Gentleman's Guide, Marie Antoinette Head CT Critics Circle Award Winners

David Greenspan and Marin Ireland in Marie Antoinette. Photo © T. Charles Erickson, 2012

Winners of the 2013 CT Critics Circle Awards were presented Monday at a ceremony hosted by Long Wharf Theatre, whose associate artistic director Eric Ting acted as MC.
Broadway's Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) sang some songs from the upcoming CT theater season accompanied by Don Pardo on piano.

All of the nominations are listed below. Winners are in red. For reviews, click on the title under 2012-2013 Reviews at right.

Outstanding Production of a Play

“Almost, Maine” TheaterWorks

”American Night” Yale Rep

“ClybournePark” Long Wharf

“Marie Antoinette” Yale Rep

“The Dining Room” Westport Country Playhouse

“Twelfth Night” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Production of a Musical

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” Hartford Stage

“Carousel” Goodspeed

“Hairspray” Connecticut Repertory Theatre

”Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC)

“Next to Normal” Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC)

“The Immigrant” Seven Angels

Outstanding Director of a Play

Shana Cooper, “American Night” Yale Rep

Gordon Edelstein, “Satchmo at the Waldorf” Long Wharf

Mark Lamos, “The Dining Room” Westport Country Playhouse

Rebecca Taichman, “Marie Antoinette” Yale Rep

Jenn Thompson, “Abundance” Hartford Stage

Eric Ting, “ClybournePark” Long Wharf

Darko Tresnjak, “Twelfth Night” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Director of a Musical

Kevin Connors, “Next to Normal” MTC

Semina DeLaurentis, “The Immigrant” Seven Angels

Melody Meitrott Libonati, “Joseph . . . ” STONC

Terrence Mann, “The Pirates of Penzance” Connecticut Repertory

Rob Ruggiero, “Carousel” Goodspeed

Darko Tresnjak, “A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play

Maureen Anderman,“The Year of Magical Thinking” Westport Country Playhouse

Mary Beth Fisher, “Dear Elizabeth” Yale Rep

Roxanna Hope, “Hedda Gabler” Hartford Stage

Marin Ireland, “Marie Antoinette” Yale Rep

Liv Rooth, “Venus in Fur” TheaterWorks

Brenda Withers, “Abundance “ Hartford Stage

Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play

Mikhail Baryshnikov, “Man in a Case” Hartford Stage

Bill Camp, “In a Year With 13 Moons” Yale Rep

Paul Giamatti, “Hamlet” Yale Rep

Edward Kassar, “Other People’s Money” Ivoryton Playhouse

Jamil A. C. Mangan, “The Mountaintop” TheaterWorks

Rene Millan, “American Night” Yale Rep

John Douglas Thompson,“Satchmo at the Waldorf” Long Wharf

Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical

Lena Mary Amato, “Hairspray” CT Rep

Corrine C. Broadbent, “Joseph” STONC

Juliet Lampert Pratt, “Next to Normal” MTC Mainstage

Teal Wicks, “Carousel” Goodspeed

Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical

Max Biantz, “The Immigrant” Seven Angels

Christopher DeRosa, “Joseph” STONC

Jefferson Mays, “A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage

Kevin Meaney, “Hairspray” CT Rep

James Snyder, “Carousel” Goodspeed

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Monica Santana, “In a Year With 13 Moons” Yale Rep

Jeanine Serralles, “Tartuffe” Westport Country Playhouse

Sara Topham, “Hedda Gabler” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Jarlath Conroy, “Hamlet” Yale Rep

David Greenspan, “Marie Antoinette” Yale Rep

Adam Green, “Twelfth Night” Hartford Stage

Marc Kudisch, “Hamlet” Yale Rep

Jordan Lage, “Ride the Tiger” Long Wharf

Sam Redford, “Hedda Gabler” Hartford Stage

Kevin Tighe, “Curse of the Starving Class” Long Wharf

Bruce Turk, “Twelfth Night” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Tessa Faye, “Good News” Goodspeed

Jenn Gambatese, “Carousel” Goodspeed

Beth Glover, “Good News” Goodspeed

Lisa O’Hare, “A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage

Hanna Kaplan, “Hairspray” CT Rep

Chilina Kennedy, “A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

Ken Barnett, “A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage

Alex Gibson, “Pirates of Penzance” CT Rep

Jeff Kready, “Carousel” Goodspeed

Scott Ripley, “Hairspray” CRT

Barry Shafrin, “Good News” Goodspeed

Brett Stoelker, “Next to Normal” Seven Angels

Outstanding Ensemble

Marty Bongfeldt, John Flaherty, John Little, Michael McGurk, Jo Anne Parady, “Ancestral Voices” MTC

Jimmy Davis, Daniel Jenkins, Leroy McClain, Alex Muggridge, Lucy Owen, Melle Powers, Alice Ripley, “Clybourne Park” Long Wharf

Heidi Armbruster, Chris Henry Coffey, Keira Naughton, Jake Robards, Charles Socarides, Jennifer Van Dyck, “The Dining Room” Westport Country Playhouse

Eric Bryant, Laura Esposito, Lucas Hall, Jess Watkins , “Almost, Maine” Hartford TheaterWorks

Outstanding Debut

Alexis Molnar, “Harbor” Westport Country Playhouse

Nathan J. Russo, “Oliver” Ivoryton Playhouse

Jubilant Sykes, “Breath & Imagination” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Choreography

Parker Esse, “Carousel” Goodspeed

Gerry McIntyre, “Hairspray” CT Rep

Anne-B Parson, “Man in a Case” Hartford Stage

Peggy Hickey, “A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage

Vince Pesce, “ Good News” Goodspeed

Doug Shankman, “Joseph” STONC

Outstanding Set Design

Wilson Chin, “Tartuffe” Westport Country Playhouse; “Abundance” Hartford Stage

Alexander Dodge, “A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage; “Twelfth Night” Hartford Stage

Riccardo Hernandez, “Marie Antoinette” Yale Rep

Posey Knight, “His Girl Friday” CT Rep

Michael Schweikardt, "Carousel" Goodspeed; "Tryst" TheaterWorks

Michael Yeargan, “The Dining Room” Westport Country Playhouse

David Zinn, “In a Year With 13 Moons” Yale Rep

Outstanding Costume Design

Gabriel Barry, “Marie Antoinette” Yale Rep

Linda Cho, “A Gentleman’s Guide...” Hartford Stage; “Twelfth Night”Hartford Stage

Olivera Gajic, “Pirates of Penzance” CT Rep

Ilona Somogyi, “Tartuffe” Westport Country Playhouse

Fabio Toblini, “Hedda Gabler” Hartford Stage

Outstanding Lighting Design

Christopher Akerlind, “Marie Antionette” Yale Rep

Mary Jo Dondlinger, “Almost, Maine” TheaterWorks

John Lasiter, “ Carousel” Goodspeed

Matthew Richards, “Tartuffe” Westport Country Playhouse

Philip Rosenberg, “The Year of Magical Thinking” Westport Country Playhouse; "A Gentleman’s Guide…” Hartford Stage

Jennifer Tipton “Man in a Case” Hartford Stage

Jennifer Tipton and Yi Zhao, “In a Year With 13 Moons” Yale Rep

Outstanding Sound Design

Michael Attias, “In a Year With 13 Moons” Yale Rep

Tei Blow, “Man in a Case” Hartford Stage

Leah Gelpe, “January Joiner” Long Wharf

Matt Hubbs, “Marie Antoinette” Yale Rep

Keri Klick. “Hamlet” Yale Rep 

Tom Killen Award

Aetna New Voices Fellowship program at Hartford Stage     

Theater Review: I'm Connecticut -- Ivoryton Playhouse

Jerry Adler Harris Doran. Photo: Anne Hudson

A Laugh-Out-Loud Look at Living in Connecticut

By Lauren Yarger

Bristol native son Mike Reiss, who has enjoyed success as a comedy writer for “The Simpsons” among other shows, turns his attention to the root of his humor, his home state in the riotously funny I’m Connecticut getting a slick production at Ivoryton Playhouse. 

The show had its world premiere last season at UConn’s CT Repertory Theatre Company and two of the original cast members, Harris Doran and Broadway veteran Jerry Adler, reprise their roles for the Ivoryton run.

Doran is Marc, a geeky native of Connecticut where he grew up one of the few Jews in Simsbury, where his teacher called upon him every year to share the Hanukah story during the Christmas celebrations….. Now a transplant in Manhattan, he works in brain research at Middlesex Hospital with pal Kyle (a funny Gino Costabile), motivated by a desire to help his Grandpa (Adler) who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. 

Marc is insecure about a lot of things, especially girls. This, Kyle assures, him, is because he comes from boring Connecticut, home of steady habits and towns that have names that sound like stodgy English butlers.. Nutmeg-ers aren’t as brash as New Yorkers like the manager (Bill Mootos) of a speed-dating service Marc tries or as interesting as Massachusetts natives like Kyle, who call their milkshakes “frappes.”

“It’s like crap with a ‘fa’,” Kyle quips.

We don’t even grow nutmeg here in the Nutmeg state, or grapes, like you might think given the leaves on our state seal, so what chance does Marc really have? 

The girls he meets at the dating service (Dené Hill, Elizabeth Talbot and others) aren’t good matches, but the receptionist, Diane (Gwen Hollander), a beauty from Georgia, attracts his attention. He invites her back to the apartment he shares with his grandfather (designed by Daniel Nischan). When Marc believes that telling some lies will improve his chances at winning Diane’s heart, he begins to spin a web of deception that soon ensnares him in a hilarious, sticky mess that threatens their relationship (and uproariously ends with a Broadway production number….). 

Meanwhile, Grandpa and Diane’s visiting mom, Polly (Rebecca Hoodwin), hit it off making the situation even more tenuous. Marc seeks advice from Kyle, but he’s not much help. He’s a master of deception himself, telling coworkers it is his birthday any time he has a craving for cake. He also points out Marc’s shortcomings in a guffaw-inducing scene where various states in the union show off their manly sizes and shapes to prove that a state that claims the boring distinction of being “The Insurance Capital of the World” definitely is lacking….

Director Jacqueline Hubbard ably helms the talented ensemble cast, enhancing the set design with projections designed by Allison McGrath and Greg Purnell and solidifying the relationship between Marc and the audience by bringing Doran out into the house to offer fruit cake, of all things.  

Doran once again achieves a balance between sarcasm and naiveté to create a totally likable character who has many audience members thinking, “I’m Marc” just as much as he thinks, “I’m Connecticut.” Costabile is a perfect foil for Doran and Adler and Hoodwin have terrific onstage chemistry that translates into an immediate natural camaraderie for Grandpa and Polly and Grandpa and his late wife Judith, also portrayed by Hoodwin. 

 

Ivoryton doesn’t escape Reiss’ barbs at a state that is somewhat lacking, either. “Where’s all the ivory?” the audience is asked. Reis himself was on hand for talkbacks with the audience after recent performances. A producer and writer with “The Simpsons” from its beginning, he received a Peabody Award in 2006 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus. He also co-wrote “The Simpsons Movie,” “The Lorax,” “Horton Hears A Who!” and “Ice Age, Dawn of the Dinosaurs.” 

His recent films include “In Her Shoes.” “Prime,” “Find Me Guilty” and the soon-to-be-released “Last Angry Man in Brooklyn” with Robin Williams. On TV, he was the Fire Chief on “Rescue Me” with Denis Leary and is presently Howard Lyman on “The Good Wife.” 

The native son has made us proud!

 

I'm Connecticut runs through June 23 at Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton. Performances are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30, Friday and Saturday at 8. Tickets: $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children. (860) 767-7318; www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.

Theater Review: Becoming Dr. Ruth -- TheaterWorks

Debra Jo Rupp. Photo:Lanny Nagler

Dr. Ruth: Getting to Know the Woman Behind the Microphone
By Lauren Yarger
Everyone knows Ruth Westheimer, the short, German-accented pioneering sex therapist who took America’s radio waves and TV by storm in the 1980s. Her tragic personal story and how she went about Becoming Dr. Ruth are less known, however, until now with this one-woman show starring Debra Jo Rupp (That 70ʼs Show) at TheaterWorks in Hartford.

Playwright Mark St. Germain (Freud’s Last Session) sets the story in Ruth’s New York apartment as she prepares to move following the death of her husband, Fred. She packs up her belongings – and memories – as she chats with the audience. Brian Prather designs the set, along with projections that help the audience see the photos she gazes at before packing them away.

There are photos of her parents, from whom the young Karola Ruth Siegel was separated during the rise of Hitler in Germany. When her father is taken to a work camp shortly after Kristallnacht, 10-year-old Karola’s mother and grandmother secure her a seat on the Kindertransport to get her out of Germany. In Switzerland, she is forced to work long days in domestic service under the supervision of a harsh matron at an orphanage where her only hope comes from Shirley Temple movies and occasional letters from her parents -- until they stop coming.

After the war (her parents apparently were murdered in the camps), Karola travels to Palestine where she becomes a scout and sniper with the Haganah, a precursor to the Israeli Defense Forces. Her feet are severely injured in an explosion during the war for Israel’s independence and she struggles to learn to walk again. She also fears no one will ever want to marry her.

She does marry. Three times, actually. The first two marriages end in divorce. Her two children (with whom she chats on the phone while packing up the Washington Heights apartment) think she might be rushing to make this this move so soon after Fred’s death.

She continues sharing her memories – she eventually had settled in New York where she taught herself English by reading True Confessions magazine and earned degrees in sociology and education.

In the 1960s, while she is working for Planned Parenthood, Ruth is asked to speak to a group of New York broadcasters about the need for sex education. One station offers her the opportunity to do a 15-minute broadcast each week called “Sexually Speaking” and suddenly the 50+ woman is a sensation. Speaking plainly about sex and answering questions from callers, “Dr. Ruth” becomes a celebrity and one of America’s foremost authorities on sexual behavior.

Rupp is a delight as the dynamic Ruth, whose effervescent love for life never is eclipsed by her harsh circumstances. Director Julianne Boyd, artistic director at Barrington Stage where the play received its world premiere as Dr. Ruth All the Way, uses some effective pauses to bring home the impact of Hitler’s rise to power and of Fred’s death. The triumph of Ruth’s spirit is visual.

Rupp’s power-house performance captures Ruth so effectively and in such detail, that we’re convinced the much shorter, German accented woman must really be on stage. (On opening night reality suspended the illusion, however, when at the curtain call, Rupp introduced the real Dr. Ruth who was seated in the audience.)

Rupp’s performance also is aided by having an interesting script to interpret. St. Germain keeps his monologue from becoming just a long history lesson by having Ruth speak directly with the audience and by interjecting some conversations between the sex therapist and her callers (sound design by Jessica Paz) toward the end of the play which runs about 90 minutes without intermission.

Becoming Dr. Ruth has been extended through July 14 at TheaterWorks, 233 Pear lSt., Hartford. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 7:30 pm; Fridays and Saturdays: 8 pm; Weekend Matinees at 2:30 pm. Tickets $17-$63: (860) 527-7838; www.theaterworkshartford.org.

Theater Review: The Drowsy Chaperone -- CT Repertory

Pat Sajak and Courtney Romano. Photo: Kim Bova.

Pat Sajak Spins a Tale of A Musical Lover’s Musical About a Musical Lover and the Musical He Loves
By Lauren Yarger
Pat Sajak puts his spinning talents to work here in Connecticut this month, but this time turning records instead of a “Wheel of Fortune” as he takes on the role of Man in Chair for CT Repertory’s Nutmeg Summer Series production of The Drowsy Chaperone.

Seated in a comfortable chair next to a phonograph, Man in Chair shares his love for old-fashioned musicals and shares his favorite, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” with the audience. It’s a tale full of mixups, mayhem and romance with a well-worn plot and two dimensional characters, he tells us, but he begs us to indulge him and visualize as he puts the needle to the 33 rpm vinyl and is transported from his boring life into the glamor of a Broadway musical.

Suddenly, the 1928 musical comes to life in the man’s living room, thanks to the versatile set designed by Michael Anania. Taking center stage, much to the delight of her biggest fan, is the era’s most famous Broadway actress, Beatrice Stockwell, playing the Drowsy Chaperone (Liz Larsen). She is tasked, Man in Chair tells us, with making sure a bride and groom don’t see each other on their wedding day (and that’s pretty much the entire plot….). They are Janet Van De Graaff (Courtney Romano), star of Feldzieg’s Follies, giving up fame to settle down with dashing Robert Martin (Kevin Jones).

Attending the wedding are society matron Mrs. Tottendale (Jan Neuberger) and her servant Underling (Jay Rogers), Janet’s Producer, Feldzieg (Adam Heller) and his girlfriend, Kitty (Gianna Yanelli), who dreams of taking Janet’s place as star of the show. Also on hand are ladies’ man Aldolpho (Scott Ripley) and best man George (Devin Johnson).

A “B Plot” involves two gangsters (Alex Gibson and Ian Saunders) masquerading as pastry chefs who are in cahoots with Feldzieg to stop the wedding because their mob boss has invested in the follies, which will flop without Janet. Their corny jokes and zany costumes (designed by Lisa Loen) bring many laughs.

The chaperone doesn’t do her job very well, thanks to being drunk and drowsy most of the time. When Robert and Janet meet up while Robert is roller skating blindfolded (don’t ask, just enjoy), he mistakes her for a French girl named Mimi and mayhem ensues, accompanied by tap-dancing, flapper-esque choreography by Cassie Abate (who co-directs with Vincent J. Cardinal) and commentary from Main in Chair as he stops and pauses the recording to enlighten us along the way about his favorite moments, flaws in the lyrics and some trivia about the performers. 

The show, with a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, is clever and a hoot for anyone who loves musical theater (I am Man in Chair, as some friends I have forced to listen to recordings will tell you). A line about stupid people making their living in TV is particularly funny when delivered by Sajak who is in his 30th season as one of TV’s most popular game show hosts.

Some performances stand out: Yanelli as the ditsy blonde showgirl, and Ripley as the self-confident, falsely accented Latin lover. Johnson is engaging as the best man who realizes he has forgotten to hire a minister for the wedding and Amani Dorn as Trix the Aviatrix, who flies in just in time to save the day (yes, look for the airplane in Man in Chair’s living room), lends a solid singing voice that carries the closing number.

Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison are just the right combination of show tune, ballad and corny – exactly what we people in chairs love about old-fashioned musicals. “Bride’s Lament” with dancing monkeys is one of my favorites.

Some complaints: Sajak doesn’t really exude passionate obsession about the musical and it isn’t immediately clear that the action of the show is being controlled by his starting and stopping of the recording (this does sync later, however). Casting emphasis seems to have been on dancing ability, and while the choreography (especially the tap dancing) is executed well, vocals are weaker and there are some painful notes.

The pace is a bit drowsy at times, but overall the show is entertaining at about an hour and 45 minutes with no intermission.

The Drowsy Chaperone runs through June 15: Weeknight evening performances start at 7:30; Weekend evening performances start at 8; Matinee performances start at 2 pm. Tickets $10-$45 (860) 486-2113; www.crt.uconn.edu.

Grafton, Hoffman, Turow Will Be in Conversation with Baldacci for Mark Twain House

John Groo for The Mark Twain House & Museum

The Mark Twain House & Museum's Annual 'Mark My Words' event -- three wildly popular authors interviewed by a celebrity host -- will feature Sue Grafton, Alice Hoffman and Scott Turow 8 pm Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Shubert Theater in New Haven.

Grafton's Kinsey Milhone alphabet mysteries (A is for Alibi was just the start); Hoffman's acclaimed novels, and her unexpected new guide to living; and Turow's tales of power and the legal life are so beloved and popular that these authors have a total of nearly 150 million books in print. All have produced numerous New York Times bestselling titles.

The on-stage conversation will be moderated by David Baldacc. Baldacci is a devotee of Mark Twain's work - and a member of The Mark Twain House & Museum's Board of Trustees.

To make this benefit event as affordable as possible, the museum is offering an array of ticket price options: Orchestra & Box Seats, $68.00; Mezzanine, $48.00; and Balcony, $28.00. Tickets can be purchased online at www.twainmarkmywords.com; by phone at 888-736-2663 (toll free) or 203-562-5666; or in person at the Shubert Theater Box Office, 247 College St., New Haven, Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Sue Grafton is published in 29 countries and 27 languages. Books in her Kinsey Milhone alphabet series which debuted in 1982 with "A is for Alibi," are international bestsellers with readership in the millions. Among Grafton's many honors and awards are induction into the American Academy of Achievement, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Private Eye Writers of America and the Ross Macdonald Literary Award . Learn more at http://suegrafton.com/. 

Alice Hoffman has published 21novels, three books of short fiction, and eight books for children and young adults. Her books - which include "Practical Magic," "Aquamarine" and "The River King," have been published in more than 20 translations and more than 100 foreign editions. Her novels have received mention as notable books of the year by the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, Library Journal, and People. Fifteen years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer - which changed everything about the life she'd been living - but she found no guidebook on how to deal with this change. Her new book, "Survival Lessons," coming out in October, is the book that she needed to read. "In many ways I wrote this book to remind myself of the beauty of life, something that's all too easy to overlook during the crisis of illness or loss," she says. Learn more at http://alicehoffman.com .

Scott Turow is a writer and attorney. He is the author of nine best-selling works of fiction, starting with "Presumed Innocent" (1987). His works of non-fiction include "One L" (1977) about his experience as a law student, and "Ultimate Punishment" (2003), a reflection on the death penalty. He frequently contributes essays and op-ed pieces to publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Playboy and The Atlantic. His books have won a number of literary awards, including the Heartland Prize, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, and Time magazine's Best Work of Fiction. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages, sold more than 30 million copies world-wide and have been adapted into a full length film and two television miniseries. He continues to work as an attorney, and has been active in a number of charitable causes including organizations that promote literacy, education and legal rights. Additionally, he has performed with the Rock Bottom Remainders, a musical group of bestselling authors raising funds for various literacy charities. Learn more at http://scottturow.com/.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

David Baldacci made a big splash on the literary scene with the publication of his first novel, "Absolute Power," in 1996. A major motion picture adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, he has published 25 novels, all of which have been national and international bestsellers. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries; over 110 million copies are in print worldwide. He has also published two children's books. He has received numerous accolades for his writing; most recently, he was inducted into the 2011 International Crime Writing Hall of Fame and received the 2012 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award. His greatest efforts are dedicated to the Wish You Well Foundation®, established by David and his wife, Michelle, which supports family and adult literacy. http://davidbaldacci.com/.

Quick Hit Theater Review: Dream Girls -- The Palace

The cast. Photo: Levi Walker

Dream Girls
Music by Henry Krieger
Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen
Directed and Choreographed by Robert Longbottom (original direction and choreography by Michael Bennett)
Co-Choreographer Shane Sparks
The Palace Theater, Waterbury
Note:  (I saw understudies perform for the roles of Jimmy Thunder Early and Curtis Taylor, Jr. Early is regularly portrayed by Michael Jahlil. Understudy is JoNathan Michael. Aubrey Poo is the regular for Curtis. Two understudies are listed in the program: Dave Heard and Deonte Warren. Normally I wouldn't review a show where two of the main characters aren't played by the regulars, but the run ends today, so there won't be time to reschedule..... -- Lauren Yarger

What's it all about?
Deena Jones (Jasmin Richardson), Lorrell Robinson (Tonyia Myrie Rue) and Effie Whote (Charity Dawson) dream of getting a recording contract and making it to the top of the R&B charts. Effie's brother CCTerrance Johnson) writes a song for them to sing in a competition at the Apollo Theater in New York, where they are invited to sing backup for rising star Jimmy "Thunder" Early.

Lead singer Effie tells Early's manager, Marty (Koby Kindle) that she doesn't sing backup -- until she succumbs to the charms of Curtis Taylor, Jr., an ambitious and unscrupulous man who sees his chance to turn the "Dreamettes" into the chart-topping sensation "Dream Girls."

Effie falls hard for Curtis and Jimmy makes his moves on Lorrell, but relationships and friendships are strained when Curtis decides Deena should sing lead to give the group a new look and sound. Dawson gives a goose-bump raising rendition of the show's most famous number, "I'm Not Going" that makes this production worth watching all by itself. Effie becomes volatile and harder to work with in her depression and as Curtis turns his affections to Deena. Finally, Curtis hires Michelle Morris (Kimberly Michelle Thomas) to replace Effie in the group.

What are the highlights?
This show, which first hit the Broadway stage in 1981, holds up tremendously well over the years. It shows no signs of being dates, since it is set in the '60s and '70s anyway and the story still is touching with a lot of heart (Robin Wagner designs the minimal sets). An abundances of amazing quick-change costumes (designed by William Ivey Long) and excellent lighting design by Ken Billington are enhanced by media design by Lightswitch - Howard Werner that at one point projects a Busby Berkely-type effect for the choreography.

Dawson and Richardson blend voices for a terrific rendition of "Listen." All of the vocals are strong -- important for a show that's mostly sung.

What are the Lowlights?
The drums! Musical Supervisor Cherie Rosen needs to muffle them, especially on "I'm Not Going," where they seem to be competing with Effie as much as she competes with Deena.
The pace is somewhat slow and not as sharp as it could be during conrontation scenes. The run time is two hours and 45 minutes.

More information:
A short run at the Palace, 100 East Main St., Waterbury, there are performances this afternoon and evening. Tickets are $69, $59, and $49: 203-346-2000; www.palacetheaterct.org.

Theater Review: Catch Me if You Can -- The Bushnell

The Catch Me if You Can Tour Company, Photo By Carol Rosegg

Larger-Than-Life Story Gets Over-the-Top Treatment
By Lauren Yarger
The true story of a teenager who plays a game of Catch Me if You Can with the FBI is already larger than life, but this musical, making a tour stop at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, takes it way over the top by adding full-scale musical numbers, kick-line choreography and glitzy costumes.

Maybe the show's creative team sensed something nipping at its own heels: the need to be even more sensational than the popular autobiography by Frank Abagnale, Jr. and the film based on it starring Leonardo Di Caprio as the young white-collar criminal who eluded the FBI for years back in the 1960s while he forged checks and documents in the course of impersonating an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer.

The stage adaptation (with a book by Terrence McNally) is told as though it were a TV special complete with a band on stage (Music Direction by Matthew Smedal), video projections (designed by Bob Bonniol) and some spectacular lighting effects designed by Kenneth Posner. David Rockwell designs the set.

Frank (Stephen Anthony) looks up to his father, Frank Abagnale, Sr. (Dominic Fortuna), a successful New Rochelle businessman who used his charms to win the affections, among many suitors, of his beautiful war bride, Paula (Caitlin Maloney). When his father’s charms start to fade and he is under investigation by the IRS, Paula seeks comfort elsewhere and teenager Frank leaves to make his fortune in New York City and to do what he can to get his father back on his feet and reunited with his mother.

He quickly discovers a talent for fraud and starts writing doctored checks. He perfects the art along with document forgery and starts cashing checks under different names (a chorus line of girls dressed as a Swiss army knife, a bottle of ink and a container of glue are deemed necessary to help tell this part of the story by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell). 

His scheme attracts the attention of the FBI, especially Agent Carl Hanratty (Merritt David Janes), who figures out Frank’s pattern and starts to close in. Frank throws him off the trail by assuming the identity of a Pan Am pilot. Not only does he manage to get a lot of stewardesses (costumer William Ivey Long dresses them in revealing, very short uniforms while Frank sports a glittering version of a pilot’s jacket), but he also flies free. He hops a plane to visit his father, who has been reduced to hanging out in bars since his wife has taken up with his best friend, but he refuses help from his son.

As the game of “Catch Me if You Can” intensifies, Frank changes identities and becomes an emergency room doctor (complete with a chorus line of miniskirt-clad nurses) where he meets the girl of his dreams: Brenda Strong (Aubrey Mae Davis), a young nurse who also ran away from her past. Frank convinces her to return to New Orleans and reconcile with her parents (D. Scott Withers and Amy Burgmaier). Frank wants a life with Brenda, so he declares that he also is a lawyer and accepts Strong’s invitation to join the family firm.

His engagement announcement gives Carl the clue he needs to pick up the trail of the young con artist with whom he has developed a relationship through the years, particularly through phone calls at Christmas when the two lonely men touch base. Without giving too much away (and you probably have seen the movie any way….) the real Frank Abagnale, Jr. today is one of the FBI’s leading authorities on secure documents, fraud and embezzlement. 

This show is a musical that should be a play. The story is interesting enough on its own to carry a production. If we really need music, Marc Shaiman’s score, mostly forgettable, large production numbers, fits McNally’s book, but the concept is all wrong. There’s an ensemble of more than 30 people up there to tell what really is the story of two men. Hanratty’s part gets lost in the hoopla and so does the developing relationship between him and Frank, who suddenly starts to see the honest government agent as a better person to worship than his con artist father. At two hours and 45 minutes the show could easily stand some trimming.

In this tour, the vocals are adequate, with stand-out Anthony lending the strong tenor and stage presence needed to pull off his lead role with style (until Matt Lenz, who recreated O’Brien’s original direction, has him sobbing quite excessively in one scene and gives new comic meaning to the lyrics “Stop your sobbing kid before I shoot. Your nose is running on my only suit.”

Mitchell’s original choreography, added to and recreated here by Nick Kenkel, is in need of some serious rehearsal, too. The ensemble isn’t together on execution or in syncing their moves.

Catch it while you can, through June 2 at The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford. Performances: Wednesday through Thursday at 7:30 pm; Friday at 8 pm; Saturday at 2 and 8 pm; Sunday at 1 and 6 pm. Tickets $20-$65: (860) 987-5900; www.bushnell.org.

Connecticut Critics Circle Announces Nominations for 2013 Theater Awards

Nominations have been announced for the best of Connecticut's 2013-2014 season by the Connecticut Critics Circle.

Awards will be be presented at the annual gathering of the state's theater community, this year on Monday, June 10 at Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, beginning with a reception at 6:30. Awards and entertainment follow at 7:30.

The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required to steve.scarpa@longwharf.org. This is the annual event "where theater folks from across Connecticut can annually all gather to schmooze and celebrate their work." Don't miss it!

The nominees are:

Outstanding Production of a Play

“Almost, Maine”                                                        TheaterWorks

”American Night”                                                       Yale Rep

“Clybourne Park”                                                        Long Wharf

“Marie Antoinette”                                                     Yale Rep

“The Dining Room”                                                    Westport Country Playhouse

“Twelfth Night”                                                          Hartford Stage

Outstanding Production of a Musical

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”             Hartford Stage

“Carousel”                                                                   Goodspeed

“Hairspray”                                                                 Connecticut Repertory Theatre

”Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”     Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC)

“Next to Normal”                                                        Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC)

“The Immigrant”                                                         Seven Angels

Outstanding Director of a Play

Shana Cooper, “American Night”                              Yale Rep 

                               
Gordon Edelstein, “Satchmo at the Waldorf”             Long Wharf

Mark Lamos, “The Dining Room”                             Westport Country Playhouse

Rebecca Taichman, “Marie Antoinette”                     Yale Rep

Jenn Thompson, “Abundance”                                   Hartford Stage

Eric Ting, “Clybourne Park”                                      Long Wharf   

Darko Tresnjak, “Twelfth Night”                               Hartford Stage

Outstanding Director of a Musical

Kevin Connors, “Next to Normal”                             MTC

Semina DeLaurentis, “The Immigrant”                      Seven Angels

Melody Meitrott Libonati, “Joseph . . . ”                    STONC

Terrence Mann, “The Pirates of Penzance”                Connecticut Repertory

Rob Ruggiero, “Carousel”                                          Goodspeed

Darko Tresnjak, “A Gentleman’s Guide…”               Hartford Stage

Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play

Maureen Anderman, “The Year of Magical Thinking”    Westport Country Playhouse

Mary Beth Fisher, “Dear Elizabeth”                          Yale Rep

Roxanna Hope, “Hedda Gabler”                                Hartford Stage

Marin Ireland, “Marie Antoinette”                             Yale Rep

Liv Rooth, “Venus in Fur”                                         TheaterWorks

Brenda Withers, “Abundance “                                  Hartford Stage

Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play

Mikhail Baryshnikov, “Man in a Case”                      Hartford Stage

Bill Camp, “In a Year With 13 Moons”                     Yale Rep

Paul Giamatti, “Hamlet”                                             Yale Rep

Edward Kassar, “Other People’s Money”                   Ivoryton Playhouse

Jamil A. C. Mangan, “The Mountaintop”                   TheaterWorks

Rene Millan, “American Night”                                 Yale Rep

John Douglas Thompson, “Satchmo at the Waldorf”        Long Wharf

Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical

Lena Mary Amato, “Hairspray”                                  CT Rep

 

Corrine C. Broadbent, “Joseph”                                 STONC

Juliet Lampert Pratt, “Next to Normal”                      MTC Mainstage

Teal Wicks, “Carousel”                                              Goodspeed

Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical

Max Biantz, “The Immigrant”                                   Seven Angels

Christopher DeRosa, “Joseph”                                   STONC

Jefferson Mays, “A Gentleman’s Guide…”               Hartford Stage

Kevin Meaney, “Hairspray”                                        CT Rep

James Snyder, “Carousel”                                           Goodspeed

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play

Monica Santana, “In a Year With 13 Moons”            Yale Rep

Jeanine Serralles, “Tartuffe”                                       Westport Country Playhouse

Sara Topham, “Hedda Gabler”                                   Hartford Stage

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play

Jarlath Conroy, “Hamlet”                                           Yale Rep

David Greenspan, “Marie Antoinette”                       Yale Rep

Adam Green, “Twelfth Night”                                   Hartford Stage

Marc Kudisch, “Hamlet”                                            Yale Rep

Jordan Lage, “Ride the Tiger”                                    Long Wharf

Sam Redford, “Hedda Gabler”                                   Hartford Stage

Kevin Tighe, “Curse of the Starving Class”               Long Wharf

Bruce Turk, “Twelfth Night”                                      Hartford Stage

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical

Tessa Faye, “Good News”                                           Goodspeed

Jenn Gambatese, “Carousel”                                      Goodspeed

Beth Glover, “Good News”                                       Goodspeed

Lisa O’Hare, “A Gentleman’s Guide…”                   Hartford Stage

Hanna Kaplan, “Hairspray”                                       CT Rep

Chilina Kennedy, “A Gentleman’s Guide…”            Hartford Stage

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical

Ken Barnett, “A Gentleman’s Guide…”                    Hartford Stage

Alex Gibson, “Pirates of Penzance”                           CT Rep

Jeff Kready, “Carousel”                                             Goodspeed

Scott Ripley, “Hairspray”                                           CRT

Barry Shafrin, “Good News”                                     Goodspeed

Brett Stoelker, “Next to Normal”                                Seven Angels

Outstanding Ensemble

Marty Bongfeldt, John Flaherty, John Little, Michael McGurk, Jo Anne Parady, “Ancestral Voices”   MTC

Jimmy Davis, Daniel Jenkins, Leroy McClain, Alex Muggridge, Lucy Owen, Melle Powers, Alice Ripley, “Clybourne Park” Long Wharf

Heidi Armbruster, Chris Henry Coffey, Keira Naughton, Jake Robards, Charles Socarides, Jennifer Van Dyck, “The Dining Room” Westport Country Playhouse

Eric Bryant, Laura Esposito, Lucas Hall, Jess Watkins , “Almost, Maine” Hartford TheaterWorks

Outstanding Debut

Alexis Molnar, “Harbor”                                            Westport Country Playhouse 

Nathan J. Russo, “Oliver”                                           Ivoryton Playhouse

Jubilant Sykes, “Breath & Imagination”                     Hartford Stage

Outstanding Choreography

Parker Esse, “Carousel”                                              Goodspeed

Gerry McIntyre, “Hairspray”                                      CT Rep                                     

Anne-B Parson, “Man in a Case”                               Hartford Stage

Peggy Hickey, “A Gentleman’s Guide…”                 Hartford Stage

Vince Pesce, “ Good News”                                       Goodspeed

Doug Shankman, “Joseph”                                         STONC

Outstanding Set Design

Wilson Chin,

            “Tartuffe”                                                       Westport Country Playhouse
            “Abundance”                                                  Hartford Stage

Alexander Dodge,

“A Gentleman’s Guide…”                             Hartford Stage

            “Twelfth Night”                                              Hartford Stage

Riccardo Hernandez, “Marie Antoinette”                  Yale Rep
Posey Knight, “His Girl Friday”                                 CT Rep
Michael Schweikardt,

            “Carousel”                                                       Goodspeed

            “Tryst”                                                             TheaterWorks

Michael Yeargan, “The Dining Room”                      Westport Country Playhouse

David Zinn, “In a Year With 13 Moons”                   Yale Rep

Outstanding Costume Design

Gabriel Barry, “Marie Antoinette”                             Yale Rep

Linda Cho,

“A Gentleman’s Guide...”                               Hartford Stage       

            “Twelfth Night”                                              Hartford Stage

Olivera Gajic, “Pirates of Penzance”                          CT Rep

Ilona Somogyi, “Tartuffe”                                          Westport Country Playhouse
Fabio Toblini, “Hedda Gabler”                                   Hartford Stage

Outstanding Lighting Design

Christopher Akerlind, “Marie Antionette”                Yale Rep

Mary Jo Dondlinger, “Almost, Maine”                     TheaterWorks

John Lasiter, “ Carousel”                                           Goodspeed

Matthew Richards, “Tartuffe”                                   Westport Country Playhouse

Philip Rosenberg
                           “The Year of Magical Thinking”    Westport Country Playhouse
                           "A Gentleman’s Guide…”               Hartford Stage

Jennifer Tipton   “Man in a Case”                               Hartford Stage

Jennifer Tipton and Yi Zhao, “In a Year With 13 Moons”            Yale Rep

 

Outstanding Sound Design

Michael Attias, “In a Year With 13 Moons”              Yale Rep

Tei Blow, “Man in a Case”                                         Hartford Stage

Leah Gelpe, “January Joiner”                                     Long Wharf

Matt Hubbs, “Marie Antoinette”                                Yale Rep

Keri Klick. “Hamlet”                                                  Yale Rep