The Lights Are on at the Mark Twain House

Upcoming events:

Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, 77 Forest Street, Hartford; 5:00 p.m. reception, 5:30 pm discussion. FREE event! To register, call 860-522-9258, Ext. 317.
 

Nook Farm Book Talk, a collaboration between The Mark Twain House & Museum and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, continues with Poganuc People, Harriet Beecher Stowe's loosely based autobiographical work.

Stowe depicts the life and times of a small Puritan town, Poganuc, based on her childhood in Litchfield, Connecticut. It features colorful characters like Miss Dolly and Colonel Davenport, local politics, small town religiosity, and anecdotal recipes for life.

 

 

Friday, November 2, 7:00 p.m. reception, 8:00 p.m. conversation. Tickets are $25, and can be obtained by calling 860-280-3130 or 860-232-0050.

A conversation with six authors, "Come Out Writing: Queer Authors Tell All," will take place at The Mark Twain House & Museum on Friday, Nov. 2, and explore the particular problems and strengths that the fact of being gay brings to the writer's art.

All proceeds from the event benefit the museum and True Colors, the Hartford-based non-profit organization that provides support, education and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, adults and families.

Participants include novelist, actor and filmmaker James Lecesne; poet and journalist Bessy Reyna; playwright Jacques Lamarre; author Frank Anthony Polito; writer Tanisha McMillan; and novelist Jennifer Lavoie.

 

Campbell

Deadline is Monday, Nov. 5, for six-week classes starting next week. Tuition is $500. Call 860-280-3130 to register.

Susan Campbell on Non-Fiction, Mary-Ann Tirone Smith on Fiction: We're extending the deadline for registering for our popular six-week fall writing classes: The new deadline is Monday, November 5.

Campbell is the longtime columnist and award-winning author of Dating Jesus: A Story of

Smith

Fundamentalism, Feminism and the American Girl; Smith is the similarly acclaimed author of Masters of Illusion and Girls of Tender Age.

The six sessions of each class will run at the same time in separate classrooms -- from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the Mark Twain House Museum Center, beginning Nov. 7 and running to December 19 (no class Nov. 21).

Frances Sternhagen, David Marguiles Among Cast for Script in Hand Reading of Joe DiPietro Comedy at Westport Playhouse

David Maguiles

Casting has been announced for Westport Country Playhouse’s Script in Hand playreading of “Over the River and Through the Woods” by Tony Award-winning playwright Joe DiPietro, a comedy about a single, Italian-American guy who visits his beloved, though annoying, grandparents every Sunday for dinner.

Scheduled for one-night-only on Monday, Nov. 12 at 7 pm, the cast includes Matthew Amendt, Nicole Lowrance, David Marguiles, Frances Sternhagen, Maria Tucci, and Lenny Wolpe. Director is Anne Keefe, Playhouse artistic advisor.

Tickets to the Script in Hand playreading are $15. Tickets for the reading and post-performance dessert reception with the cast in the Playhouse’s Sheffer Studio are $50 ($15 for reading plus a $35 donation for reception). The reception will include Italian desserts and Prosecco. 

Frances Sternhagen

Playwright Joe DiPietro won two Tony Awards for co-writing “Memphis,” which also received the 2010 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for Best Musical. He wrote the book of the current Broadway musical, “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” His other plays and musicals include “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change” (the longest-running musical revue in Off-Broadway history); “The Toxic Avenger” and “The Thing About Men” (both winners of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway musical); the much-produced comedy “Over the River and Through the Woods”; “The Art of Murder” (Edgar Award winner for Best Mystery Play); and the Broadway musical “All Shook Up.” His drama “Creating Claire” debuted at George Street Playhouse in 2010. His work has received thousands of productions across the country and around the world. 

Director Anne Keefe served as artistic director of Westport Country Playhouse, with Joanne Woodward, in 2008 and as associate artistic director from 2000-2006, also with Ms. Woodward. She co-directed with Ms. Woodward the Westport Country Playhouse production of “David Copperfield,” and directed many Script in Hand playreadings. 

Upcoming Script in Hand playreadings include the romantic comedy, “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry, on Monday, December 10, 7 p.m. “The Philadelphia Story” has been a play, a film, and, as “High Society” with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, a Broadway and movie musical as well. Other Script in Hand playreadings will take place on Mondays, February 11 and March 11, titles to be announced.

For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse) or get an insider’s peek on The Playhouse Blog (www.theplayhouseblog.org).

October Monthly, Weekly Metro-North Tickets Good Through Nov. 5

As of 2 pm, Metro-North will restore limited service on its Harlem Line between North White Plains and Grand Central Terminal. The service will operate every hour. Hudson and New Haven Line continue to be suspended. 

See www.mta.info  for full details.  Off-peak fares will be in effect. Customers should hold onto their October monthly and weekly tickets; they will be valid for travel through Monday, Nov. 5.

Updated November Listings at The Kate

Event: NT Live: Timon of Athens

Date: Thursday, November 1

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: $20 Adults

Event: Beauty Lou & The Country Beast

Date: Saturday, November 3

Time: 12 pm and 3 pm

Price: $10 child/ $14 adult

Event: Michael Johnson

Date: Saturday, November 3

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: $25 orchestra/$20 balcony

Event: Otello Encore

Date: Tuesday, November 6

Time: 12:55 p.m.

Price: $25

Event: Janis Ian

Date: Thursday, November 8

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Price: $40

Event: Stoned Soul Picnic

Date: Friday, November 9

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: $35 Center Orchestra/ $32 Side and Balcony

Event: Kaki King

Date: Saturday, November 10

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: $25

Event: The Tempest

Date: Saturday, November 10

Time: 12:55 p.m.

Price: $28

Event: Patty’s Green

Date: Sunday, November 11

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Price: $10

Event: Tempest Encore

Date: Tuesday, November 13

Time: 12:55 p.m.

Price: $25

Event: Kate Classic: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Date: Thursday, November 15

Time: 2:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Price: $8

Event: Tom Paxton

Date: Friday, November 16

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: $35/$38

Event: The Comcast Children’s Series Presents: Little Princess Christmas

Date: Sunday, November 18

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Price: $10 Child/ $16 Adult

Event: One Little Wish

Date: Friday, November 23- Sunday November 25

Time: 7:30 p.m. on 11/23; 1:00 p.m. 11/24& 25

Price: $40 Adults/ $30 Students and Seniors

Event: Grand Slambovians

Date: Friday, November 30

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price $27

Review of The Last Romance at Seven Angels

Ron Crawford and Marie Wallace. Photo courtesy of Seven Angels Theatre

I wasn't able to reschedule a performance of The Last Romance at Seven Angels Theatre following an injury that haulted the opening night performance at intermission, but colleague Bonnie Goldberg has forwarded a link to her review which you can read at http://bonniegoldberg.blogspot.com. Thanks Bonnie!

The show runs through Nov. 11.

For tickets and information: 203-757-4676 or online at www.sevenangelstheatre.org. Performances are Thursday at 2 pm, and 8 pm., Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.

CT Rep's Intimate Apparel is a Go for Tonight

Esther Mills (Khetanya Henderson) with Mr. Marks (Harrison Howard Haney) in a scene from Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s production of Intimate Apparel, by Lynn Nottage, playing now through Nov. 4 in the Studio Theatre, Storrs. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.

CT Rep's preformance of Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparrel is on for tonight in the studio at 7:30 pm. Info: 860-486-2113 or http://crt.uconn.edu/.

Storm Updates for Connecticut Theater/Arts

Check here for the latest regarding cancellations, schedules due to the Hurricane Sandy storm.

IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE has cancelled the first two preview performances of THE KITCHEN WITCHES on Wednesday, Oct. 31. One preview performance on Thursday Nov. 1  still possible before opening on Friday, Nov.  2. Check back for update.

YALE REP cancels Monday’s Preview Performance of Marie Antoinette. If you have tickets for Monday night, they will be honored for an alternate performance. Tickets exchanged without fees when the box office reopens on Tuesday or Wednesday.

--- METRO NORTH trains, NYC subway service and LIRR service will be shut down as of 7 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, final bus service end at 9 p.m.
For additional information on closings:
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2012/10/28/news/doc508ae2a7ef4b3418399038.txt

For school closings:
http://www.ctnow.com/weather/closings/

Connecticut Weather Updates:
http://www.weather.com/weather/right-now/Hartford+CT+USCT0094

Quick Hit Theater Review: Chicago -- The Bushnell

Chicago
The Bushnell
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Fred ebb and Bob Fosse
Choreography Ann Reinking

What's it about?
A bunch of murderesses in late 1920s Chicago populate the cellblocks waiting for their trials. Mama (Kecia Lewis-Evans), the matron, takes good care of her girls and for the right price, puts in a call to lawyer Billy Flyn (John O'Hurley) to come up with a sensational defense that will interest the press and tabloid reporters like Mary Sunshine (D. Micciche). The current star of murder row is Velma Kelly (a terrific Amra-Faye Wright who played the role on Broadway), but she is usurped by new sensation Roxy Hart (Christie Brinkley), who is still supported by mousy husband, Amos (Ron Orbach), even though she is accused of murdering her lover.

What are the highights?
Well, first there is the fabulous score and really clever lyrics. It's a Kander and Ebb triumph, one-upped only by their more recent Scottsboro Boys. Several performers here are high caliber. Wright sounds like she was born to sing this role (and at times, she sounds a lot like Chita Rivera, the original Velma, too. It's a treat.) Lewis-Evans has a great vocal instrument (and she makes us chuckle with some fresh interpretations on Mama's songs.) O'Hurley is fun as the suave, yet sleasy attorney and lends a nice vocal voice to his tunes as well. Orbach (a cousin of Jerry Orbach, who was the original Billy Flynn) definitely gets noticed for his fine, sensative portrayal of the almost invisible, unappreciated Amos.

What are the lowlights?
Christie Brinkley, who played this role twice on Broadway, gives it a professional effort (adopting a speaking voice that sounds a lot like original Roxie Gwen Verdon), and she looks terrific, but singing and dancing don't come naturally to the former supermodel. Solos can be tedious. Micciche is too tall for the part and is costumed in an outfit that's a little too on the masculine side. There's also some kind of distracting reverb in the sound mix on some numbers.

More information:
This quick-stop tour plays at the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, through Sunday, Oct. 28. For tickets and performance information call 860-987-5900 or visit www.bushnell.org.

Theater Review: Something's Afoot -- Goodspeed

The cast of Something's Afoot. © Photo by Diane Sobolewski



It’s Not a Whodunit. It’s a Whydunit?
By Lauren YargerThe biggest mystery surrounding Something’s Afoot isn’t who’s murdering guests at a posh estate on a remote island. It’s why Goodspeed would decide to present a revival of such a flawed musical when there are so many other more deserving shows out there. It’s not a whodunit. It’s a whydunit? 

The musical Something’s Afoot originally was produced at the Goodspeed Opera House in 1973. It later opened on Broadway in 1976 and closed after 61 performances (critics haven’t been fans), but in what is really a mystery, it went on to have a run in London where it was nominated for an Olivier Award in 1977. It’s puzzling, since this supposed spoof of Agatha Christie mysteries isn’t very funny and the music and lyrics don’t fit the mood (score, lyrics and the book are credited to James McDonald, David Vos and Robert Gerlach, with additional music by Ed Linderman).

This production, conceived by Casey Hushion, but directed by Choreographer Vince Pesce when she had to pull out because of an illness in her family, doesn’t solve the mystery of how to make the show work either. Pregnant pauses wait for punch lines that are dead on arrival; musical numbers go on forever and a character’s cry of “one more time” isn’t exactly welcome.

In the middle of the action (and I use the term liberally) actors are singing songs titled “I Don’t Know Why I Trust You (But I Do),” “Dinghy,” and “The Legal Heir” with lyrics like “Pooh, pooh, stiff upper lip,” and “remember Queen Victoria” while unbelievably doing things like whirling about, leaping up on furniture or twirling spears….

Add to these problems the following: ensemble singing that’s off-key; a character actress who shouldn’t be cast in a singing role; an ensemble that doesn’t seem to have come together as one (an understudy went on for one of the leads on opening night); and a still-in-rehearsals feel to a production that’s been running in previews for nearly a month. Now you have a clue as to what the real crime is.

But enough said about what doesn’t work. A perfect storm like this is pretty unusual at the Opera House. Let’s just leave it at that and take a quick look at the story and some of the things that do deserve a pat on the back.

It’s 1935 (the actors are dressed in stereotypical period costumes by Designer Tracy Christensen) and one by one, guests arriving at the isolated Rancour Retreat (set designer Adrian W. Jones creates a stately mansion) end up dead. The first to go is Clive (Ron Wisniski), so we assume the butler didn’t do it. But who did?

Could it be the maid, Lettie (Liz Pearce), the caretaker Flint (Khris Lewin) or family physician Dr. Grayburn (Peter Van Wagner)? Perhaps it’s Nigel Rancour (Benjamin Eakeley who lends a nice voice), the nephew of the retreat’s owner who sent invitations to all of the guests for an unknown reason. Or could it be the lovely, young Hope Langdon (Julia Osborn -- I saw understudy Alyssa Gagarin) who becomes romantically involved with Geoffrey (Hunter Ryan Herdlicka) who unexpectedly turns up at the retreat amidst the thunder, rain and murder? Cue the spooky organ music…(Michael O’Flaherty music directs and conducts the seven-member orchestra.)

Also under suspicion are Lady Grace Marley-Prowe (Lynne Wintersteller, who has a very nice singing voice) and Army Col. Gillweather (Ed Dixon whose humor helps break things up a little). Will amateur detective Miss Tweed (Audrie Neenan) crack the case before the last victim is dragged off to the library?

No spoliers here. You’ll just have to find out for yourself.

Something's Afoot runs through Dec. 9 at Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St., East Haddam. Performances are Wednesday at 2 and 7:30 pm, Thursday at 2* and 7:30 pm; Friday at 8 pm; Saturday at 3 and 8 pm; Sunday at 2 and 6:30 pm* (*Sunday 6:30 through Nov. 4; Thursday 2 pm begins Nov. 8). Tickets range from $35.50-$73.50 (860)-873-8668 or www.goodspeed.org.

Special offers:

Trick or ‘Tini Package: Wed, Oct 31, 7:30 pm. Looking for an alternative to sitting home handing out
candy? This frightfully good Halloween special includes a ticket to the evening show and specialty martini for only $46 per person.

Food Drive: Monday, Nov. 19. Two-for-one tickets for select seats to the 2 & 7:30 pm performances with a generous non-perishable food donation to benefit the East Haddam Food Bank.

Meet the Cast: Take part in a lively discussion with the cast after the Thursday evening performances on Nov. 1, 15 and 29. Meet the Cast events are free with a ticket to that evening’s performance.

Intimate Apparel Opens at CT Rep's Studio Theater

Esther Mills (Khetanya Henderson) with Mr. Marks (Harrison Howard Haney) in a scene from Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s production of Intimate Apparel, by Lynn Nottage, playing now through Nov. 4 in the Studio Theatre, Storrs. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre will present Intimate Apparel Oct. 25 – Nov. 4, as the first show in its Studio Works Series in the Studio Theatre on the Storrs campus. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

At 35, Esther is lonely. A skilled African-American seamstress in 1905 Manhattan, she makes exquisite undergarments for clients.  Strong, practical and confident Esther resists her landlady’s insistence on marriage for marriage’s sake while cautiously allowing an unexpected friendship, filled with longing, to grow between her and her fabric merchant, an immigrant Jew.

 

After exchanging letters with a West Indian laborer, Esther finally accepts his invitation and marries this man she has never met. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage stitches a tale of romance, greed and ambition – and also a tender story of seeking real friendship across the vast social gulf separating a seamstress and a socialite, the yearning of inter-racial as well as inter-faith love, and the persistence of spirit as Esther tries to craft a life as beautiful as one of her camisoles.

Intimate Apparel offers both a historical exploration into the black experience in America in the beginning of the 20th century, as well as a personal exploration into how societal constructs directly affect an individual’s opportunities and choices.

Intimate Apparel won the 2004 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play, the American Theatre Critics/Steinberg New Play Award and the Outer Critics Circle Best Play Award. Nottage has received a MacArthur “Genius” Grant (2007), two NAACP Theatre Awards for performance and the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award for a playwright in mid-career (2004). Nottage won the OBIE Award for Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Ruined in 2009. In 2010, she received the Distinguished Playwright Award.

For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu.