The theater calendars are filling up in both Connecticut and New York. The summer-oriented theaters are wrapping up their seasons, and our major producing houses are gearing up for theirs.
Looking over the planned productions for the fall, a number of them jumped out as being particularly interesting.
These are the shows I have starred on my calendar as being particularly interesting.
Shows in Connecticut
English — this Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a fascinating exploration of how language impacts culture and our identity. Set in Iran, an Iranian teacher is helping adult students prepare for an English proficiency exam that will enable them to emigrate. This is a joint production with TheaterWorks and Long Wharf. It will be at TheaterWorks Hartford through Sunday, Nov. 2, and then in January, Long Wharf will present it at SCSU.
Spunk — Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston wrote short stories, novels, and poems, and Yale Rep is producing this rare play of hers. It is the first-ever staging of the play that wasn’t discovered until 1997. That is more than enough reason to want to see it. It runs from Friday, Oct. 3, to Saturday, Oct. 25.
Almost Famous – the musical version of the film had a very short run on Broadway. It probably wasn’t ready for New York City when it opened. Cameron Crowe and Tom Kitt, the creative team, have gone back and revised both the book and the score. ACT of Connecticut in Ridgefield will be presenting this new version from Wednesday, Oct 18, through Sunday, Nov. 23. I hope they get it right this time.
Rope – Who doesn’t like a good thriller/mystery? Author and playwright Jeffrey Hatcher has adapted several Alfred Hitchcock movies for the stage. Hartford Stage is presenting his newest adaptation of this Hitchcock film about two men who murder a friend. It runs from Friday, Oct. 10, to Sunday, Nov. 2.
Lucky Stiff – The new management team at Seven Angels in Waterbury has scheduled this little-known musical for their first production. Lucky Stiff is the first musical by Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty, better known for Ragtime, Once on This Island, and Anastasia. The show features farcical elements as a young man must complete a complicated task to win an inheritance. I’ve heard the score, which is tuneful; it seems perfectly suited for the Seven Angels stage. It runs through Sunday, Oct. 12.
A Chorus Line – it’s already running and has been extended to Sunday, Nov. 2. I have just seen this Goodspeed production, which celebrates the Pulitzer Prize-winning show’s 50th anniversary.
The Importance of Being Ernest – Anytime I can see a production of this show, one of the greatest comedies of all time, I am excited. Details are scarce, but production is at Westport Country Playhouse from Wednesday, Oct. 29, to Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Great Emu War – The title alone intrigues me. This new musical is about a real event, the Australian government’s policy of killing emus that were interfering with farming. It is at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre in Chester through Sunday, Oct. 26.
As You Like It – I just learned about this musical version of the Shakespeare comedy, which will be at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre on the UConn campus from Thursday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 22. What makes it interesting is that Shaina Taub – the creative force behind the musical Suffs wrote the music and lyrics.
Hedda Gabler – James Bundy, the outgoing dean of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, is directing this production of the classic Ibsen play. I love Ibsen, and this has one of his most fascinating characters. It runs from Nov. 28 to Sunday, December 20.
In New York, the season is shaping up slowly.
Art – the revival of this award-winning play features three top names: James Corden, Neil Patrick Harris, and Bobby Cannavale. The play may be dated, but these actors should do a terrific job.
Oedipus Rex is seldom performed, but we have all heard of it. A highly acclaimed West End production of this Greek tragedy will have a limited run in New York.
Waiting for Godot -Samuel Beckett’s play attracts both comedians and actors for its challenges and opportunities. Now Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are playing the major roles.
Chess – the fans of this Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical can hardly wait for the revival (with a new book) starring Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher.
Ragtime – Lincoln Center is reviving this musical – one of my favorites – using many of the cast from the 2024 City Center Encores! production – Joshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz, and Shaina Taub
Kyoto at Lincoln Center’s off-Broadway stage reminds me a little of the play Oslo, about the Arab-Israeli talks in Norway. Kyoto is about the international climate conference in 1997. The play has had successful runs in London and at Stratford-upon-Avon.
Two Strangers Carrying a Cake Across New York – My English friends say that this musical is must-see. It sounds like a quirky, small, and sweet musical, perhaps like the surprise hit of last year, Maybe Happy Ending.
Queen of Versailles – this is the big new musical of the fall with Kristin Chenoweth and music and lyrics by Steven Schwartz. I have some doubts about it. It is not about Marie Antoinette; its based on a documentary about a woman in Florida who built a ginormous house and decorated it in gaudy/lavish style.
The Baker’s Wife – Classic Stage Company is reviving this Steven Schwartz musical with an all-star cast including Ariana DeBose, Scott Backula, and Broadway regulars Robert Cuccioli and Judy Kuhn.
Of course, Broadway and off-Broadway will offer some surprise hits. For the fall, the emphasis is on plays rather than musicals.
Remember that discount tickets are available for many shows; just make sure you use a reliable source for tickets.
This content is courtesy of Shore Publications and Zip06.com
