Short Takes

A Look at Our Lobby – P.G. Wodehouse on Stage!

Beloved British writer P.G. Wodehouse’s prodigious output in prose was matched by his contributions to the stage as lyricist, book writer, and playwright. This exhibit covers the major aspects of his theatre career, including his pioneering work in American musical comedy and more.

Anastasia closes on Broadway

Anastasia, the musical inspired by the 20^th Century Fox films which debuted at Hartford Stage in May 2016, will end its Broadway run on Sunday, March 31. Anastasia opened at the Broadhurst Theatre in April 2017. The beloved musical will have played 808 regular and 34 preview performances at the time of closing. Anastasia launched a successful national tour last October and is currently being performing for international audiences in Madrid, Spain and Germany. Additional productions are planned for Holland, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Australia, and Brazil. Congratulations to Director Darko Tresnjak, Christy Altomare (who so lovingly portrayed Anya at Hartford Stage and on Broadway) and the entire cast, crew and creative team on an outstanding run!

Incoming Artistic Director Melia Bensussen Directing Yerma at Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company

Prior to assuming her role as Artistic Director at Hartford Stage in June, Melia Bensussen will be directing Spanish playwright and poet Federico Garcia Lorca’s Yerma at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, in a translation and adaptation by Huntington Playwright-in-Residence Melinda Lopez. Yerma will run May 31–June 30. For more information, visit https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/2018-2019/yerma/

A Look Ahead to Next Season

Subscriptions for the six-play mainstage season are now on sale.  Three plays for the 2019/2020 season have been announced, including Quixote Nuevo by Octavio Solis, Cry it Out by Molly Smith Metzler and Jane Eyre, adapted and directed by Hartford Stage Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson. The upcoming season is the first to be helmed by incoming Artistic Director Melia Bensussen, who co-planned the season with outgoing Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak.

Visit https://www.hartfordstage.org/show/subscribe, or call the Hartford Stage Box Office at 860-527-5151. Tickets for A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas are currently on sale to subscribers only.  It is not part of a subscription series. Please note that titles and artists are subject to change.

James Lecesne hosts Future Perfect Project workshop at Hartford Stage

James Lecesne (The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey) returned to Hartford Stage on Saturday, March 9, to host a daylong workshop for The Future Perfect Project.  The Future Perfect Project was co-created by James Lecesne and Ryan Amador to empower LGBTQ high school students and student allies at Gay/Straight alliances, performing arts high schools, and youth centers across the country through songwriting and storytelling workshops. The goal of the workshops is to create safe spaces for LGBT and Questioning youth to express themselves and be seen and celebrated.  Learn more about The Future Perfect Project here: www.thefutureperfectproject.com.

Hartford ’19 Panel Discussion Recap

Over 100 people gathered at Hartford Stage on Monday, February 25 for a powerful panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Stacey Close, Associate Vice President of Equity and Diversity at Eastern Connecticut State University, on themes of social justice, equity, and civic engagement in Hartford today as they relate to the history and themes of Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit ’67. Hartford hip-hop recording artist Tang Sauce performed a song to kick off the evening, which featured a post-show reception and six local non-profit organizations sharing information about their services. Support for community activities related to Detroit ’67 was provided by CT Humanities.

Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance earns eight Olivier Award Nominations

The Inheritance, Matthew Lopez’s epic, two-part play, has earned eight 2019 Olivier Award nominations, the most for any play. Nominations include Best Play, the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director for Stephen Daldry, Best Actor for Kyle Soller, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Vanessa Redgrave. The Inheritance, a 2013 Aetna New Voices Fellowship commission, was dramaturged by Hartford Stage Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson. The 2019 Olivier Awards ceremony will be held at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, April 7.

Get Ready for Summer Fun with Education @ Hartford Stage!

Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood and Once Upon a Mattress await young artists in this year’s Education @ Hartford Stage Summer Studio! Registrations are underway for youth ages 3 to 18. The theme for the summer is “Once Upon a Time,” with classes starting July 8.  For more information, or to register, visit https://www.hartfordstage.org/education/youth-studio-classes/#summer or contact Grace Clark at gclark@hartfordstage.org or (860) 520-7244.

Meet the Writers of The Flamingo Kid!

Join The Flamingo Kid’s Robert L. Freedman (Book and Lyrics) and Scott Frankel (Music) at The Goodwin Hotel on Friday, April 12, at 5:30 pm for Hartford Stage’s “Meet the Makers” salon. Mingle with the artists, Hartford Stage staff and fellow theatre lovers over Porrón & Piña’s delectable food and unique cocktails, followed by an intimate discussion and a preview of the show’s music!  Space is limited. For more information, visit https://www.hartfordstage.org/meet-the-makers/.

Hartford Stage Employee Stars in ActUp Theater’s Raisin

Grace Clark, Education Enrollment & Marketing Coordinator at Hartford Stage, will co-star in ActUp Theater’s production of Raisin – an original, contemporary musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun. Grace will portray Ruth Younger opposite her husband, Maurice, who plays her on-stage husband Walter Lee. Also cast in the production is Gilbert Walker, 12, who has participated in Education @ Hartford Stage Summer Youth Studio and plays their son, Travis. The production will be staged in April at the Lyceum Center in Hartford for four performances. Seating is limited. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raisin-tickets-56667439838.

Coming Next – The Flamingo Kid

In the summer of ’63, against the wishes of his father, Brooklyn teenager Jeffrey Winnick leaves behind his blue-collar roots for an exciting job working as a cabana boy at the colorful El Flamingo—a posh private club on Long Island. The music, the romance, the beach are magical—until tensions grow between father and son when a slick club member takes Jeffrey under his wing. The Flamingo Kid performs May 9 through June 9.  https://www.hartfordstage.org/flamingo-kid/.