Sing Me Sunshine! Photos - Off-Off-Broadway

Hershey Area Playhouse presents the first mainstage show of its 20th Anniversary Season, Dearly Departed, a comedy by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones.

Connecticut has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to established actors who have homes here, so it means that much more to Connecticut theatre lovers when one of their own residents works his way through any of its many community theatres and then gets to Broadway. One such actor is Michael Barra, a native of Durham. He is featured in the critically acclaimed musical, A Bronx Tale, now playing at the Longacre Theatre co-directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks.

'I try to do every play I direct keeping in mind both people who have never seen it before and those who might know it well. I ask myself, 'What would today's audience want to hear and how can I tell the story for this a contemporary public?' I actively look for ways to put a spin on even a well-known show like the Music Man so that some things strike the audience as surprises, as fresh and different. I want them not to sing along with tunes they know, but be caught off guard a little and be so busy watching the story unfold that they forget they already know it.' Director/choreographer Marc Robin is discussing his latest staging of Meredith Willson's classic musical, the Music Man, for Maine State Music Theatre. Robin was part of a panel that also included the shows stars, Curt Dale Clark and Lauren Blackman, MSMT's Props Designer Kyle Melton, and the company Director of Communications Carol Marquis, moderated by BWW's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold, the fourth such talkback in the company's summer series, Peek Behind the Curtain, which drew a standing-room only crowd.

This big gal was cast to play the sexy, beat up, beautiful Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. It was an Incredible experience! I honestly believe that if you love yourself, then no one can bring you down.

My mom said I stuck out like a sore thumb from the time I first started singing and acting. I have always been loud and obnoxious.

John Denver was an environmentalist before it was fashionable and a man not afraid to sing about his deep love for the Earth and his wife. While few radio stations still play his music, his many albums sold millions of copies during his singing career from 1969-1997. Those of us in the audience on opening night were quick to join in singing, spreading Denver's joy and love throughout the theater.

On Thursday, April 21st, Academy Award- and Tony Award-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo ('The Kids Are All Right') discussed his work acting in such films as 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and 'Shutter Island,' and directing, producing and starring in the new film 'Sympathy for Delicious,' his directorial debut at TimesTalks.

FOOD FIGHT: A Musical Comedy for Waist Watchers!, the hilarious hit show about our love/hate relationships with food, dieting and exercise, makes its Midwest debut April 15 at the intimate and distinctive setting of The Playhouse at Westport Plaza, and continues through May 24. Audiences are sure to burn off a few calories in the most enjoyable way possible: laughter, as Cheryl Corn (played by Annie Cook), Carla Cook (played by Tafee Patterson), Connie Pizzarelli (played by Missy McArdle) and Cindy Berger (played by Amanda Shae Willborn) sing, dance and 'fight' their way through various battles with food, exercise and body image.

Speaking to a group of voice teachers and students, Mitchell dissected one of his signature tunes, 'The Impossible Dream.'