Rob Ruggiero News

TheaterWorks announced additional artists today to their virtual series LIVING ROOM and GET SAUCED:

TheaterWorks announced today that their virtual series LIVING ROOM and GET SAUCED will continue to stream weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays through the spring season.

Broadway's Erin Mackey will lead Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific at Goodspeed Musicals'. The production begins April 17 will run through June 28 at The Goodspeed.

TheaterWorks Hartford Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero announced today that the limited run of EVERY BRILLIANT THING will star Chad Jennings (Broadway's WICKED). Artistic Associate ERIC ORT (THE WOLVES) will direct. Rob said 'I love this piece. It's exactly what we need in these challenging times. A life affirming, healing experience that can only happen in the theater. I couldn't be more excited!'

TheaterWorks Hartford Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero announced today that the limited run of EVERY BRILLIANT THING will star Chad Jennings (Broadway's WICKED). Artistic Associate ERIC ORT (THE WOLVES) will direct.

 Two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals has brought together an extraordinary group of artists to contribute to the trio of exciting productions planned this season: a beloved Golden Age classic, a World Premiere folk-rock musical and a thrilling musical masterwork. Single tickets for all three shows set for Goodspeed's 2020 season go on public sale Sunday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m..

TheaterWorks Hartford Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero announced today that a limited run of EVERY BRILLIANT THING will be added to the season.

TheaterWorks Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero announced today the cast and creative team for the Connecticut Premiere of THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell. Tracy Brigden (Hand to God) directs a cast that includes Tasha Lawrence (A Doll's House Part 2), Nick LaMedica (Hand to God) and Rufus Collins (TheaterWorks Hartford debut).

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2020 season, which opens June 15 with Kander and Ebb's internationally-acclaimed Chicago. Among the talented list are a mix of Muny favorites and newcomers. In addition to casting, a comprehensive list of design teams for each production will be released later this spring. Telsey + Company is the official casting partner for Muny.

Christmas is a season of traditions. From the decorations that have their certain place on the mantel, to the cookies like grandma used to make, people thrive on the familiar during the holidays. This goes for films and TV specials as well. Who doesn't pause to see if George Bailey will save the savings and loan, if Ralphie will actually get his Red Ryder BB Gun, or if Rudolph will finally prove his red nose can do great things. No matter how many viewings, there is something about the characters of these beloved Christmas programs that feels familiar and right. But have you ever wondered what happened to these larger than life characters after their time in the red and green spotlight? These are the questions that TheaterWorks in Hartford hilariously tackles in CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS.

Ruggiero, Connecticut's newest holiday tradition is celebrating its 7th year. Christmas on the Rocks features seven playwrights each adding their own spin to the canon of holiday traditions past. Rob said 'Audiences love Christmas on the Rocks. I'm so glad Jenn and Randy are coming back and I'm super excited to have TED LANGE join us this year. Who didn't love Issac from THE LOVE BOAT - America's favorite bartender. Ted is warm and charming - the perfect addition to this crazy show.  It's a super talented cast and I love that we're introducing yet another new twist to our happy holiday tradition.a?? 

Sometimes the most powerful theatrical experiences are the ones that hit closest to home. In today's America, with racial and political divides growing ever wider and tensions building to a breaking point, it might just be a play like Christopher Demos-Brown's AMERICAN SON that will shine the brightest light on these issues, not only pointing out the flaws and imperfections, but providing a spotlight for all of us to truly see. And, by offering this intense and thought-provoking piece as its opening play (of the season and of their newly remodeled space), TheaterWorks Hartford boldly illustrates why it is well-qualified and well-appointed to deliver such a powerful night of theatre.

In 1984, TheaterWorks' founder Steve Campo took a long hard look at Hartford's cultural landscape and decided to start a new theater company. From day one, TheaterWorks' mission was to provide Hartford with performances of important works by contemporary American playwrights a?" works otherwise not performed in the region, works that are high-spirited, highly charged, sometimes controversial, but always engaging. Thirty plus years later, TheaterWorks Hartford is ushering in a new 'era' with a redesigned logo, bold new branding, an updated website and a $5.7 million renovation of its Pearl Street home. 

Rob Ruggiero, TheaterWorks Producing Artistic Director announced today that the $5.7 million renovation of the theater's historic home is nearly complete - on time and on budget. TheaterWorks is welcoming the public to attend an Open House on Wednesday Oct 16 from 4-8pm to tour the space.

THE LOVE BOAT's favorite bartender, TED LANGE is joining the cast of Connecticut's run away holiday hit CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS. Running December 1 through December 23rd, this is the 7th year TheaterWorks has staged the production to an ever-growing audience.

TheaterWorks Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero announced today the cast and creative team for AMERICAN SON, the first play of the theater's 34th season. The cast includes Ami Brabson, J Anthony Crane, John Ford Dunker and Michael Genet all making their TheaterWorks debut. AMERICAN SON is the first play to open in the theater's newly renovated space and runs October 18 through November 23, 2019. Press Night is Thursday October 24th at 7:30.

Theaterworks Producing Artistic Director, Rob Ruggiero announced the 5th play in its 2019-2020 Season today. Last year's celebrated Broadway comedy, The Lifespan of a Fact by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell will make its Connecticut premiere January 30th through March 8, 2020. Ruggiero said 'TheaterWorks is one of the few theaters across the country granted the rights to produce this show this year and we're thrilled. It's an ingenious play - a comedic struggle between truth and accuracy and all the grey spaces in between. It couldn't be more timely, more topical.'

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, stage and screen star, Valerie Harper, passed away following a decade-long battle with cancer. She was 80 years old. Today BroadwayWorld remembers Harper with a look back into our archives.

TheaterWorks Producing Artistic Director, Rob Ruggiero announced four of the five shows in its 2019-2020 season today. The theater will open its season with AMERICAN SON by Christopher Demos-Brown.

TheaterWorks Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero announced today the cast and creative team for FULLY COMMITTED. Audience favorite Jamison Stern, (GEORGIA MCBRIDE's Miss Tracy Mills) returns as Sam an out of work actor manning the reservation line in New York's hottest restaurant. Bill Fennelly, returns home to Hartford to make his directorial debut at TheaterWorks. FULLY COMMITTED runs August 1 through September 1 and is the 5th and final show of the 20182019 Season. FULLY COMMITTED will be performed at the Wadsworth Atheneum