.

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.