Shanley's Doubt Opens at TheatreWorks in July

Sister Aloysius has her certainty and armed with that she will not stop. Don't miss this riveting and thought-provoking production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt, which runs July 10 through August 1, 2009 at TheatreWorks New Milford.

Doubt is directed by yours truly and features some of the finest actors in the area, including regional favorite Noel Desiato as Sister Aloysius Beauvier, J. Scott Williams as Father Flynn, Jessica Alex as Sister James and Stephanie Jackson as Mrs. Muller.

Tickets are selling fast, so order yours today!

I’m Making Strides To Cure My Diabetes

I am a Type I diabetic. This is not something that generally gets conveyed in conversations, so I have friends that are still surprised to learn this information. Type I is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. I was diagnosed with in November 2008 at the very juvenile age of 39.

Being diagnosed with diabetes changes your life. It did not take long for me to learn about the conditions/complications associated with the disease or about the various treatments available and research being conducted. There are some fascinating advances that have been made and much of it is funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). In fact, in a couple of weeks, yours truly will be handing over injection pens for an insulin pump, which will greatly reduce a bit of the PITA component of diabetes.

On Sunday, June 14th, I will be participating in a walk to raise funds for diabetes research. The walk is being co-sponsored by the Brookfield Lions Club and the JDRF. The Brookfield Lions Club also donated $200 to The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, the theatre where I serve as VP & Managing Director, so for me participating in this walk is paying it forward and sideways and every which way.

Please consider making a donation to support my participation in this walk. There is no amount too small. If you are going to see me in person before the walk, you can give the cash/check donation directly to me. Unfortunately, this walk does not take online payments through the Lions Club or JDRF. If you would like to donate online, though, you can click here and make a secure online donation via PayPal. I will then write a check for whatever amount you donate and will provide the Brookfield Lions Charities with your name (and info if you want to provide for tax purposes).

If your pockets are feeling a little light right now, no worries. I’m planning on doing the big JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in the fall and I’ll reach out to you then, too.

Because I will keep participating until they find a cure.

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DVR Alert: Broadway in Your Living Room!

PBS never disappoints when it comes to bringing the magic of live theatre to our living rooms. While my eldest daughter is too young to see Billy Elliot (due to the frequent use of the F-bomb), the taste of Broadway she got from watching Finding Billy Elliot sufficiently awed her.

On May 27th, PBS will broadcast In The Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams, another documentary about a Broadway juggernaut. This film will chronicle the journey of Lin-Manuel Miranda as he chased, and found, his dream: winning the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical. View the trailer here:



Also airing on PBS, last year's concert of Chess filmed at Royal Albert Hall in London, starring Josh Groban and Idina Menzel. The musical, by the dudes from ABBA and prlolific lyricist Tim Rice, didn't have much success after it transferred from London to the States. However, it had a cult following and spawned the Murray Head hit "One Night in Bangkok". PBS will air the concert on June 17th at 9:00pm.



Though it isn't going to air until 2010, PBS has also acquired Spike Lee's film adaptation of the rock musical Passing Strange. I was very disappointed that I missed Stew's run on Broadway when the show ended prematurely. Fortunately, though, someone in Hollywood had the good sense to capture it on film and I simply cannot wait to see it. Initial rumors were that Showtime was going to acquire the property but I, for one, am glad I don't have to re-up my subscription.



Hooray for free television broadcasting live theatre!

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Releasing My Inner Van Helsing

Today, it's all about gathering up those wooden stakes and slaying those Vampires!

Check out our nifty article on BroadwayWorld.com and our groovy feature in The Connecticut Post. And when you've finished doing that, come on down to TBTA and join in the fun!

The ass-kicking begins at 2:00pm at the The Brookfield Theatre for the Performing Arts, 182 Whisconier Road behind the Library. Tuition is $60 ($50 for TBTA Members).

For further information, visit the TBTA web site.

A Gaythering Storm

Once again, Funny or Die and Hollywood pair up to make a point... Brava!

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

P.S. I am so proud to live in the State of Connecticut!

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TBTA Offers Die Vampire, Die! Workshop with Susan Blackwell

proudly presents


featuring Susan Blackwell

Sunday, May 3rd from 2:00-5:00pm

From the [title of show] Vampire Hunting Guide:
“a vampire is defined as any person, thought or feeling that stands between you and your creative self-expression.”


This writing/performing workshop, led by [title of show] star Susan Blackwell, invites participants to identify and nurture the seedlings of ideas through the writing process and into performance.

THEMES OF THE DIE VAMPIRE, DIE! WORKSHOP INCLUDE:
Creative Writing * Performance * Identifying and taking creative risks

Contributing to a collaborative process * Tapping into brave artistic freedom
Developing clear self-expression * Establishing a creative safe space

The Brookfield Theatre

for the Arts
182 Whisconier Road (Route 25 behind the library), Brookfield CT
For further info: 203-775-0023 or www.brookfieldtheatre.org

Fee: $60.00 per person ($50.00 for TBTA Members), includes all supplies

Space is limited! Click here to register now!
Fee and contact info must be received by Thursday, April 30th.

Registrations processed on first come, first served basis.

Mail Payment and Contact Info to:

TBTA [tos] Workshop, P.O. Box 528, Brookfield CT 06804

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Now Playing or Coming Soon to a Theatre Near... Me!

As regular readers know, most of this blog is spent posting about other people’s projects or shows that I’m not directly involved with. I’m okay with that. I feel that I have a fairly valuable and informed opinion when it comes to such things.

However, I would be doing myself a great disservice if I didn’t highlight some of my own projects, one of which is currently underway at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts. At the moment, I am producing the critically acclaimed production of Tea At Five starring the incomparable Noel Desiato. This play, about legendary stage and screen actress Katharine Hepburn, has been touted a “theatrical phenomenon” in Northwest Connecticut.

The show’s playwright, Matthew Lombardo, attended the opening performance of this production, which premiered in January 2008 at TheatreWorks New Milford, and said: “This was the first presentation of the play I have seen outside of the original production [featuring Kate Mulgrew] and national tour. To witness Noel’s fearless interpretation and loyal dedication to the text was perhaps one of the greatest gifts I have received during my entire history with this play.”

If you haven’t seen this production and you have some availability in your calendar (only one more weekend to go!), I implore you to come and see this show. This performance is too important to miss.


Meanwhile, in the background, I am preparing for my next directing project, one of Connecticut’s first regional productions of the Broadway hit Doubt at TheatreWorks New Milford. My recent directing projects have been limited to musicals, for which I also have a deep devotion, but I am infinitely pleased to be helming a non-musical for a change of pace. And what a piece to sink my teeth into! This play, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2005 and the Tony Award for Best Play, is a gripping story of suspicion, morality and certainty (or doubt) set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964. I am certainly looking forward to spending time with both the text of this play and the talented actors that this production will most likely attract.



And in October it’s back to The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, my home theatre, to direct the wildly popular and bloody rock musical Little Shop of Horrors. Back in my college days I portrayed Audrey, the ditzy blonde with the squeaky speaking voice, and fifteen years later it continues to be my fondest performance memory (yup, that's me in the pic above). I am definitely thrilled at the prospect of bringing that mean green mother from outer space to our quiet little corner of the world. It should be a grand way to end the season.

So, as you can see, I have a full plate for 2009 and, while I know your entertainment dollar is spent more judiciously these days, I hope that you consider stopping by to support both my creative endeavors and the fabulous theatres that are so graciously hosting them.

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