‘“A Shayna Maidel” is a remarkably smart and sensitive play, with beautiful performances and a highlight of the season.”

“Goodspeed Opera House’s production of Elton John and Lee Hall’s “Billy Elliot” running through Nov. 24 is at times one of the best shows I’ve seen at the Opera House, and at other times feels like Goodspeed overreached.”

“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.”

‘“Quixote Nuevo” is a great start for the new season of Hartford Stage and a touching 2 ½ hours of drama and comedy.”

“Playhouse on Park kicked off their 11th season last week with a riotously hysterical production of the absolutely absurd musical comedy “Nunsense,” running through Oct. 13.”

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.

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.

Armed with the knowledge that they have the ability to assemble a solid troupe of female actors, Little Theatre of Manchester has brought a light comedy about southern female camaraderie and the bonds of life long friendship in “The Dixie Swim Club” by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten.

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.

What’s most important though is bringing Irving Berlin to life and not have him feel too much like a caricature, but someone with a degree of depth. Felder achieves that depth with a delicate grace and degree of legerdemain.

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.

Little Theatre of Manchester has assembled together a production of Larry Kramer’s “The Naked Heart” that is exceptional community theater, giving a solid production that reminds us of the dangers of ignoring people groups that are in severe and dangerous situations.

An exceptional leading cast of women and confident direction by Terrence Mann has made Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!” a delightful show.

It could be argued that everyone has an addiction. It can be as common as drugs or alcohol; it could be more culturally acceptable, like television or video games. Even science and religion can become a person’s addiction.

In Dave Malloy’s new musical, “Octet,” recently extended to June 30 at the Pershing Square Signature Center, he addresses one of the more recent growing addictions, personal technology.

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.

It’s unfortunate that “The Flamingo Kid” is coming out in the wake of so many “teen musicals” like “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Be More Chill,” and “The Prom.” It would be a shame if people think it is just another coming-of-age teen show, especially since it is better than these other shows with the exception of “Be More Chill.” “The Flamingo Kid,” though not perfect, has a lot of great things to offer.