Bells Will Be Ringing, Choirs Will Be Singing

HSO’s Holiday POPS! Spectacular and Edward Cumming

with Santa Claus. (Photo Steve Laschever)

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra will celebrate “the most wonderful time of the year” at the 2009 Holiday POPS! Spectacular at The Bushnell on Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 pm and on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 3 pm and 8 pm at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Joining in the wintry celebration will be singers from the Hartford Chorale and Connecticut Children’s Chorus, as well as ballet dancers from the Hartt Community Division. The 2009-2010 POPS! Series is presented by United Technologies Corporation.

Festive carols and seasonal favorites will be performed by the HSO and the Hartford Chorale and ballerinas from the Hartt Community Division will twirl onto the stage for selections from The Nutcracker. The Connecticut Children’s Chorus will join in the festivities for a holiday sing-along, as arranged by Hartt School Musical Theater Director Michael Morris. There will even be a special guest appearance from one of the world’s biggest celebrities – Santa Claus – in his musical debut with the HSO.

“We are excited to bring our annual Holiday POPS! Spectacular to the Belding Theater this year,” said HSO Executive Director Kristen Phillips. “The intimate setting of this theater will surround our audience with the sights and sounds of this holiday winter wonderland.”

Ticket Prices range from $12.50 to $72.50 and are available in person Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm at Hartford Symphony Orchestra Ticket Services, 99 Pratt St., Suite 500 in Hartford, or by calling (860) 244-2999, or online at http://www.hartfordsymphony.org/.

Will You Be the Palace's Singular Sensation?

This holiday season, the Palace Theater wants to know: Could you be the one singular sensation they are looking for?

As part of the theater’s year-long Fifth Anniversary celebration, and as a nod to the Webster Broadway Series’ upcoming presentation of A Chorus Line in February, the Palace is hosting a contest to acknowledge its 500,000th ticket buyer. From now until the lucky customer is announced, the Box Office will track Internet, phone, and in-person ticket sales in search of the grand prize winner. Along the way to reaching number 500,000, the Box Office will also award three additional prizes to the 490,000th; 495,000th; and 499,500th customers to sustain momentum until the milestone sale is made.

The Grand Prize winner will walk away with an overnight stay for four at the Holiday Inn/Coco Key Water Resort in Waterbury, inclusive of free passes to the indoor water park; two subscriptions to the Palace’s 2010-2011 Broadway Series; a gourmet dinner for two in the theater’s exclusive Poli Club; a $100 gift certificate to one of the G.R.E.A.T. (Gimme a Reason to Eat Around Town) restaurants; ten Palace Theater drink chits; and a Palace Theater goodie bag. Additionally, the three runner ups at the previously mentioned sales increments will also receive a Palace Theater gift certificate valid for a pair of tickets to a select upcoming performance; a $50 G.R.E.A.T. Restaurant gift certificate, two Palace drink chits, and a Palace Theater goodie bag.

Since the Palace’s reopening in 2004, more than 480,000 tickets have been purchased to date. Based on Box Office sales, the theater expects to make its 500,000th ticket sale sometime between mid-November and the first week of February. Customers should note that the contest only applies to paid ticket purchases. Palace gift certificates are excluded from this promotion.

Tickets to all Palace Theater presentation can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the Palace Theater Box Office, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury.

Bob Newhart Kicks Off November Events at the Palace

The Palace Theater in Waterbury offers number of one-night events this month starting with a performance by comedian Bob Newhart this sunday at 7:30pm.

Newhart’s career has spanned two successful television shows, 14 feature films, and millions of albums sold worldwide. Fans flock to his live performances to hear such Newhart standards as The Driving Instructor, Sir Walter Raleigh, and The Submarine Commander. Sponsored by Naugatuck Savings Bank and WTNH/MyTV9.
TICKETS: $67.75/ $57.75/ $47.75/ $37.75

SoulSummer.com presents THE QUEEN PROJECT
Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 pm
Grammy Award-winners Tamia, Kelly Price and Deborah Cox unite their three dynamic voices to celebrate women empowerment. These trend setting women are some of the industry's most talented vocalists in the genres of R&B, Soul and Pop, and are currently promoting their new single "QUEEN.” The concert will feature a compilation of R&B and soul sounds, featuring original compositions, as well as standards. Tickets: $82/ $72/ $46

Jammins Entertainment presents Soul Legends Concert
Friday, Nov. 27 at 8 pm
A memorable night of soul music starring Russell Thompkins, Jr. and The New Stylistics (“Stone in Love with You,” and “Stop, Look & Listen”) the Original Manhattans ("Kiss and Say Goodbye" and "I Wanna Be Your Everything”) featuring Gerald Alston & Blue Lovett; and Rose Royce (“Car Wash” and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”).
TICKETS: $88/ $78/ $68/ $58

The SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4pm
The Spirit of Christmas takes you on a magical journey to a winter wonderland of fun and festive cheer. Enjoy all your favorite Christmas songs and meet Santa Claus and his merry helpers, tap-dancing penguins, singing mice, elephants in pink tutus, naughty elves, and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole!
Tickets: $55/ $45/ $35

For all events, visit www.palacetheaterct.org or call 203-346-2000.

Jobs in Connecticut Arts

The job market is tough, but some of Connecticut's arts institutions are looking to hire. Here are some of the opportunities available:

Long Wharf:
Manager of Institutional Relations
Part time IT Manager

Westport Country Playhouse:
Director of Development

Goodspeed Musicals:
Part time telemarketing

Hartford Stage:
Run crew positions for A Christmas Carol
Education Assistant

Greater Hartford Arts Council:
Assistant Director of Development

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art:
Part time Driver
Part time Information Desk Attendant

Westport Offers Holiday Special Events

The Broadway Boys

In celebration of the holiday season, Westport Country Playhouse announces a festival of eight special events, including concerts, dance, theater and films, beginning Dec. 5 and continuing on selected Thursdays through Sundays until Dec.20.

“What’s better than one holiday show? How about eight! This December, we’re delighted to present a wide array of holiday fare for our community,” said Michael Ross, Playhouse managing director. “There’s something for everyone and all affordably priced. I look forward to one and all visiting the Playhouse for their holiday entertainment.”

Ballet Etudes will present the seasonal family favorite, “The Nutcracker,” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, at 1 and 4 pm. With music by Tchaikovsky, the magical story features American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Michele Wiles and New York City Ballet soloist Arch Higgins. Tickets are $30 adults; $18 children.

This Wonderful Life, a one-man re-imagining of Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film, will be staged on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 8 pm. Mark Setlock, who starred in Rent and Fully Committed, will portray George Bailey, Clarence the Angel, Mary, Old Man Potter and 20 more of Bedford Falls’ finest citizens. The production is written by Steve Murray, conceived by Mark Setlock and directed by Martha Banta. Tickets are $25.

“A Christmas Story,” a delightful film about growing up in the 1940s and wanting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, will be screened on Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 pm. The movie stars Peter Billingsley and Melinda Dillon. Prior to the film at 6:30 pm., appetizers and specialty drinks will be served in the lobby, and guests will have a chance to win a campy Leg Lamp, as featured in the film. Tickets are $15.

Sing-a-long “White Christmas,” starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney---and for this special sing-a-long event, the audience!---will be screened on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 pm. The movie’s marvelous Irving Berlin score includes “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Mandy,” “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Gee I Wish I Was Back in the Army” and, of course, “White Christmas.” Tickets are $10.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” a comedy-fantasy film starring Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, is set for Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3 pm. When Kris Kringle encounters an unbelieving child while working in Macy’s, he goes on trial to prove he’s truly Santa Claus. Prior to the film, there will be cookie decorating for kids in the lobby. Audience members are encouraged to bring a toy donation for charity and receive a free cookie. Tickets are $10

The Klezmatics, globally renowned world music superstars, will offer music steeped in Jewish tradition and spirituality on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 8 pm. Their album, “Wonder Wheel,” won the 2006 Grammy Award as the Best Contemporary World Music Album. In a career spanning over 20 years and nine albums, The Klezmatics’ holiday and non-holiday music is wild, mystical, provocative, reflective and ecstatically danceable. Tickets are $35.

Rondi Charleston, jazz vocalist, songwriter and Westport resident, will perform selections from her CD/DVD, “In My Life,” a melodic tapestry of jazz, pop, Brazilian and Great American Songbook influences, on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8 pm. Ms. Charleston has performed at Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, Birdland and many other national venues. Ms. Charleston will present exciting new material from her forthcoming release as well as standards and jazz-themed holiday tunes. Tickets are $30.

The Broadway Boys, a collection of the hottest male voices currently working on the New York stage, will present a concert of Broadway and holiday favorites, on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 pm. Through their dynamic vocal prowess and redefining arrangements, The Broadway Boys add elements of pop, funk, gospel, jazz and folk to show tunes and classic pop songs. Tickets are $35.

Holiday events’ board of trustees partner is Darlene Krenz; production partners are Bank of America and Sun Products Corporation.

For more information or ticket purchases, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.westportplayhouse.org/.

Choirs Needed to Sing with Sister

Ever wanted to sing Christmas carols on stage? Long Wharf Theatre can make that holiday wish a reality during the run of the hit interactive comedy Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold from Dec. 1 through Dec. 20.

Long Wharf Theatre is looking for choirs of four people to sing at the top of show, and again in the second act. Choirs would need to be at the theatre an hour and a half before the show in order to rehearse prior to the performance. They will be allowed to choose three songs they want to sing, but will be asked to sing specific songs for most of the show. Choirs will be needed for most performances during the run.

For more information, contact Production Assistant Meghan Kane at http://www.blogger.com/meghan.kane@longwharf.orgor at 203-787-4284, ext. 286.

It’s "Forensic Files” goes to Bethlehem in Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold, a holiday mystery extravaganza by the author of the summer hit Late Nite Catechism. Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages – whatever happened to the Magi’s gold? Retelling the story of the nativity, as only Sister can, employing her own scientific tools, and assisted by local choirs as well as a gaggle of audience members, Sister creates a living nativity unlike any ever seen.
FAST FACTS

Sister’s Christmas Catechism
• Dec.1-20, 2009
• Stage II
• Tickets: $28
• Box office phone number: 203-787-4282
• Website: http://www.longwharf.org/.

Goodspeed Will Break Ground on Major Actors' Housing Expansion

Goodspeed Musicals will build a $5.5 million project with 17 new homes to be used for actor housing on the Goodspeed Campus in East Haddam.

The New Actor Housing initiative represents the largest capital project in Goodspeed history. Construction is set to begin this Fall with a target completion date of Fall 2010.

“With this project, Goodspeed is building not only homes, but an artistic village that will come alive with actors and artisans,” said Michael Price, Goodspeed’s executive director. “No other theatre in the country can offer such a campus and all of us at Goodspeed are grateful to so many of our members and supporters who have made this a reality. During this uncertain economic climate, it is also encouraging to spur employment for dozens of construction workers, carpenters, electricians, painters and more."

Goodspeed owns nine old houses in the East Haddam Village where its actors, directors, designers and technical staff stay during rehearsals and performances. These houses become their home away from home since most live permanently in New York City. Unfortunately these old houses were not designed for this style of living. Seasoned professionals live in cramped, boarding house-style quarters where they are frequently asked to share a living space with as many as thirteen other people or a bathroom with three or four strangers.

Several years ago, Goodspeed determined that it was essential to build attractive housing that provides comfort, privacy, and proximity to the Goodspeed Opera House. By expanding housing availability, Goodspeed will also have the ability to produce more shows and run them for a longer period of time.

Patrick Pinnell, a local architect and noted urban planner from Haddam, CT, worked with the Goodspeed team to create the concept for integrating the new homes into the existing Goodspeed campus and designing them to fit within the historic East Haddam Village. Throughout the planning process, the team’s charge was to meet Goodspeed’s challenging needs while combining modern sensibility with a keen appreciation for the historic aspect of Goodspeed’s home in East Haddam.

The plan, which includes a nmber of "green" elements, includes building 17 new homes with a total of 65 new bedrooms, all within walking distance to the Goodspeed Opera House. The homes will contain three or six bedrooms with shared kitchens and living rooms. Each bedroom will have a private bathroom. One house will have two one-bedroom “star apartments” for the leading actors.

Several of the existing houses will be retained for continued use by Goodspeed while others will be sold for retail/residential use and one will be torn down.

More than half of the required funds for th porject already have been raised through private and public sources, including a $2.5 million grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

"The Goodspeed New Actor Housing project is a smart investment and very good news for our state," Governor Rell said. "It creates new jobs for Connecticut workers right now, causes economic development in a rural community and promotes Connecticut culture and tourism for many years to come. This is a project where everybody wins, especially our residents."

The official ground breaking will occur in November and construction will follow immediately. Those interested in bidding on construction contracts may contact Signature Construction Services International, LLC at www.signaturecsllc.com or 860-963-8905. All construction bids must be received by 5 pm, Nov. 2, 2009.

Music Direction Program to Launch at Goodspeed

Goodspeed Musicals’ Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater announces the Music Direction Intensive a brand new program from the Goodspeed Musical Theatre Institute which creates a bridge between emerging artists and seasoned professional artists.

This highly selective program will take place on the Goodspeed Musicals campus Jan. 18-23 and it will provide a limited number of individuals with practical training in all aspects of music direction. The six-day intensive will offer participants the opportunity to work with internationally renowned experts in music direction while networking with industry professionals.

Participants will use the latest technology to receive hands-on training in the management and implementation of the audition, rehearsal, and orchestration process. Participants will also attend nightly lectures given by industry experts on pertinent subjects relating to real world success in the field.

Goodspeed pioneered the practice of rethinking, restoring, and revitalizing America’s musical theatre heritage. This new program will be the first intensive music direction training program in the country. As students, young artists are not taught how to be a music director, most people gain experiential knowledge and skills as an assistant. This course of study is aimed at giving future music directors the tools they need to become leaders in the industry.

The one-of-a-kind intensive curriculum features lectures and practicum including innovative programs like

• “So You Want to be a Music Director?”, where participants will have an opportunity to join in a discussion on the principles of music direction and to share their personal stories and goals
• The Audition Process, including a discussion of the elements that create a positive and successful audition process for the creative team and for those auditioning
• The Rehearsal Process, during which students learn how to create a productive rehearsal environment
• Working with the Director, a look at the relationship between the MD and the director, creating incidental music to suit the needs of the director, and adjusting the vocal and orchestral score to accommodate the vision of the director
• The Rehearsal, when participants will sit in on a rehearsal for a new musical in production.

Additional programs include Orchestrating for the Musical Theatre, Use of Electronic Sound in Musical Theatre, Conducting for the Musical Theatre, Working with the Choreographer, Vocal Arranging, and The Business of the Business, an informative discussion of the business elements involved in a career as a musical director, ownership of intellectual property and the typical responsibilities assigned to various job titles.

“This new program will help Goodspeed strengthen our commitment to developing new artists,” said Michael P. Price, executive director of Goodspeed Musicals. “It’s exciting for us to see the Goodspeed education program grow and foster new relationships with the best and brightest new music directors as they work together to create the future of musical theatre,” he added.

While at Goodspeed, the MDI participants will work with several industry leaders including Michael O’Flaherty, the only resident music director for musical theatre in the country; Line Producer Donna Cooper Hilton; Orchestrator Dan DeLange; and award-winning Director Rob Ruggiero.

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Bob Newhart to Appear at Palace

Comedy and television icon Bob Newhart will perform his classic comedy standards "The Driving Instructor," "Sir Walter Raleigh," "The Submarine Commander" and many more, during his one-night-only performance 7:30pm Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury.

Before the performance, the Palace will be offering patrons a 5:30pm pre-show dinner in the Poli Club, located on the theater’s mezzanine level. Dinner is $40 per member or $50 per non-member (includes tax, gratuity, coffee, tea) and is limited to 30 people. Cash bar is also available. To make reservations, call the Box Office at 203-346-2000.

Tickets for Bob Newhart are $37.75-67.75, and can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, online at http://www.palacetheaterct.org/, or in person at the Palace Theater Box Office, 100 East Main St. Groups of 20 or more qualify for special discounts and should call the Group Sales Hotline at 203-346-2002.

Holiday Shows Set at Long Wharf

Long Wharf Theatre will offer a pair of holiday events, Sister’s Christmas Catechism, by Maripat Donovan, from Dec. 1-20, and Steve Solomon’s one-man show My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, and I’m Home for the Holidays, from Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 2-3.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at (203) 787-4282 or visit the theatre’s website at www.longwharf.org.