Author: Stuart Brown

CLICK HERE for the complete program of the 2024 CT CRITICS CIRCLE, which includes nominees. New Haven — A innovative production of Arthur Miller’s “A View From the Bridge” at Long Wharf Theatre and a high-spirited, buoyant production of “Summer Stock” at Goodspeed Musicals took top honors at the 32nd annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards (ctcritics.org) held on Monday, June 24. The event, which celebrates the work from the state’s professional theaters during the 2023 – 2024 season, was held at the Iseman Theater, part of Yale Repertory Theatre, in downtown New Haven. This year the awards were spread out… read more

Long Wharf Theatre’s innovative staging of the Arthur Miller classic, “A View From the Bridge” and A Contemporary Theatre’s (ACT of CT) rousing production of “Kinky Boots” lead the shows nominated for the 32nd annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards. The awards event, which celebrates the best in professional theater in the state, will be held Monday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Yale Repertory Theater’s Iseman Theatre in downtown New Haven. “A View From the Bridge” earned nine nominations, including outstanding play production, director, and best actor. “Kinky Boots” received eight nods, including outstanding musical production, director, choreographer, leading actor… read more

Have you ever lost sleep pondering the fate of The Bard’s female characters? If so, you have a treat in store for you as Elm Shakespeare has a new and novel show designed with you in mind. Tonight, May 16 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. Southern CT State University’s Blackbox Theatre, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven will be alive with Tina Packer’s unique production of “Women of Will,” an intimate look at the females who populate Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies with humor, passion,… read more

The 32nd Annual Connecticut Critics Circle (CCC) Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Yale Repertory Theatre, Iseman Theater from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. The event is open to the public. CLICK ON THE “READ MORE” BUTTON for the link – To RSVP to the event. We hope you will join us in helping the Connecticut Critics Circle, a not-for-profit organization, celebrate theater in Connecticut, honor the artists who make it happen and help us create opportunities for a new generation of theater enthusiasts. CLICK ON THE “READ MORE” BUTTON for the link – for information… read more

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts recently announced their 2024-2025 Broadway Series season. Beginning this fall, The Bushnell will bring these exciting Broadway hits to Hartford: the uplifting true story A Beautiful Noise; Disney’s best-loved musical The Lion King; the electrifying, hit-filled MJ the Musical; the high-flying hit Peter Pan; the groundbreaking The Wiz; the spectacular Some Like It Hot; and the award-winning, feel-good adventure Back to the Future: The Musical. The 2024-2025 Bushnell Broadway Series is once again sponsored by Travelers with support from Webster Bank. In addition to the seven shows in the Broadway subscription, patrons will… read more

Broadway Bound Theatre Festival (BBTF), in partnership with The Town Players of Connecticut, will be holding their 2024 season this summer at the POWERHOUSE THEATRE in Waveny Park in New Canaan. “Our first year in Connecticut, we’re pleased to offer something for everyone,” BBTF Festival Director Lenore Skomal said. “We’re so proud to host seven new playwrights, representing states from the West Coast to our home state, everything from comedies, dramadies to allegorical tales. Bringing talented new voices to the stage is our passion and this should prove our finest year yet.” The Festival runs from Thursday, Aug. 8 through… read more

Ruth Bader Ginsburg may have been short of stature but she was a giant in the world of legal justice, for women and men, Jews, blacks and Native Americans, and children. She was an outspoken advocate for gender equality for anyone who needed a voice, the “left out people,” winning arguments before the Supreme Court long before she became an illustrious member herself. A trailblazer, a member of the Harvard Law School, one of only nine women against five hundred men, Ruth employed liberal views of the law and never stepped back when she saw an injustice. Along the way,… read more

Irene Backalenick — a nationally known journalist, theater critic, and a founding member of the Connecticut Critics Circle, passed away at home on December 16, 2023. She was 102 years old. Longtime friend and colleague Marlene Gaylinn remembers Irene. I met Irene when I began writing theatre reviews for “The Darien News-Review.” My editor, Virginia Bates, knew Irene from the CT Press Club and informed me that we may have something in common. It was at the Press Club that we first met. Soon afterwards, Irene became one of the founders of The Connecticut Critics Circle and I became one… read more

I don’t do a ten-best list; instead, I like to recall some of my favorite shows of the past year. My NYC City Favorites: Other critics loved some of these and didn’t like some. But I am glad I saw them. I thoroughly enjoyed: Merrily We Roll Along – this Sondheim musical had a rocky original run, but the score is so good that productions keep popping up. This revival (now on Broadway, but I saw it off-Broadway) makes a strong case for its worth. Parade ­­– Another show that had a disappointing initial run; it got a stellar revival… read more

For some people, winter signals a time for sledding, skating, snowboarding and snowman making. For others, like me, the highlight of the cold weather months is a special weekend, this year Friday to Sunday, January 12-14, when music theater lovers gather in East Haddam for the 2024 Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals. Come join this magical celebration. Hopefully the weatherman will cooperate and there will be no need for snow shoes or skis, just for open hearts and minds to the wonders that musical theater offers in abundance. For the 18th year, Goodspeed is presenting a weekend with a trio… read more