Connecticut OnStage Blog Staff Connecticut OnStage Blog Staff

Review: Roving “The Suburbs” in Ridgefield

“Thrown Stones’s mission statement includes that they “honor and celebrate local character, culture, and history.” And, they strive “to engage our region with new and reimagined theatre in intimate settings, creating a body of work that moves, connects, and challenges all who join the conversation.” This production certainly embodied these values.”

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CT Review: The Cherry Orchard at Connecticut Repertory Theatre

“Plays by Chekhov may appear intimidating -- understandably so considering the subject matter and names that are eternally long and difficult to follow. Thankfully, the program does have a character breakdown that details their relationships and Miller-Stephany has assembled a great cast, who has made a compelling and delightful production of classic 20th-century theater.”

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Review: "Spamilton" at Playhouse on Park

If you’re a fan of Broadway musicals and particularly a fan of the musical “Hamilton” then “Spamilton” is a comedic evening of parody of the acclaimed Lin-Manuel Miranda musical. The national tour has stopped in West Hartford with performances through Sept. 8 at Playhouse on Park.

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Review: "Fully Committed" at TheatreWorks

It’s one of those near inevitable stops on the way to success for an actor to work at a restaurant, dealing with temperamental patrons, apathetic co-workers, and a pretentious supervisor or chef who feels that their work is the greatest gift ever given to man. Such is the case for Sam in Becky Mode’s “Fully Committed,” produced by TheaterWorks Hartford.

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Review: “Because Of Winn Dixie” at Goodspeed Musicals

“Winn Dixie” wisely understands that real life is far more complicated and it doesn’t try to deliver easy answers. Its characters are real, flawed humans whose problems can’t be tap-danced away. Their demons won’t be cured tomorrow. It’s a good lesson for kids of all ages to learn, rolled up in a fun and charming package.”

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Review: "The Scottsboro Boys" at Playhouse on Park

John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical “The Scottsboro Boys” was not one of the duo’s more successful shows. The show opened on Broadway on Oct. 31, 2010 closed within six weeks amidst protests from people who were offended by the musical’s minstrel show themes.

Now, Playhouse on Park has chosen to take on this very timely, if possibly problematic musical, running through Aug. 4.

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Review: Cirque du Soleil’s "Luzia"

The best part of “Luzia” is its very apparent love for Mexico and its people. The live music, the costumes, the effects, and the performances all engross the audience in a beautiful menagerie of life and is not a show to be missed.

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Review: "Avenue Q" at CT Arts Players

Every theater-goer knows that they’re in for a treat when they get to see Avenue Q, and that’s exactly what the CT Arts Player’s production of the show was: a treat! It’s truly a show that never gets old. I have seen a few productions of Avenue Q throughout my life, but now that I’m a young adult, I definitely connected to the show in ways I hadn’t before.

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Review: "Actually" at Theatreworks

Consent and truth. What do these words mean to two people who recently met, went to a party, have sex afterward, and then one of them accuses the other of rape?

In her play, “Actually,” playing through June 23 as part of TheaterWorks Hartford’s residency at The Wadsworth Atheneum, Anna Ziegler attempts to challenge our assumptions of consent by making us look at the social, racial, and gender politics that arise when a night of irresponsible behavior ends with two young Princeton students in bed. The next morning, something has happened that will change both their lives forever.

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