Palace Offers Eveything from Doo-wop to Perlman

From doo-wop to Itzak Perlman, the Palace Theater’s April line-up has a little something for everyone.

Here's the schedule:
Waterbury Arts Magnet School presents
Rhythm Griots: Traditions and Innovations
Thursday, April 1 – 10:30am
Join Rhythm Griots (story tellers) Tony Vacca (pictured, left) and friends as they perform their West African and American rhythm-driven music and dance alongside the Waterbury Arts Magnet School chorus and dancers. Part of the ShopRite Education Series.
TICKETS: $8

LAR presents “Oh What a Night of Doo-wop & Rock n' Roll”
Saturday, April 10 – 8 pm
Fred Parris (“In the Still of the Night”) and original Shirelles lead singer Shirley Alston Reeves (“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”) take audiences back to a better era, when they perform alongside Emil Stucchio & The Classics, The Cleftones, John Kuse & The Excellents, and 14-year-old singing sensation, Kid Kyle. Sponsored in part by WATR Radio 1320AM.
TICKETS: $50/ $45/ $35

ART FORMS
Saturday, April 17 – 4 pm
This second annual mixed media show includes original paintings, photography, jewelry and sculpture by more than 20 Connecticut artists from Central and Northwestern Connecticut. Ticket includes a champagne and hors d’oeuves reception by Hen of the Woods catering with music by the Tom Devino Quartet. All artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Palace's Annual Fund. Sponsored by Connecticut Community Foundation and Universal Copy.
TICKETS: $25


Kol Ami Congregation presents Itzhak Perlman (right)
Sunday, April 18 – 4:00pm
Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman, accompanied on piano by Rohan DeSilva, brings his impeccable artistry to Waterbury. Sponsored by the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven and Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.
TICKETS: $125/ $75/ $65/ $55

CT Dance Theater and the Arts presents Annual Spring Recital
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Owner/Director Nefra Wihbey and the Connecticut Dance Theatre & The Arts students present their annual Recital. Enjoy an evening full of song, dance, and musical entertainment.
TICKETS: $20

Tickets and gift certificates can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the Palace Box Office, 100 East Main St., Waterbury. Groups of 20 or more qualify for discounted rates and should call the Group Sales hotline at 203-345-2002.

Music Theater Workshops Set at Yale

The Yale Institute for Music Theatre will present two-week workshops this summer in New Haven, June 13-27: The Daughters by Shaina Taub and Stuck Elevator by Byron Au Yong and Aaron Jafferis.

Additional staff for the workshops and details about free open-rehearsal readings of each musical will be announced.

Established by Yale School of Drama (James Bundy, Dean) and Yale School of Music (Robert Blocker, Dean), the institute seeks to identify distinctive and original music theatre works by emerging writers and composers, and to serve those writers by matching them with collaborators such as directors, music directors, and actors/singers who can help them further develop their work. By limiting production resources and values, the workshop will keep the focus on the creative process of the artistic team.

Othello to Star Under the Stars on the Sound

Shakespeare on the Sound will present Othello, under the direction of Joanna Settle this summer with Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Stew returning to provide original music and songs for the production.

Currently in its 15th season, Shakespeare on the Sound will present Settle’s site-specific production at two locations on the Long Island Sound in Pinkney Park, Rowayton and Baldwin Park, Greenwich. Performance dates in June and July, 2010 will be announced shortly.
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 venues.

Audiences are invited to arrive early and picnic in the park before the performance. There is no admission fee, but a donation of $20 ($10 for students and seniors) is suggested. In Rowayton, parking is limited and early arrival is suggested. In Greenwich, the production is a five-minute walk from the Greenwich Metro-North stop. Ample parking is available.

For information and rail and road directions, visit www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

Epp Brings Down the Curtain -- Literally -- at Yale Rep

Steven Epp as Truffaldino in The Servant of Two Masters;
photo © Richard Termine, 2010.

Steven Epp brings down the curtain, literally, with a terrific comedic performance in Carlo Goldoni’s commedia dell’arte The Servant of Two Masters, adapted by Constance Congdon from a translation by Christina Sibul, and ably directed by Christopher Bayes at Yale Rep through April 13.

Identities are mistaken, engagements are broken, butterflies flutter, lovers are reunited and there’s even some opera thrown in for fun in the story of the hungry servant Truffaldino’s disastrous plot to serve two masters and secure two sets of meals. Epp is so funny at Truffaldino that his cast mates and the on-stage musicians can’t help but laugh at his antics throughout the show too.

He is supported by a strong cast: Sarah Agnew (Beatrice), Will Cobbs (Waiter), Liam Craig (Brighella/Porter), John Treacy Egan (Il Dottore), Steven Epp (Truffaldino), Allen Gilmore (Pantalone), Andy Grotelueschen (Silvio), Chris Henry (Waiter), Jesse J. Perez (Florindo), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Clarice), and Liz Wisan (Smeraldina). The production features original musical by Chris Curtis and Aaron Halva, sets by Katherine Akiko Day, bright and comical costumes by Valérie Thérèse Bart, lighting by Chuan-Chi Chan and sound by Nathan Roberts.

It’s a different form of theater, somewhere between mime and slapstick and if you haven’t experienced it before, don’t miss it. Tickets range from $35-67 and are available online at www.yalerep.org, by phone at (203) 432-1234, and in person at the Yale Rep Box Office, 1120 Chapel St. at York, New Haven. The performances are at the University Theatre, 222 York St.

Dynamic Performance Highlights 'No Child' at Long Wharf

Nilaja Sun

Nilaja Sun gives a dynamic performance in her one-woman story, based on her personal experiences as a teaching artist in the New York public schools, in No Child, through April 18 on Long Wharf Theatre’s Stage II.

Sun faces an ambivalent student body, a constant stream of new teachers and impending Regents exams while struggling to put on a play about prison inmates at fictional Malcolm X High in the Bronx. Directed by Hal Brooks, Sun plays all the various characters in this funny, poignant look at one woman’s attempt to make a difference.

The 70-minute piece contains some language. Curtain times are Tuesdays at 7 pm., Wednesdays at 2 and 7 pm., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are $30-$65. For more information about the show or to purchase tickets, visit www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.

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CT Residents Get Looped on Broadway; Kathleen Turner stars in 'High' at TheaterWorks

Looped, starring Valerie Harper as Tallulah Bankhead, opened on Broadway yesterday. The play is written by CT resident Matthew Lombardo and directed by TheaterWorks Hartford's Senior Artistic Associate Rob Ruggiero. For a review, click here.

Meanwhile, Lombardo's next play High will receive its world premiere here at TheaterWorks July 9-Aug. 22 and will star Kathleen Turner with Ruggiero directing. The play will be presented in conjunction with Cincinnati Playhouse and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and replaces Reasons To Be Pretty as the fourth offering in TheaterWorks' five-play 2009- 2010 season.

In High, when Sister Jamison Connelly (Turner, right) agrees to sponsor a 19-year-old drug user in an effort to help him combat his addiction, her own faith is ultimately tested. Struggling between the knowledge she possesses as a rehabilitation counselor and a woman of religious conviction, she begins to question the belief in miracles and whether people can find the courage to change. High explores the universal themes of truth, forgiveness, redemption and human fallibility.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm with weekend matinees at 2:30 pm.

Seats are $39 for weeknights and matinees; $49 for Friday and Saturday evenings. Seating is general admission. Center reserved seats are $12 extra. College-age student rush seats are $12 at show time with valid school ID (subject to availability). Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more. A three-play subscription package for TheaterWorks' current 2009-2010 Season, including Souvenir, High, and Broke-ology is available for $89. In addition, subscriptions for TheaterWorks' upcoming five-play 2010-2011 Season have just gone on sale for $129.

For complete information and reservations, call TheaterWorks at (860) 527-7838. Visit TheaterWorks at theaterworkshartford.org.

'Are You My Mother?' Comes Alive at Westport

Westport Country Playhouse’s Family Festivities Series will present the musical adventure, Are You My Mother?, based on P. D. Eastman’s whimsical and well-loved picture book, Sunday, March 28, at 1 and 4 pm. Recommended for grades K and up, the show is produced by ArtsPower and is approximately one hour in length.

At long last, Baby Bird emerges from her shell and expects to be greeted by her mother’s song. But her mother is not there. Where is she? Why isn’t she home? With the help of Dog, Cat and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird.

Pre-show activities, for which reservations are required, begin one hour before the performances at noon and 3 pm. Pre-show activities for Are You My Mother? will be based on theater games that encourage cooperation and teamwork.

Tickets are $16. Birthday party facilities may be scheduled in advance. Everyone in the audience requires a ticket regardless of age. For tickets or to receive a Family Festivities brochure, call the box office at 203-227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit the box office at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport, or visit online at http://www.westportplayhouse.org./

Groups of 10 or more save up to 30 percent off the regular ticket price. For group sales information call (203) 227-5137, x120.

Leads Cast for Shakespeare on the Sound's 'Othello'

Victor Williams will play the title role and Jesse J. Perez will play ‘Iago’ in Shakespeare on th Sound's production Othello this summer under the direction of Joanna Settle.

Perez returns following his acclaimed ‘Puck’ in last year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Williams will be making his Shakespeare on the Sound debut. He was a series regular for nine years on “The King of Queens,” among many other theater, television and film credits. Complete casting will be announced shortly.

Currently in its 15th Season, Shakespeare on the Sound will present Settle’s all-new production at two beautiful locations on the Long Island Sound. The show will play Pinkney Park, Rowayton June 15 – 26, 2010 and Baldwin Park, Greenwich July 2 – 11, 2010.

Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Stew will provide original music and songs for the production and set designer Andrew Lieberman will return for this season’s production.

Audiences are invited to arrive early and picnic in the park before the performance. There is no admission fee, but a donation of $20 ($10 for students and seniors) is suggested. In Rowayton, parking is limited and early arrival is suggested. In Greenwich, the production is a five minute walk from the Greenwich Metro-North stop. Ample parking is available.

For rail and road directions, visit www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

Casting Set for Goodspeed's 'Annie Get Your Gun'

Casting has been announced for the Rob Ruggiero-helmed Goodspeed Musicals production of Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun April 16 – June 27.

Broadway sensation Jenn Gambatese will return to Goodspeed as sharp-shooter Annie Oakley. Previously she performed in The Norma Terris production of All Shook Up. Her Broadway credits include Tarzan, All Shook Up, A Year With Frog and Toad, Hairspray and Footloose. Leading man Frank Butler will be played by Broadway’s Kevin Earley. His Broadway credits include A Tale of Two Cities, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Les Misérables.

Buffalo Bill Cody will be played by David McDonald whose Broadway credits include the revival of Bye, Bye, Birdie; Mamma Mia; Side Show and Les Misérables. Dolly Tate will be played by Rebecca Watson who performed in Goodspeed Musicals’ 1776 and Me & My Girl. The role of Tommy Keeler will be played by Andrew Cao.

Chelsea Morgan Stock from Broadway’s The Little Mermaid will play Winnie Tate. James Beaman will play Charlie Davenport, and Michael Nichols will play Chief Sitting Bull whose Broadway credits include November and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Three Connecticut natives will join the cast; Joy Rachel Del Valle of Farmington will play Jessie, Marissa Smoker of Branford will play Nellie and Griffin Birney, also of Branford, will play Little Jake.

Ruggiero, director of Looped currently playing on Broadway, returns to Goodspeed where he directed 1776, Big River and last year’s sensation Camelot. Choreography will be by Noah Racey.

For performance times and ticket information, call 860-873-8668 or visit http://www.goodspeed.org/.