BroadwayWorld.com Connecticut Stories

Alton Brown's THE EDIBLE INEVITABLE TOUR to Play Bushnell Center, 2/14/2014

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:50:54 PST

Alton Brown, Iron Chef host and renowned television personality is taking his brand of quirky humor and culinary science on the road with the "Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour." Brown will appear at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 14, 2014. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 7, 2013 at 10 a.m. and are available at The Bushnell box office, charge by phone at 860-987-5900, or bushnell.org.

Recently named Best Food TV Personality at The Munchies, Brown's tour promises to be an eventful evening of stand-up comedy, talks show antics, multimedia lecture, live music and food experimentation. Be prepared. Ponchos will be involved. The show will offer an interactive component in which audience members will have the opportunity to serve as Brown's trusted assistants on stage. For those hoping to sip at the pure source oF Brownian wit and wisdom, this is a must-see extravaganza for the whole family.

Brown said, "I've been cultivating material for this show for about a decade so it'll feel pretty darned good to finally get it out of my head and onto a stage. I feel we've come up with some pretty amazing food demos, and the multi-media segments are solid....but I do have to say I'm a bit nervous about the singing parts."

For complete info on when and where the tour is scheduled to stop, you can visit AltonBrownTour.com.

Although Alton Brown spent plenty of time in his mom's kitchen growing up, his real interest in food sparked in college when he discovered that girls who said "no" to dates sometimes said "yes" if he offered to cook for them. His social life never ignited, but the food spark did and after spending a decade behind the camera in the commercial industry, he headed to culinary school in hopes of one day creating a new kind of cooking show. Good Eats, the show that Brown would go on to write, produce, and host ran for 13 straight years on Food Network before making the jump to Cooking Channel where it airs to this day. Combining food science, pop culture, skit humor, innovative cooking, and the occasional belching puppet, Good Eats has millions of fans and garnered a coveted Peabody Award for broadcast excellence in 2007.

Brown has also served as the culinary commentator of Iron Chef America for 11 seasons, and hosted Next Iron Chef for 5. In 2012 he joined the cast of Food Network Star as a mentor and yes...one of his team members won. Brown took home the James Beard Award for top food show host in 2011 and the medal bookends match nicely with the one his first book nabbed in 2002. Speaking of books, he's written 7, the last three of which made the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Brown's newest venture is his touring stage show which combines many of the elements that made his television shows so unique with some new tricks such as live music, highly unorthodox culinary demonstrations, multi-media presentations, and lots of audience participation.

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts Welcomes AN EVENING WITH TABATHA COFFEY, 6/7

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:33:47 PST

Tabatha Coffey, star of Bravo's Tabatha Takes Over, is bringing her signature style of straight talk and respected business expertise to the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tabatha, who has traveled the country helping business owners succeed, will challenge you to achieve greatness, analyze your successes and failures, and you will leave the show inspired, elevated and enabled to use the skills learned in your personal and professional life.

"I am excited to have an opportunity to personally connect with more people and to encourage everyone to always strive for success and not settle," says Coffey. "I cannot wait to be in front of a live audience, to teach the tools I've learned along the way to others and to hopefully inspire some people along the way."

Tickets ($35/$45/$85 plus applicable service charges) are on sale now at bushnell.org, 860-987-5900, or at The Bushnell Box Office. Post-show meet and greet included with Gold Circle tickets.

With her signature edgy style, youthful energy, and exceptional skills as an artist and educator, Tabatha Coffey is without question the golden girl of small businesses, proving that her professional instincts transcend the realm of "beauty business" and positively shape business owners and their work environments in an assortment of areas, as is seen by millions weekly on her hit series, Tabatha Takes Over. Her resume reads like a biography of a born hairstylist. From the beginning of her career when she was 14 in her native Surfer's Paradise, Australia, to her appearance as the "Fan Favorite" on Bravo's hit series, Shear Genius in 2007, Tabatha continues to achieve accolades, most recently by being honored at Logo's fourth annual NewNowNext Awards where she won the trophy for "Most Addictive Reality Star." Coffey has a memoir in its third printing published by Harper Collins titled It's Not Really About the Hair: The Honest Truth About Life, Love, and the Business of Beauty. Coffey works regularly as an editorial stylist for fashion and beauty publications and backstage during New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

For Tabatha's live-stage performance, Tabatha invites local salons to join her to become part of the show. In order to be considered, salon workers are asked to submit a short video of asking Tabatha one question about their business, or their business dilemma/concern. The video can be a maximum of 90 seconds. Submissions guidelines are below. Those selected will be invited to come with a guest and join Tabatha on-stage to have their question answered.

1. Create a video of yourself asking a question of Tabatha. This video should be no more than 90 seconds in length.
2. Upload your video to YouTube.
3. In an email, in the subject line put TABATHA QUESTION
4. In the body of the email please put the following:
• YOUR NAME
• YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER
• YOUR HOMETOWN
• A LINK TO YOUR YOUTUBE VIDEO

Submissions without ALL of this information will not be considered for use in the show. All video submissions must be received by May 25, 2013 at 12 am. Videos should be sent to: tabathaquestions@gmail.com.

Playhouse on Park Announces Master Class with Artist in Residence, Brendan Norton

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:51:38 PST

On Tuesday, June 25th, 2013, Playhouse on Park is offering a one night only master class in Shakespeare's text with Artist-in-Residence, Brendan Norton.

Norton, starring as the Emcee in the West Hartford theater's production of "Cabaret" this summer, leads this two-hour workshop focused on building an actor's connection to Shakespeare's text through voice, body, intellect, and imagination. This class is designed for intermediate to advanced actors looking to gain a fresh perspective on classical text and looking to access a truthful, engaging interpretation of character through both individual and group work.

The workshop takes place Tuesday June 25th, 2013 from 7-9pm at Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road West Hartford, CT 06119. $40 per student; Advanced registration is required. Class size is limited to 12. Students should memorize and bring a copy of one of Shakespeare's monologues [1-2 minutes, comedy or drama, verse or prose] to the class. We will need to know which monologue will be used at the time of registration.

CT Free Shakespeare 2013 Announces A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Beginning 7/31

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:13:46 PST

This summer, Connecticut Free Shakespeare (CFS) celebrates its 14th season under the stars with William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Performances will take place at 8:00 pm on July 31 to August 4 at The American Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford, CT as part of Festival! Stratford and from August 7 to August 11in downtown Bridgeport at historic McLevy Green. Actors are courtesy of Actor's Equity Association.

Ellen Lieberman, Artistic Director of CFS, says A Midsummer Night's Dream is "Shakespeare's most magical and romantic comedy. It's also the play in which he tells us 'the course of true love never did run smooth'--and there are many lovers in this play!" The story takes place as festivities are planned for the marriage of Duke Theseus to the Queen of the Amazons. Two lovers elope during the night followed secretly by two lovesick admirers. They cross paths in a nearby forest with town craftsmen rehearsing a celebratory play for the duke and his bride. All are caught up in the disquiet of the fairy world resulting from a fierce falling out between the fairy King Oberon and his queen, Titania. Identities are mistaken. Potions go awry. Mayhem and hilarity ensue. "Ultimately, true love prevails, and all live happily ever after."

Ms. Lieberman also announced that although the company has produced outdoor theater at CT's Beardsley Zoo every summer since 2000, "Sadly, due to extraordinary difficulty in fundraising this year, it is not possible to perform there this season. Our board, our staff, and our company of actors are all saddened by this leave-taking, but we are hopeful that CFS will be back performing at the Peacock Pavilion next year." She concluded by expressing the hope that her company's loyal fans who have supported CFS all these years at the zoo will be able to see this year's production on McLevy Green or in Stratford. Last year, the season began jubilantly in early July with capacity crowds at the zoo and ended on a Saturday night in Stratford in early August with a standing ovation by an audience of 1300.

Performances begin at 8:00 pm, but those planning on attending should arrive early and bring blankets or chairs for seating. It is traditional to picnic before the play. Admission and parking are free for all performances. Performances are cancelled when weather conditions are severe. More information can be found at: www.ctfreeshakespeare.org orwww.facebook.com/CTFreeShakespeare Follow CFS on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/CFShakespeare

University of Hartford Professor and President Emeritus Dr. Humphrey Tonkin Set for a Post-Show Discussion at Hartford Stage, 5/26

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:09:50 PST

Join University of Hartford President Emeritus and University Professor of the Humanities Dr. Humphrey Tonkin for a Sunday Afternoon Discussion immediately following the 2 p.m. performance of Twelfth Night on Sunday, May 26. (The discussion is free to those attending the performance.)

Dr. Humphrey Tonkin was born in Truro, U.K., is a dual citizen of the U.K. and the U.S., and is a dedicated Esperantist. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cambridge University and his PhD from Harvard University. In 2006, he received the Cassandra Pyle Award for Leadership and Collaboration in International Education and Exchange. Currently, Dr. Tonkin teaches numerous Language and Shakespearean theatre courses at the University of Hartford's Hartt School.

Twelfth Night The bard's finest comedy is a paean to the restorative power of love. Viola lands on the shore of Illyria after losing her brother in a shipwreck, and disguises herself as a page, Cesario. Countess Olivia mourns the loss of her own brother. When the lovely Countess meets the handsome young page, desire banishes grief in this romantic comedy.

For tickets call Hartford Stage at 860-527-5151 or visit hartfordstage.org.

Theatre Historical Society of America to Visit Warner Theatre, 6/22

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:41:18 PST

The Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) will hold its forty-third annual Conclave Theatre Tour in the New York Capitol Region and Berkshires, June 18 to June 23, 2013. Members of THS will come from all over the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia to tour historic theatres and participate in the organization's annual meeting. The tour features venues in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Rome, and Gloversville, NY as well as stops in Torrington, CT and North Adams, MA.

"The Capitol Region and New England is blessed with still having a number of cities and towns that appreciate and support their local historic theatres," said THS Vice President and Conclave Chair, Michael Hauser.

The Theatre Historical Society of America is the only organization in the United States which records and preserves the rich architectural, cultural and social history of America's theatres. Through its collection and publications, THS makes available information on more than 17,000 theatres, primarily in the United States, and encourages further research in these areas.

Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, approximately 16 miles west of Chicago's loop, THS is located in the historic York Theatre building. The society operates The American Theatre Architecture Archive, which contains an extensive collection of photographs, slides, negatives, books, blueprints, clippings, videos, printed programs, and other materials on historic theatres.

The Society will be touring the Warner Theatre, as well as the Thomaston Opera House and Waterbury's Palace Theatre on Saturday, June 22.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES to Run 6/28-7/27 at Sherman Playhouse

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:20 PST

This summer, The Sherman Playhouse will debut Lucille Maude Montgomery's timeless classic ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is an enduring tale about an orphan girl, Anne Shirley, set in Prince Edward Island, Canada. From Anne's first encounter with her austere guardian to her thrilling graduation from Queen's Academy, the play faithfully recreates the memorable events and characters from the brilliant novel. Whether theatergoers are familiar with the character of Anne or meeting her for the first time, this play will solidify a lasting friendship between the audience and one of literature's most unforgettable characters.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is under the direction of Robin Frome of New Milford.

The production features many fine actors: Emma Nissenbaum, Ron Sullivan, Jeff Rossman, Stacy-Lee Frome, Pamela Martin, Michael Wright, Lucy Shea, Phair Haldin, Alyssa Svinte, Madeline De La Porta, Cassidy Ranno, Erin Shaughnessy, Sam Everett, Jerusha Wright, Lynn Nissenbaum, Kate Morris, Spencer Hauspurg, Anne E. Soltes, Olivia Minor, Shea Foscato, Garrett Foscato, Jordan McCartney, and Judy Sullivan.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES runs June 28,29 July 5,6,7 12,13 19,20 26,27. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on July 7. Tickets for all shows are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

On Thursday, June 27, The Sherman Playhouse will host a "Half-Price Preview Night" at a cost of $10 per person. No reservations are required and patrons are seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Students may view any performance for only $10 using cash only and when accompanied by an official Student ID. No reservations are accepted for students requesting a student discount.

Reservations can be made online at WWW.SHERMANPLAYERS.ORG or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622.

The Sherman Playhouse is a non-professional community theater located at 5 Route 39 North (next to the fire house) in Sherman, Conn.

Playhouse on Park & West Hartford Community Television Toast Rob Rowlson, 6/27

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:27:47 PST

Join us! On Thursday, June 27th, Playhouse on Park and West Hartford Community Television will be hosting a toast in honor of Mr. Rob Rowlson at the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium.

Retiring in July, Rowlson is currently the Director of Community Services for the Town of West Hartford, where he also previously served as Business Development Officer. Join us as we celebrate Rowlson's 16 years of community service and dedication to the town of West Hartford with a night of friends, fun, and memories.

Enjoy Rob's favorite food from West Hartford venues, entertainment from Playhouse on Park and West Hartford Community Television, great auction items, and other surprises like our recording a message in our video guest book!

This event is $50 per person (cash bar, parking validated), and as requested by Rob, all proceeds will be going to two local non-profits near and dear to his heart, West Hartford Community Television and Playhouse on Park.

To purchase tickets or make a donation, please visit www.bit.ly/toasttorob, mail a check to "A Toast to Rob" West Hartford Community Television, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford CT 06107 or pay in person in The Playhouse on Park Box Office (244 Park Road West Hartford, CT 06119) or WHC-TV Town Hall Studios. If you have any questions please contact toasttorob@gmail.com.

Shakespeare on the Sound to Stage AS YOU LIKE IT, 6/13-30

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:34:52 PST

Connecticut's premier outdoor Shakespeare will present As You Like It, June 13-30, 2013. The show is one of Shakespeare's most beloved and pastoral comedies. Claire Shannon Kelly, currently the Director of Youth Programming for Shakespeare on the Sound and the director of the company's touring educational program, "Speaking Daggers," will direct. Kelly previously worked at the Ordway Theater, the Guthrie Theater, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and the George Street Playhouse. She is a resident of New Canaan.

"Claire has been doing tremendous work for our company for the past two years and we are excited to have her vision of As You Like It in the parks. She brings a wealth of experience working with Shakespeare and an intimate knowledge of our audience. The idyllic setting of the parks is perfect for this play and the production will make the most of it," explained Steven Yuhasz, the company's Executive Director.

"This will be a production enjoyed by the entire family," Kelly explained. "Set in the present time, the environment of the production will invite the audience to feel that they are participants in the play. To me, As You Like It is a liberating story about transformation. In the Forest of Arden, Shakespeare provides a world where people can re-define themselves. Audiences will appreciate the conflict between the dark and light side of human nature where the freedom of choice exists. This delightful journey with Rosalind will leave playgoers reveling in the comedy of Shakespeare's brilliant story."

CAST

Katie Wieland (Rosalind) Katie is so honored and excited to be apart of this year's Shakespeare on the Sound. Recent credits include Daughter in A Dream Play, Shelby in Steel Magnolias, and The Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park production of All's Well That Ends Well. Katie is a founding collective member of Exit, Pursued by a Bear and a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

Christopher Ghaffari (Orlando) Previously at Shakespeare on the Sound: Julius Caesar (Lucius). New York: A Broken Liver and a Cataract (dir.). Princeton University: Angels in America (Joe Pitt),Woyzeck (Woyzeck), The Monkeys Are Coming (The Man), My Fair Lady (various), Elephant's Graveyard (dir.), Catastrophe and Ohio Impromptu (dir.), This Is Our Youth (dir.), among others. He will attend the Yale School of Drama in the fall.

Medina Senghore (Celia) Medina was most recently seen as Tanya in Sovereign, the third installment of Mac Rogers' Honeycomb Trilogy. Other New York credits: The Chalkboard Trilogy (People's Theatre Project), All the Best Ingredients (Up Theater Company), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Theater Unplugged), All the Rage (Manhattan Theatre Source). Film:Somewhere in the Middle, The Three Way (Best Supporting Actress, Reel Independent Film Extravaganza), Clonehunter, Life's Passing Me By. Training: Mary Boyer, MTB Studio.

Daniel Levitt (Oliver/Sir Oliver Martext) Daniel's New York and international acting credits include: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, La Ronde, The Oresteia, Medeia, The Whistling Mortician, Playing with Fire, The Bald Soprano, The Zoo Story, Prelude to a Kiss, The Kingdom, Harvey, and the Little Shop of Horrors. Directing credits include: What the Sparrow Said andSomewhere in the Middle with Reciprocal Interest. Daniel received his MFA in acting from Columbia University's School of the Arts.

Tom Pecinka (Jacques) New York: The Germ Project (New Georges) Losing Tom Pecinka (HERE Arts) Exquisite Corpse(Clubbed Thumb) There Will Be Snacks and The Watermelon Wars(Incubator Arts Project), Dar and Matey's Christmas Spectacularghhh (Vampire Cowboys), Richard 3 (Fringe 2010) andThe Martian Chronicles (Fordham Alumni Company). Regional: The Cat and The Canary (Berkshire Theatre Festival). Tom is a graduate of the Fordham Theatre Program and is currently enrolled in the MFA Acting program at the Yale School of Drama.

David Gautschy (Touchstone) David is thrilled to be playing Touchstone. He recently portrayed Voltaire in Madame's Last Actat the Pulse Ensemble Theatre and Granville Sharp in A Servant for Life at the Metropolitan Playhouse. Favorite roles include Prospero (The Tempest), Clive/Cathy (Cloud 9), Algernon (The Importance of Being Earnest), Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream), and Feste (Twelfth Night). He holds an MFA from the National Theater Conservatory and is also a theater director and acting coach.

Andy Baldschwiler (Duke Frederick/Duke Senior) Andy recently understudied The Pearl Theatre's Off-Broadway production ofHenry IV, Part 1. New York performances include Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream (What Dreams May Co.), the Monster in A Child's Drawing of a Monster (Vacant Lot Theatre),Twitterverse (Secondhand Theatre), and workshops/readings with Yangtze Rep and The Glass Eye. Chicago credits include Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Joe in Waiting for Lefty, Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate, and many others. Andy has studied Shakespeare with Susan Hart, Jeffrey Carlson, and Dominic Cuskern. With salutations and gratitude.

Matthew Dalton Lynch (Silvius) Matthew is a graduate of the the Stella Adler Studio's full time Conservatory. Recent credits include Ferdinand and Stefano in The Tempest, Charles the Wrestler and Silvius in As You Like It, and the Sheriff in Robin Hoodin repertory in New Hampshire for Theatre Under The Stars' summer season. He also played Lou in Arthur Miller's After The Fall for The Variations Theatre Group at the new Chain Theater in Long Island City. He wants to thanks everyone at SOTS for this wonderful opportunity.

Iris McQuillan-Grace (Phoebe) Iris is an actor and teaching artist. She holds a degree in Theater from Emerson College and an MFA from The New School for Drama. She was the drama director and intern coordinator for NAFI (North American Family Institute) and the Elm Shakespeare company. She has taught on Stanford, Yale and Amherst campus' and continues to volunteer teach for CO LAB - a group dedicated to drama outreach for emotionally disabled individuals. Her recent acting credits include: Queen Margaret (Henry 6 part 1-3)/ Holy Crab (New York Theater Workshop) and Meg in Dylan (City college resident company).

Paula Galloway (Audrey) Paula is very excited to be part of Shakespeare On The Sound's production of As You Like It. Past productions: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Measure for Measure, Admit Impediments, Guys and Dolls, Ragtime, GREEN!, Steel Magnolias, and Smokey Joe's Café. She also is a member of the band, The Icky House Club. Go toickyhouseclub.com or "like" us on Facebook! Thank you to the cast and crew of As You Like It and most of all, thank you to my supportive family. Love to Mom, Dad, Jason and Benjamin, my inspiration for everything.

Chris Smalley (Charles) Chris received his BA in Dance and Theater from Manhattanville College. He was certified in stage combat by Fight Director's Canada and received further stage combat training at the National Theater Institute, the Society of American Fight Directors and at the St. Petersburg Academy for the Performing Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. Chris has directed fights (Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, Oklahoma) and taught Theatre classes all throughout Connecticut. Currently he runs the Theatre Program at the Darien Arts Center and the Shakespeare Summer Institute in Ridgefield, CT.

Tom Butterworth (Adam/Corin) Since retiring, Tom has focused on acting. Curtain Call: Max in The Sound of Music, George inChapter Two, Stanley Banks in Father of the Bride, Hancock in 1776, and Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest. Town Players of New Canaan: Niels Bohr in Copenhagen, Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons, Goole in An Inspector Calls, and the "dames" in two Christmas pantos. Ridgefield Theater Barn: Harry inCompany and, Senex in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Tom and Libby have five children, six grandchildren, and celebrate their 32nd wedding anniversary in June.

Elena Kritter (Ensemble) Elena is thrilled to work alongside Shakespeare on the Sound as an apprentice and ensemble member. Recent roles include Romaine Patterson, Reggie Fluty (Laramie Project), Elain (The Miss Firecracker Contest), and Marie (Is He Dead?) with Lynchburg College Theatre. Elena participated in the American Shakespeare Center's Professional Actor Training Program, holds a B.A. in Theatre with Westover Honors from Lynchburg College and is a current student at the William Esper Studio.

Mike Bloom (Amiens) Mike is a resident of Norwalk, CT. He is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, where he was a two-time Irene Ryan Acting Award nominee and a recipient of a Certificate of Merit for Performance from the Kennedy Center. Mike also recently returned from a six-month tour with Missoula Children's Theatre across the United States and Canada. He has performed in a myriad of theatrical forms, from musical theatre to operetta, French farces to improv comedy, and is ecstatic to be adding Shakespeare to that list.

CREATIVE TEAM

Claire Shannon Kelly, Director: Claire has worked at Shakespeare on the Sound for the past three years as the Director of Youth Programs. She has also worked at the Guthrie Theater, the Roundabout Theater, the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, and the Ordway Music Theater among others. Most recently Claire directed Shakespeare on the Sound's acclaimed anti-bullying program "Speaking Daggers." Claire is also a Teaching Artist and has taught theater to students from pre-school through high school. Claire served as Director of Drama at Proctor Academy in New Hampshire. Additionally, Claire has worked in the theater as an actor, producer, and in several areas of arts management. She has a Masters of Arts degree from New York University.

Brian Feinstein, Music: Brian Feinstein is an award-winning composer based in New York City. Credits include: Off-Broadway's "Mimi Le Duck" starring the legendary Eartha Kitt and The Top Job; Dial M for Murder, Ever So Humble. The song No Looking Back, which debuted with the Boston Pops; the musical of Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. His current musical Tina Girlstar has been optioned by Broadway producers, Olympus Theatricals and is currently in development. Brian is the recipient of 6 ASCAP Plus Music Awards and a Jonathan Larson Memorial Fellowship. He is a member of the New Dramatists Composer/Librettist Studio, and is on the advisory board of the New York Theatre Barn. He was the Creative Director of Atlantic Theatre: the cast-recording division of Atlantic Records. He earned his MFA from the NYU Tisch School of Musical Theatre Writing after a BA from the USC School of Cinema. He is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, and the Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue League. (www.BrianFeinsteinMusic.com)

Michele Elliman, Choregrapher: Michele Elliman relishes a 30 year career as a dancer and choreographer of the concert stage. Among many fine opportunities: principal with Nina Wiener Dance Company, and the ground breaking Creation Company, Artistic Director of NYC based Neo Labos Dancetheater, with performances throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Japan. She has served on the dance faculty of Long Island University and the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, among others, and has guest taught at colleges across the US. Recent engagements include choreography for the 2012 Oscar nominated documentary "Wise Women Speak". Ms. Elliman continues her life-long study of movement through her private Pilates practice: Project Align.

Brian Prather, Scenic Designer: Brian Prather is happy to be making his debut with Shakespeare on the Sound. Off B'way credits include: The Memory Show (Transport Group), Freud's Last Session (CRC Productions),Nymph Errant and Iron Curtain (Prospect Theatre Co.), WTC View (59 E 59th), The Burnt Part Boys (Playwrights Horizons), Fugitive Songs (45th St. Theatre). International: Minyeo-neun Goerowo (South Korea). Regional: Resident Designer for the New Musical Theatre Lab at Barrington Stage Co., including premieres of The North Pool, The Memory Show, and Poolboy; Goodspeed Musicals; The Broad Stage; TheaterWorks Hartford; The Mercury Theatre; Delaware Theatre Co.; The Hangar Theatre; Florida Studio Theatre; and others. Recently awarded the Jeff Equity Award for Best Set Design for Freud's Last Session in Chicago.

Herrick Goldman, Lighting Design: Herrick Goldman has been designing lighting since 1991. His work has been seen all over the world including Brazil, India, Shanghai, London, Frankfurt, Manila, Brisbane, and other exotic locales like Boston, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, Maui, Iowa, Benton Illinois and Las Vegas. His work has been presented at Broadway's August Wilson and many Off-Broadway venues and regional theaters. www.HGlightingdesign.com

Carol Sherry, Costume Design: Carol Sherry is very excited to be joining the design team for Shakespeare on the Sound. She has been a freelance costume designer for over 25 years, and also a bit of a Shakespeare geek having fallen in love with the bard's work in college. So far in her career she has designed productions of A Winter's Tale, A Midsummer's Night Dream, and Much Ado About Nothing. This summer she will be adding Twelfth Night at Payomet PAC in Cape Cod, MA and, of course, As You Like It to her resume. Special thanks to Steven for all the opportunities, and Ben for all the support and patience.

Shannon Slaton, Sound Design: Shannon Slaton designed the national tours of Shrek, Hairspray, The Producers, Kiss Me Kate, Noise/Funk, The Full Monty, Contact, Tap Dogs, Aeros, Sweeney Todd, The Wizard of Oz, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Wedding Singer. Broadway mixing includes: Man of La Mancha, Bombay Dreams, A Christmas Carol, Sweet Charity, Jersey Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Fela!, Anything Goes, Annie, and Legally Blonde. Off Broadway he assisted on Hurly Burly and on Broadway he assisted on Steel Magnolias and was the Associate on Barefoot in the Park. He was also the Production Sound on Wicked. Regional designs include shows at George Street Playhouse, Casa Manana, and NCT. He was the Production Sound for The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and the US National tour of Phantom. He is currently mixing Annie and recently designed a permanent sound system for Studio 54 Theater.

Lucy Van Atta, Assistant Director: Lucy graduated from Middlebury College in May 2012 with a BA in Theater/English (Joint Major). She transferred to Midd from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Lucy has worked professionally as both an actress and director, performing with PTP/NYC at Atlantic Stage 2 in Spatter Pattern (July 2011) and Serious Money (July 2012). Over the past year, she has served as the Assistant Director for several Upper School Drama productions at Greenwich Academy (CT)---including Museum and The Diary of Anne Frank. Lucy is particularly interested in the link between education and the arts, and currently works at the Greenwich Historical Society as a Docent and Camp Director.

Frederick Alden Terry, Arranger/Orchestrator: Mr. Terry earned an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He has orchestrated many shows, including the critically acclaimed The Audience, produced by Transport Group, and several shows which have been in the NYC Fringe Festival, the Adirondak Theatre Festival, and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. He has also orchestrated for numerous benefits in the New York area, including the Broadway Cares events Nothing Like a Dame, Easter Bonnet, and Gypsy of the Year. In 2012 he was the vocal arranger and orchestrator for Prospect Theater Company's production of Cole Porter's Nymph Errant, and also orchestrated his own work, an adaptation of The Tempest, co-written with John Herin, which premiered at SKyPAC in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Most recently his orchestrations were heard at Arkansas Rep in Treasure Island. He is currently the bass player/arranger for cabaret artist Melodie Wolford.

22Q Entertainment, Casting: 22Q Entertainment LLC is a full-service Producing and General Management Entertainment Company founded by Robert Levinstein and Alan Wager. With over 25 years experience in the live entertainment field, 22Q Entertainment LLC has quickly become the "go to" (alternative) choice for Site-Specific theatrical productions. In addition to creative and investment producing, 22Q Entertainment LLC offers a myriad of services to enhance and consolidate production into one-stop-shopping including Casting and General Management. In its short history, 22Q Entertainment LLC has already produced award winning site-specific theatrical events and on both coasts, and Off Broadway shows. The team has also cast for major regional theatres, general managed hit off-broadway theatre, produced celebrity musical concerts and associate produced live promotional events for the Oxygen TV Network. www.22QEntertainment.com

Now in its 18th 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. For more information on Shakespeare on the Sound, visit www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

Pat Sajak to Star in CRT's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, 6/6-15

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:02:41 PST

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present The Drowsy Chaperone, starring Pat Sajak as the Man in the Chair, as the first of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series, June 6 - 15 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

The 2013 Nutmeg Summer Series will kick off with Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, returning from his performance last summer as Felix Ungar in The Odd Couple, to play The Man in the Chair in the hit Broadway musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. He will be joined by Tony-Nominated Broadway performer Liz Larsen, who will play The Drowsy Chaperone. Ms. Larsen played one of the Pigeon Sisters in last summer's popular production of The Odd Couple.

The Drowsy Chaperone is a wonderful opportunity to see iconic television legend Pat Sajak, now in his 30th season on Wheel of Fortune, with marvelous Broadway performers in the intimate, 480-seat Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, where no one is very far from the action!

The Drowsy Chaperone runs June 6 - June 15, 2013, featuring Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. For tickets and information call 860-486-2113, Mon. - Fri., noon - 5 p.m. Tickets available online at www.crt.uconn.edu.

If you've ever sat in a dark theatre and thought, "Dear Lord in Heaven, please let it be good," then The Drowsy Chaperone is for you!Pat Sajak, returns to Connecticut Repertory Theatre as the fervent musical theatre fan who plays his favorite cast album from the roaring twenties on his record player, which causes the frothy jazz age musical to burst to life around him in his living room. It tells the charming, bubbly, and slightly wacky tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love. This five-time Tony Award-winning musical will also star, as "The Drowsy Chaperone," Tony Award-nominee Liz Larsen, who CRT audiences loved last year as a Pigeon sister in The Odd Couple. With one show stopping song and dazzling dance after another, it is no wonder New York Magazine called The Drowsy Chaperone "The Perfect Broadway Musical."

THE CAST

Pat Sajak (Man in the Chair) has been the host of TV's Wheel of Fortune for more than 30 years. His other television credits include the late-night CBS talk show, The Pat Sajak Show, as well as guest appearances on The Commish, Open All Night and The Larry Sanders Show, and he has guest-starred on dozens of other talk and game shows. Pat co-starred in last season's The Odd Couple at CRT (where he reprised the Felix Unger role he had performed ten years earlier at Honolulu's Hawaii Theater). He has also appeared on stage in The Honeymooners and The Boys in Autumn.

Liz Larsen (Drowsy Chaperone) portrayed Jessica Reed on Law & Order. She has appeared on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, Annie, Damn Yankees, The Rocky Horror Show, as well as off-Broadway in A New Brain, Company, and Bingo. She was nominated for the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Featured Role - Musical for portraying Cleo in the 1992 revival of The Most Happy Fella. Other awards include a LA Dramalogue Award, a Helen Hayes Award, a NY Fringe Festival Performance Award and a NY Musical Theatre Festival Award. She has been nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award.

Adam Heller (Feldzieg) Broadway: Elf; Baby It's You; Caroline, or Change; A Class Act; Victor/Victoria; Les Miserables. Off Broadway: Fiorello (Encores); Wings; Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn; The Immigrant; Endgame; Merrily We Roll Along; Normal. Tours: Titanic; Falsettos. Regional: St. Louis Rep; Old Globe; Arden; Round House; Goodspeed; Kennedy Center; Hartford Stage and Theaterworks; Alley. Film/TV: Isn't She Great; Law & Order (all); The Sopranos; Oz; Submissions Only. BFA, NYU/ Tisch.

Jan Neuberger (Mrs. Tottendale) Broadway: Five original casts including Wicked (many turns as Mme. Morrible) and the 1974 revival of Gypsy. Off-Broadway: Many Forbidden Broadway's, All in the Timing, etc. Regional/stock: Peter Pan (Cincinnati Playhouse, the 80's), Letitia Peabody Primrose (On the 20th Century, Goodspeed), Penny Sycamore (You Can't Take It With You, Pittsburgh Public), Lee Green (Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Shakespeare & Co.). Concert halls: Carnegie and Royal Albert with Kristina. Cabarets: Boomer Girl, A One (Middle-aged) Woman Show, written and performed by Jan Neuberger with music by Ben Cohn. Trinity College, 2013, B.A. Creative Writing.

Jay Rogers (Underling) Favorite NYC roles: Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly (Drama Desk nominee) and Whoop-De-Doo!, Mignon Mullen in My Deah!, Archy in Archy and Mehitabel, Mr. Charles (U/S) in The Lincoln Center production of Paul Rudnick's The New Century, Roscoe in the original company of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens and Trey in The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. Recent regional appearances: Arthur, The Angel, in It's A Fabulous Life at Broward Center and Uncle Fate in Idaho! (NYMF "Best Of Fest") at Forrestburgh Theatre. Jay has won multiple MAC and Backstage Bistro Awards for his hit one-man cabaret shows.

Stephen Brower, Gino Antonio Chaviano, Kristin Devine, Amani Dorn, Alex Gibson, Devin Johnson, Kevin Jones, Ethan Kasnett, Zach Miller, Alix Paige, Ryan Phillips, Scott Ripley, Courtney Romano, Ian Saunders, Gianna Yanelli, Kate Zulauf.

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Vincent J. Cardinal (Co-Director) was the Chair of Theatre at the University of Miami and the Artistic Director of the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre. He served as the Director of the School of Theater and Head of the MFA Playwriting Program at Ohio University and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Adelphi University. Cardinal was the Director of off-Broadway's Circle Repertory Company School of Theater. He was also an Associate Artist with The Circle Repertory Company and a member of its LAB. He graduated in Playwriting from the Yale School of Drama where he was honored with the ASCAP-Cole Porter Award for Best-Collected Work. His plays have been produced internationally. He has directed more than 80 productions from coast to coast including 22 world premieres. Most recently, he directed Romeo & Juliet for CRT

Cassie Abate (Co-Director, Choreographer) Regional and University directing and choreography credits: Guys and Dolls and Seussical at CRT, Pirates of Penzance at the Stephen Sondheim Center, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, Music Man, Moby Dick: the Musical, Little Women, and Zanna, Don't!. Regional and Tour performing credits: Sophisticated Ladies at Arena Stage starring Maurice Hines, National Tour of Urban Cowboy (Bubbles), My Fair Lady at CRT, 42nd Street at North Shore (Lorraine), West Side Story (Maria u/s), Pirates of Penzance (Mabel), Singin' in the Rain (Kathy Selden), The Boyfriend (Polly) and Little Women (Beth). Cassie will begin in the fall as Head of Dance in the Musical Theatre Program at Texas State University. AEA & SDC (assoc.).

N David Williams (Music Director) is thrilled to return this summer to CRT after serving as musical director for last summer's shows. He is the head of and the music director for the University of Miami Department of Theatre Arts and the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, as well as the music director of the Adirondack Lakes Summer Theater Festival. Mr. Williams is a well-known classical pianist and accompanist who works throughout the world. His professional musical theatre credits include: Sunday in the Park With George, Rent, A New Brain,The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, etc. He has served as guest pianist with the San Francisco Ballet, Florida Grand Opera, the Miami City Ballet, Maximum Dance and is the founder of several interNational Theatre summer programs.

Michael Anania, Scenic Designer; Lisa Loen, Costume Designer; Michael Cybowski, Lighting Designer; Nathan Leigh, Sound Designer.

Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now. Please call 860-486-2113 for tickets or for more information. Please call or visit the box office for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change. Tickets available online at www.crt.uconn.edu.

Weeknight evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. Weekend evening performances start at 8 p.m. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m.

Three-show subscription package prices range from $30 to $99. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $45.