Wagner's Ring Gets Quick Cycle

Wagner’s “Ring” Cycle returns to Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. All four of The Met: Live in HD transmissions from the recent Metropolitan Opera House productions by visionary director Robert Lepage receive consecutive encore broadcasts this month, beginning with a screening of Wagner’s Dream, a documentary film based on the ‘making-of’ this new cycle.

The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen features a cast of today’s greatest Wagnerian singers, led by Bryn Terfel (Wotan), Deborah Voigt (Brünnhilde), Jay Hunter Morris (Siegfried), and Jonas Kaufmann (Siegmund). The four-opera epic is directed by Robert Lepage and conducted by Met Music Director James Levine and the company’s Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi. The production premiered at the Met over the course of the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons.
 
 German composer Richard Wagner (1813–1883) was one of the most influential figures of 19th-century music. His idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk, or “total work of art,” combining music, theater, literature, architecture, and other disciplines, has had an impact far beyond the world of opera. The Ring cycle is his masterpiece and took an astounding 26 years to complete. Its story is loosely based on the medieval Icelandic Edda epics and the German Nibelungenlied. The protagonists—Wotan, the king of the gods, his warrior daughter Brünnhilde, and the hero Siegfried—are caught up in the struggle over a magical ring that gives unlimited power.
 
 
 The screening schedule is as follows:

Thursday, May 17, 2012
6 p.m. – Pre-performance talk with Peter Shimkin in Wien Experimental Theatre
7 p.m.  – Wagner’s Dream
 A new documentary film by Susan Froemke. (Run Time: 1 hour, 55 min)
A backstage look at the enormous theatrical and musical challenges of staging opera’s most monumental work, the film chronicles the five-year journey to create the most ambitious staging in Met history, featuring a 90,000-pound set nicknamed "The Machine.” Soprano Deborah Voigt is torn between excitement and fear as she prepares to take on the role of Brünnhilde for the first time, while unexpected drama arises as a new tenor, Jay Hunter Morris, steps in as the Ring’s hero, Siegfried – days before the production's world premiere.
$15, $12.50 seniors, $10 children/students
 
Friday, May 18, 2012
5:30 p.m.  – Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold)
 Conceived by Wagner as a prologue to the Ring cycle, Das Rheingold sets forth the dramatic issues that play out in the three subsequent operas. Gold from the depths of the Rhine River is stolen by the dwarf Alberich, who uses it to forge a ring that will give him unlimited power. The theft sets in motion a course of events that will eventually alter the order of the universe. Bryn Terfel as Wotan, lord of the gods, heads the cast.
 Conductor: James Levine
 Cast: Wendy Bryn Harmer, Stephanie Blythe, Patricia Bardon; Richard Croft, Gerhard Siegel, Bryn Terfel, Eric Owens, Franz-Josef Selig, Hans-Peter König.
Original live transmission: October 9, 2010
 Run Time: 2 hours, 46 mins. (no intermission)
$20, $18 seniors, $15 children/students
 
Monday, May 21, 2012
5:30 p.m. – Die Walküre (The Valkyrie)
 This extraordinarily powerful work of theater focuses on some of the Ring’s most interesting characters at decisive moments of their lives: Wotan, whose violation of his own laws has jeopardized the gods’ rule; his twin offspring, Siegmund and Sieglinde, who are meant to save the gods; and, above all, his heroic Valkyrie daughter Brünnhilde, who makes a fateful decision that shatters her world. This production marked soprano Deborah Voigt’s first performances as Brünnhilde. Bryn Terfel again is Wotan, Jonas Kaufmann and Eva-Maria Westbroek star as the twins, Siegmund and Sieglinde, and Stephanie Blythe sings Fricka.
 Conductor: James Levine
 Cast: Deborah Voigt, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Stephanie Blythe; Jonas Kaufmann, Bryn Terfel, Hans-Peter König.
Original live transmission: May 14, 2011
 Run Time: 4 hours, 15 min. (15 min. intermission)
$20, $18 seniors, $15 children/students
 
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
5:30 p.m. – Siegfried
 Part three of the Ring follows the journey of Siegfried, son of Siegmund and Sieglinde, from naive fearless boy to supreme hero. With the re-forged sword of his father, he conquers magical obstacles to reach his prize, Brünnhilde. Jay Hunter Morris took over the title role, one of the most demanding in the repertoire, days before the production’s premiere and reprised his acclaimed portrayal in this live transmission the following week. Deborah Voigt is Brünnhilde and Bryn Terfel sings the Wanderer.
 Conductor: Fabio Luisi
 Cast: Deborah Voigt, Patricia Bardon; Jay Hunter Morris, Gerhard Siegel, Bryn Terfel, Eric Owens.
 Run Time: 4 hours, 25 mins. (15 min. intermission)
Original live transmission: November 5, 2011
$20, $18 seniors, $15 children/students

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
5:30 p.m. – Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods)
 The Ring cycle concludes with a cataclysmic climax of betrayal and loss as focus shifts from the realm of the gods to the power and ambition of human beings. It is left to Brünnhilde, in the legendary Immolation Scene that brings the cycle to a close, to restore balance to the world. Deborah Voigt stars as Brünnhilde and Jay Hunter Morris is Siegfried—the star-crossed lovers doomed by fate.
 Conductor: Fabio Luisi
 Cast: Deborah Voigt, Wendy Bryn Harmer, Waltraud Meier; Jay Hunter Morris, Iain Paterson, Eric Owens, Hans-Peter König.
Original live transmission: February 11, 2012
 Run Time: 4 hours, 48 mins. (15 min. intermission)
$20, $18 seniors, $15 children/students

Bundle Price for all 5 broadcasts: $80 reg., $70 seniors, $60 children/students
Bundle packages cannot be purchased online.
Patrons must call or visit the Box Office for these purchases.

 Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396. (1-877-278-7396). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.quickcenter.com.

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit www.quickcenter.com

Terrence Mann, Pat Sajak on Tap This Summer in Summer Series at UConn

Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s popular Nutmeg Summer Series will feature two award-winning Broadway musicals, Man of La Mancha and Pirates of Penzance, and Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple starring Pat Sajak and Joe Moore. Tickets are available as a subscription or as single tickets by calling 860-486-2113 and visiting www.crt.uconnn.edu.

The season will kick-off with the five-time Tony Award-winning musical, Man of La Mancha.  Broadway legend and last season’s Henry Higgins Terrence Mann returns to play the unforgettable Don Quixote.  Mann originated the roles of Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Javert in Les Miserables, and the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. He leads a cast which includes last summer’s audience favorite Richard Ruiz who played Alfred Dooliitle in last summer’s My Fair Lady and Alix Paige who played Eliza.

The Odd Couple will star Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak as Felix Unger and veteran news anchor and featured actor in the original "Hawaii Five-0" Joe Moore as Oscar Madison. Sajak and Moore will be joined on stage by Broadway veteran comic actors Patrick Kerr as Vinnie.  Kerr is probably best known for his recurring role as Noel Shempsky on TV’s "Frasier" and appearances on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld."

CRT welcomes back master comedian Steve Hayes (Horton the Elephant in last summer’s production of Seussical the Musical) as the Modern Major General in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance.  Hayes is the winner of the Backstage Bistro Award for Comedy Performer of the Year, and three-time winner of the MAC Award for Outstanding Comedian.  Liz Larsen, as Ruth, will join him onstage.

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

Evening performances start at 7:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 on Saturdays and Sundays. Subscription package options range from $30 to $93. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $45.

All performances will be in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the UConn campus, Storrs.  The venue offers air-conditioned comfort and convenient free parking in Lot 9 and paid parking in the North Garage.

Subscribers also have the option of pre-purchasing dinner at the Nathan Hale Inn and ice cream dessert at the UConn Dairy Bar with their subscription packages. Call 860-486-2113 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.

Casting Completed for Shakespeare on the Sound's R&J

Stew and Joanna Settle

Shakespeare on the Sound, Connecticut’s premier outdoor summer theater company, will present a newly conceived production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, under the direction of Joanna Settle, this June and July for the company’s 17th season. 

Romeo and Juliet will feature Ali Ahn (Juliet), David Cale (Friar), Matt Citron (Mercutio), Will Cohn (Benvolio), William Jackson Harper (Romeo), Rachael Holmes (Lady Capulet/Tybalt), Damian Lemar Hudson (Singer/Paris), Chinasa Ogbuagu (Nurse),and Tony Torn (Capulet).  Shakespeare on the Sound presents an annual production in two beautiful waterfront parks in the towns of Greenwich and Rowayton, and admission is always free of charge.

This year’s production of Romeo and Juliet is conceived as a dinner party among eight friends who have an annual tradition of reading a Shakespeare play on a gorgeous summer’s night.  Over the course of reading the play, the story will take over and guests both on-stage and off will find themselves completely consumed by the momentum and poetry of the events in Shakespeare's great love story.

As previously announced, Stew and Heidi Rodewald will again return to Shakespeare on the Sound to create all-new music and songs for this production.  Lyrics will be provided by both Shakespeare and Stew.  In addition, this year’s production will kick off with a specially commissioned scene for the show’s dinner party which Stew will write and develop in rehearsal with the show’s acting company.  Also, in a first for Shakespeare on the Sound, the production will premiere in Greenwich and then make its move to Rowayton, playing two locations on Long Island Sound: Baldwin Park in Greenwich (June 26 – July 8, 2012) and Pinkney Park in Rowayton (July 18 – July 29, 2012).

Set Design is by Laura Jellinek, Costume Design is by Tilly Grimes, Lighting Design is by Keith Parham, Sound System Design is by Jessica Paz, Sound Design is by Obadiah Eaves, and Choreography is by David Neumann.

Now in its 17th season, Shakespeare on the Sound has established itself as one of the most popular summer theater companies on the East Coast, drawing large audiences to each performance in the unique under-the-stars settings of its waterfront venues – Pickney Park in Rowayton and Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich. 

For more information on Shakespeare on the Sound, visit www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

Yale Project Pairs 8th Graders, Theater Mentors

Yale Repertory Theatre and Yale School of Drama announce the17th annual Dwight/Edgewood Project (D/EP).  This annual after-school initiative pairs eight local middle-school students with Yale School of Drama mentors, designers, and directors. The students spend the month of June learning about theatre and writing original plays.  The program culminates in performances of the students’ work at New Haven’s Off-Broadway Theater.

Eight original plays, written by the young playwrights and designed, produced, and performed by Yale School of Drama students, will be presented over two evenings. Performance dates are Friday, June 22nd and Saturday, June 23rd at 7:00PM.  New Haven’s Off-Broadway Theater is located at 41 Broadway.  Admission is free and open to the public.  Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

D/EP 2012 will include 8 local students from Augusta Lewis Troup School, who were chosen by school staff includingLighthouse Resource Teacher Judith Goodrich, based on their interest in writing and storytelling. This year’s playwrights includeSaschin Choy (6th grade), Nikolaos Constantopoulos (6th grade),Faith Harris (6th grade), RaQuan Jones (6th grade),Daneel Morrison (7th grade), Paris Ransom (6th grade), andSaran Toure (6th grade). An eighth playwright will be announced later.

The staff of the Dwight/Edgewood Project 2012 includes Merlin Huffand Melissa Zimmerman (Co-Producing Directors), Jack Tamburri andDustin Willis (Directors), Rachel Gordon Smallwood (Scenic Designer),Nikki Delhomme (Costume Designer), Benjamin Ehrenreich (Lighting Designer),Keri Klick (Sound Designer), Sonja Thorson (Production Stage Manager),Brian Smallwood (Technical Director), and Maree Barbara Tan-Tiongco (Assistant Technical Director). Mentors include Jabari Brisport (Yale Presidential Public Service Fellow), Ceci Fernandez,Sophie von Haselberg, Mary Laws, Dan O’Brien, Emily Reilly,and Jon Wemette.

Michael Walkup, YSD ’08 and former D/EP director ’06-’07 and Artistic Coordinator ’08, will join the company for his second season as the program’sPlaymaking Teaching Artist.

The Dwight/Edgewood Project 2012 is made possible in part by Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama, Yale University Office of New Haven and State Affairs, Ms. Esme Usdan, The Lucille Lortel Foundation, and individual donors.

Movies, Deulin Pianos Benefit The Palace

Dim the lights and pop the popcorn because Keys To The City’s  popular dueling piano players are returning to Waterbury for the Palace Theater’s third annual end-of-the-season celebration, Keys Goes to the Movies, on Saturday, June 2, at 7 pm. Tickets for the movie-themed fundraising event are $50, and can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury.

In honor of the Palace’s early years as a silent film and movie house, this year’s event pays tribute to the stars and staples of the silver screen. Following a red carpet arrival, the first 250 guests will be ushered onto the Palace stage and seated at one of the night’s movie-themed tables, where they'll be transported to a variety of locations from Hollywood’s famous films, including the Moroccan coast of “Casablanca” and the terrifying terrain of “JurassicPark.”

The evening’s entertainment will once again be provided byKeys to the City’s dueling piano players, whowill tackle the crowd’s musical requests, along with memorable songs from  popular soundtracks, including Grease and Saturday Night Fever.Local vocalist Leo Dimo will also perform for guests during the event’s cocktail hour.

The night will feature food stations byEmily’sCatering Group, complimentary cocktails (two per person), and a livedrawing announcing the eight winners of thePalace's 2012 Annual Raffle.  Last minute tickets will be available on the night of the event so guests will have one last chance to enter to win a Grand Prize tropical vacation for two to Costa Rica.

Created by committee members Emma Barone, Cathy Bochicchio,Christine Jones, Liz LaCava, Terry Longo, Lynnette Piombo, Dawn Maiorano, Nicki Maiorano, and Sharon Zilahy, the Palace’s originalKeys to Our Future event was held in 2010 as the culmination to the theater’s fifth anniversary season. As a result of the evening’s fundraising success, it returns to the Palace stage for a third year with proceeds once again benefitting the theater’s Annual Fund.

Keys Goes to the Movies is sponsored in part by Emily’s Catering Group, Arts & Tourism Committee - City ofWaterbury, Maiorano Funeral Home,Powerstation Events,Universal Copy andWATR Radio 1320AM.

Clive Cussler, Judy Blume, Joan Didion Speak to Benefit Mark Twain House

Cussler at the Museum June 14; Blume at UHart June 21; Didion at Hartford Stage June 28

Three famed American writers -- the top-notch adventure writer Clive Cussler; the beloved chronicler of adolescence Judy Blume; and journalist, novelist and memoirist Joan Didion -- will make appearances in June to benefit The Mark Twain House & Museum.

Clive Cussler. Photo:Rob Greer

Clive Cussler
Thursday, June 14 at 7:30 pm
Mark Twain House & Museum

The grand master of adventure comes to the home of Mark Twain. New York Times bestselling author Clive Cussler is the author or coauthor of more than 40 previous books, including 21 Dirk Pitt tales, eight NUMA Files adventures, eight Oregon Files books, the Isaac Bell historical thrillers, and the Fargo adventures. He is also the founder of the real NUMA, which, led by Cussler, searches for shipwrecks of historic significance.

Tickets are $45 ($40 for Mark Twain House & Museum members). A VIP ticket, which includes a reception with Clive Cussler at 6 pm, is $85. Call 860-280-3130.

Judy Blume
Thursday, June 21 at 7:30 pm
The Clemens Lecture
Lincoln Theater, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford

Judy Blume

One of the best-loved writers for children, young adults and grown-ups, Judy Blume has more than 80 million books in print including "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," "Superfudge," "Blubber," "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great," and "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."
Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980s, she began to reach out to writers, teachers and librarians who were under fire. Since then, she has worked with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read.

Tickets: $25 and $40. A VIP ticket, which includes VIP seating and pre-event reception with Judy Blume, is $85. For tickets call 860-768-4228 or go to www.hartford.edu/hartt.

Joan Didion

Joan Didion
Thursday, June 28 at 7 pm
Hartford Stage, 50 Church St.

The Friends of The Mark Twain House present An Evening with Joan Didion. Journalist, novelist, screenwriter, essayist and memoirist Didion won the National Book Award for her stark "The Year of Magical Thinking," a look at her grief in the year after the death of her husband, Hartford's own John Gregory Dunne.  She followed with "Blue Nights" about her complicated relationship with her daughter, Quintana Roo.

Followed by a dessert reception and book signing.
Tickets are $40, $30 for Mark Twain House & Museum members and Hartford Stage subscribers. Call 860-527-5151, or go to www.hartfordstage.org.

Theater Review: My Name is Asher Lev -- Long Wharf



Ari Brand, Melissa Miller and Mark Nelson. Photo: T. Charles Erickson

Conflict Between Family, Art Paints Gripping Personal Portrait
By Lauren Yarger

The sparsely furnished Brooklyn apartment (Eugene Lee designs it) is devoid of color, its most distinguishing feature a large window that looks out on the world. It forms a prison of sorts for the son of a devout Jewish family whose religion and traditions make it impossible for him to embrace the burst of color that is the artistic gift within him. 

Such is the conflict of My Name is Asher Lev, adapted for the stage by Aaron Posner from the novel by Chaim Potok, and closing out the season at Long Wharf Theatre. The artist’s story is told in narrative form by Asher (Ari Brand), who recalls his need to express life through his art as early as the age of 6. Asher's mysterious gift is discouraged by his father, Ari (Mark Nelson), a leader in their 1950s Hassidic Crown Heights community, who travels on important work for the rebbe (the group’s spiritual leader), and by his mother, Riv (Melissa Miller).  

His father thinks drawing is a waste of time. Isn’t it more important to study the Torah and Talmud? He tells his son to fight his urge to draw. His mother urges Asher to respect his father – and to draw pretty things instead of offensive images like nudes and crucifixions. 

“It’s not a pretty world,” Asher says. “I won’t paint it that way.” 

The boy can’t smother the artistic flame that burns within him, even after it is doused by the death of his uncle and his mother’s subsequent depression. It rekindles and he becomes the pupil of another great Jewish artist  who recognizes the genius in Asher’s gift and sets out to his own masterpiece: “a living, breathing David." 

Nelson and Miller play multiple people in Asher’s life and make seamless transitions between distinctly crafted characters under Gordon Edelstein’s skillful direction (Posner’s script also very clearly maps out what is taking place and who’s who). Original music and sound design by John Gromada underscores the tone and excellent lighting design by Chris Akerlind highlights the conflict and Asher’s isolation. 

The 90-minute production is moving, heart wrenching and well played. The conflict isn't restricted to one religion, or one calling that must be answered. It is something which touches the lives of every person who has striggled to find his or her true self. Don’t miss it at Long Wharf’s Mainstage where it runs through May 27.

Tickets are $40-$70. For a complete performance schedule, visit www.longwharf.org.

Theater Review: Mame -- Goodspeed

Louise Pitre, center, and the cast of Mame. Photo: Diane Sobolewski

Goodspeed Charms the Corn Right off the Husk of This Musical

By Lauren Yarger

Tony nominee Louise Pitre (Mamma Mia) brings to life a legendary stage persona in an engaging and well staged production of the Jerry Herman musical Mame to open the Goodspeed Opera House’s 2012-2013 season. 

Directed by Ray Roderick, Pitre is more elegant, reserved and smaller volumed in singing voice than you might be expecting if the Mame Dennis you have in mind is the one portrayed by Rosalind Russell, Angela Lansbury or Lucille Ball in previous stage and film adaptations, but she brings her own charm to the character. You can’t help liking the fun-loving, free spirited woman who embraces life at full force. 

The story (book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee) begins before the stock market crash of 1929.  Mame is New York’s hostess with the mostest, throwing gay parties in her elegant apartment (James Youmans designs the set) with the help of actress friend Vera Charles (Judy Blazer) and faithful servant Ito (James Seol). Anyone who’s anyone attends, including publisher M. Lindsay Woolsey (James Beaman) and Ralph Devine (Alan Gillespie), headmaster of a progressive and controversial new school in the village called The Laboratory of Life. 

Her life is interrupted by the arrival of her orphan nephew, Patrick (Eli Baker), and his governess, Agnes Gooch (Kirsten Wyatt). Mame and the boy quickly bond as she exposes him to all her world has to offer, while trying to keep his more conservative, traditional trustee, Dwight Babcock (Paul Carlin) appeased.

Everything changes when Mame loses everything in the crash and Patrick is sent off to boarding school. The story continues at almost break-neck speed as Mame tries a series of failed careers then ends up oustiing belle Sally Cato (Erin Denman) for the affections of Beauregard Burnside (James Lloyd Reynolds), a Southern gentleman from a wealthy family headed by his formidable mother (Denise Lute). THey marry and travel the world. 

Meanwhile, Patrick grows away from her (Charles Hagerty plays the older nephew), rooms with Babcock’s son (Beau Landry) at college and embraces a less Bohemian lifestyle with socialite Gloria Upson (Kellyn Uhl). He seems embarrassed by Mame, especially when she welcomes unwed mother-to-be Agnes back into her home -- something that definitely isn't up to the moral standards of Gloria's uppity parents (Mary Jo McConnell and Eric Jon Mahlum) who want the youngsters to move next to them in a restricted community.

The tale is propelled by Herman’s score (the lyrics are his too) with classics like “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Open a New Window,” “It’s Today” and the title song performed well by an orchestra directed by Michael O’Flaherty. Vince Pesce’s skillful choreography lends a lot of movement on multiple levels without the 15 or so ensemble members overwhelming the small stage. Lovely costumes by Gregg Barnes mark the changes in years and David H. Lawrence does standout work on the hair and wig design. 

It’s suprisingly engaging and enjoyable for an old style musical and this is an ideal production to see if you never have experienced the show before.  

Mame has been extended through July 7. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7:30 pm; Thursdays at 2 and 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 3 and 8 pm; and Sundays at 2 pm. Added performances are: Tuesday, July 3 at 2 and 7:30 pm.; Wednesday, July 4 at 2 pm; Thursday, July 5, at 2 and 7:30 pm; Friday, July 6, at 8 pm; and Saturday, July 7, at 2 and 6:30 pm. For a complete schedule and tickets call 860-873-8668 or visit www.goodspeed.org.

Mame Extends at Goodspeed

Goodspeed Musicals has extended the Musical Mame, which opened officially last night through July 7.

Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7:30 pm; Thursdays at 2 and 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 and 8 pm; and Sundays at 2 pm. Added performances are: Tuesday, July 3 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, July 4 at 2 pm; Thursday, July 5, at 2 and 7:30 pm; Friday, July 6, at 8 pm; and Saturday, July 7, at 2 and 6:30 pm. For a complete schedule and tickets call the Box Office at 860-873-8668, open seven days a week or visit us online at www.goodspeed.org.

Theater Review: Into the Woods -- Westport

Jenny Latimer (Cinderella) and Dana Steingold (Little Red Ridinghood) Photo: T. Charles Erickson  

A Pleasant Trip Into the Woods
By Lauren Yarger
Mark Lamos directs an impressive kickoff at Westport Country Playhouse with a 25th-anniversary production of Stephen Sondhheim's funny and thought-provoking musical Into the Woods.

The fairytale characters are familiar. There's Little Red Riding Hood (a terrific Dana Steingold) and the wolf (Nick Walker), Cinderella (Jenny Latimer), her prince (also Walker), stepmother (Alma Cuervo) and stepsisters (Eleini Delopouos and Nikka Graff-Lanzarone), Rapunzel (Britney Coleman) and her prince (Robert Lenzi), the Baker and his wife (Erik Liberman and Danielle Ferland), Jack of beanstalk fame and his mother (Justin Scott Brown and Cheryl stern)) and of course, the witch (Lauren Kennedy). there's even a mysterious man (Jeremy Lawrence) and a narrator (Jeffry Denman) to take us once upon a time.

What happens after the "happily ever after" part of this story, with a book by James Lapine, isn't exactly familiar, however. Sondheim's lyrics take us on another path through a woods as the kingdom's residents have to face giants, prejudices, relationships and loss.

For the most part, Lamos has assembled a strong cast. Stand outs are Steingold as a really edgy and funny Riding Hood and Brown, whose dreamy tenor seems tailor-made for Sondheim. The princes and stepsisters play off each other well for good comedy.

Dressed in festive costumes (Candace Donnelly, design), the cast performs Sean Curran's subtle choreography and movement against a storybook cutout backdrop (Allen Moyer, design) and sings classic tunes like "No One is Alone," "Giants in the Sky," "Agony" and the title song accompanied by a six-person orchestra (Music Direction, Wayne Barker). There's even a fun cow for Jack to trade for the magic beans in this nicely staged production. An adjustment to sound (Zachary Williamson) would improve a sometimes hard-to-understand voice of the giant.

In an interesting note, Into the Woods, produced in association with CENTERSTAGE (Baltimore), is being staged at the Playhouse where Sondheim was an apprentice in 1950.
It runs through May 26. 

Information and tickets: 203-227-4177; 1-888-927-7529, Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport; www.westportplayhouse.org.