Author: Stuart Brown

If skiing or iceskating, sledding or snowman building aren’t on your list of requirements for winter activities, then please consider joining me at an indoor event that rocks my personal world, one where blazing excitement reigns supreme. For the nineteenth year, Goodspeed Musicals is once again bringing new and innovative musical theater to the stage, this year for the weekend of Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19. Due to renovations at Goodspeed in East Haddam, the Festival of New Musicals will be held at The Terris Theatre just down the street in the charming town of Chester. Over the… read more

Do you own an ugly sweater or at least one that has been judged as barely wearable in public? If so, you are clad appropriately for Playhouse on Park’s northeast coast premiere of the current clever dancing and singing offering “The Ugly X-mas Sweater Musical.” Until Sunday, December 22, the singing and dancing will continue at the corporate office of the American Regalia Uniforms Company. Michelle Jennings’s head of Human Resources Cheryl is upset, anxious, disturbed, angry, frustrated, out-of-control and panicked that her beloved company may close its doors forever. Knitted tightly together by Dan Knechtges and Megan Larche Dominick,… read more

Have you hauled out the holly yet? Theaters in Connecticut already have or will soon be doing so. No matter what your age or what your preferences are for holiday entertainment – funny, serious, or sentimental – there is something for you and your family. Are you a fan of A Christmas Story? If watching the classic movie that seems to be a nonstop spool on cable is a must, you will be delighted with the musical version now at Goodspeed in East Haddam, through Sunday, December 29. I saw the original production on Broadway and fell in love with… read more

For a young teenage heartthrob, look no further than singer/songwriter Paul Anka who is still, at the tender age of 83, just as swoon worthy as he was as a confident lad with big dreams. He admits he was “pretty precocious, a pretty aggressive kid. I think my parents knew they had an unusual child.” He honed his big charismatic personality as he worked the crowds at his father’s Canadian restaurant, the Locanda, helping out in the kitchen and kibitzing with the politicians, businessmen and journalists who frequented it. At the age of 15, he set his sights on Los… read more

“Falcon Girls,” is a semi-autobiographical play by Hilary Bettis. This production is also a World Premiere that was further developed by Yale Repertory Theatre. Falcon, Colorado is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. For those unfamiliar with this rural area, it contains numerous horse ranches and small farms. Many of its people still carry the mentality of the “Wild West.” Everyone seems to own a pick-up truck, a gun, and likes to go hunting. However, many will agree that no matter where you live, it’s mostly the women who like to care for horses and other animals. It… read more

Rebecca Kemper Goodheart has been a director, actor, and teacher specializing in Shakespeare and Voice for over 25 years. She is a designated Linklater Voice teacher who has directed over 30 professional and 50 educational productions. Currently serving as the Producing Director of Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven, CT, she has worked with a dozen Shakespeare theaters around the world, and is a proud lifetime member of the Shakespeare Theater Association who chaired the global 2016 Celebration of Shakespeare’s Legacy. Other leadership positions have included Director of Training at SF Shakespeare Festival, Producing Artistic Director for Maryland Shakespeare Festival… read more

After reviewing the Legacy Theatre’s recent production of “The Great American Mousical,” I was inspired to read the novel for young readers published in 2006 that inspired the musical version. The novel for young readers was written by Julie Andrews Edwards and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton. The black and white illustrations throughout the pages were drawn by Tony Walton. The book is part of The Julie Andrews Collection. The Legacy Theatre production was directed in Branford, CT by the iconic Dame Julie Andrews. From the book jacket: “In this loving spoof of life in the theater, we join a… read more

Musical aficionados and Rodgers & Hammerstein fans should plan a trip to see the production of Pipe Dream at the Berkshire Theatre Company’s Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge through Saturday, Aug. 31. Pipe Dream was one of the team’s less successful shows, though it ran for nearly 300 performances (or until the huge advance sale ran out). If you read the show’s history, it seems that every decision the team made turned out to be a mistake, from changes to the source material to casting. Yet the show has some marvelous songs. I wish I could say that this production redeems… read more

A weekend trip to the Berkshires, under two hours from Stratford, is not only scenic but a cultural oasis! I was delighted with a recent trip to Massachusetts where the Berkshires’ professional theatre companies are up and running. There’s a clever high concept play currently at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield where “A Tender Thing” by Ben Power is in residence through July 20. What would happen if Romeo and Juliet did not die and moved into old age together? That’s the basic premise in Power’s intriguing work performed in just under 90 minutes without intermission. The playwright utilizes iambic… read more

NEW CANAAN, CT: Your favorite local theatre is dark because it’s summer. New York City is hot and sweaty, not to mention tickets are still overpriced. Yet, you yearn for theatre. Something fresh, affordable, fun and air conditioned. We have the solution! Come to New Canaan instead! See seven new world premieres by seven new playwrights, curated and presented at the intimate Powerhouse Theatre in bucolic Waveny Park, courtesy of former-New York-based theatre festival, Broadway Bound Theatre Festival. “We’re looking for enthusiastic theatregoers to collaborate with our artists and offer their feedback to these artists from across the country,” BBTF… read more