By Tom Nissley
Three events that you should know about this month:
Number One: “The Shawshank Redemption” at Town Players of New Canaan.
Number Two: “The SpongeBob Musical” at Curtain Call in Stamford.
Number Three: “WAITRESS the Musical” at ACT of CT in Ridgefield.
Numbers Four and Five. Looking ahead – “King Lear” at Shakespeare on the Green (Curtain Call) in Stamford. And “The Little Mermaid” at the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. Both coming in July.
“The Shawshank Redemption” is a heavy-duty and somber adult play about the brutal treatment of a Billy Budd-like prisoner in the Shawshank Penitentiary. It is based on a novella by Stephen King: “Rita Haworth and Shawshank Redemption.” The play features thirteen male actors, including David Michael Tate and Tyler C. Small (both easy to love), and Tom Cleary as the Warden (so easy to hate). Beautifully directed by Deborah Burke, “Shawshank Redemption” runs for several hours, sometimes feels intense, and simply should not be missed by any serious person who loves good theatre. It will run through June 22, and tickets can be ordered at TPNC.ORG.
“The SpongeBob Musical,” on the other hand, is a delightful romp in another realm. It also has some shady characters, but most – or maybe all – of its energy is dedicated to helping SpongeBob [ kudos to the amazing Zach Louizos ] break through the sad thought that he’s just a useless sponge. Along the way he pledges friendship forever to a friend who disappoints him by drifting off with some attractive jelly fish. But the friend returns in time to help SpongeBob save the day.
Directed by Stephen Emerick. Musical direction by George S, Croom. Choreography by Rachel Rosado. This show is FULL of energy, and I would say it’s guaranteed to leave you with good feelings. Kids will love it. Big people will too. “The SpongeBob Musical” opened on June 6 and will run until June 28! You can get tickets at curtaincallinc.com or by calling 203-461-6358.
“WAITRESS the Musical” has been playing to full audiences since it opened on May 29 and will continue through Sunday, June 22. It’s a strange but fun story of Joe’s Pie Diner that features twenty-some kinds of pies and three particular waitresses who work there, each of whom has a boyfriend more or less on the side. The chief pie baker (Abigail Sparrow) has a bad boy of a husband (Cody Jenkins) who abuses her but she continues to win prizes – eventually in the national bakeoff. All of them have good experiences with their extra boyfriends and again, the unbridled energy is sure to satisfy. I recommend it highly. Special notice to David Sitler and John Alexander Jeffords!
Tickets may still be available at actofct.org, or by phone: 475-215-5497.
Looking Ahead:
Plan now to see “King Lear” at Curtain Call’s Shakespeare on the Green, playing July 10-20. Tickets at 203-461-6358 or curtaincallinc.com.
And the Summer Theatre of New Canaan’s production of “The Little Mermaid” at the New Canaan High School, also in July. Call 203-966-4634 for tickets and information.
That’s it for now. Be happy and enjoy these shows.
