TRUMAN CAPOTE'S "A CHRISTMAS MEMORY" IS A HOLIDAY READING

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                                         THE THOMAS DARLING HOUSE

Take an historic and charming Colonial homestead, add a traditional sentimental tale of the holidays, top if off with tasty sweets and you have a triple-decker family treat. Thanks to the creativity of actress and director Joanna Keylock, you have the delightful opportunity to start the happy month of December off with sparkle and spirit.

On Saturday, December 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m., you're invited to attend the staged reading of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory," at the Thomas Darling House, 1907 Litchfield Turnpike, Woodbridge. The house, built in 1772, which is on the National Register of Historic Places,  includes a beautifully restored building, barns, carriage shed, chicken coop, pig house and privy, and is an ideal location for this country tale. Written more than five decades ago, this short story, which is largely autobiographical, tells of a seven-year old boy named Buddy and his relationship with an elderly woman, Sook, his best friend and a distant cousin, and the joy they share giving gifts during the holiday season.

All year long they save their pennies, selling blackberries and flowers and doing odd chores, so they can bake thirty fruitcakes, laced with whiskey and stuffed with pecans, for everyone they know and like and even for some they don't personally know but still like, such as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Since Buddy lives  in a home where he is unloved, he searches out affection from Cousin Sook and the two develop a special and close relationship that lasts until her death.  Their Christmases together mark the best time of the year.

For tickets ($15 adults, $10 children),  email jojokeylock@yahoo.com or call 203-298-0730.  The reading will be followed by holiday treats, hot chocolate and spiced cider. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Woodbridge Historical Society and Sunday's performance will benefit the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Usher in the holidays with Truman Capote's memories of Christmases in the 1930's and the woman who brought him so much joy and love, especially when she announced "It's fruitcake weather."

"A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES" A HOLIDAY SPECIAL

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The nostalgia of holiday memories, whether it's the baking of raisin-faced gingerbread men or the hanging of popcorn garlands on the tree, are precious ones.  Ivoryton Playhouse is sharing a special batch of childhood Christmas thoughts, courtesy of the National Theatre of the Deaf, until Sunday, December 16 when it offers "A Child's Christmas in Wales - Past and Presents."

Inspired by a favorite poem by Dylan Thomas, it centers on his boyhood by the "two-tongued sea" of Wales when he waited with his pal Jim to ambush the town's cats and pelt them with snowballs.  When the cats wisely failed to appear, the snowballs became the emergency ammunition when Mrs. Prothero's kitchen caught on fire.

His recollections included a bevy of crazy relatives, a tower of useless Christmas presents, lots of cold and snow, valiant postmen and making huge footprints in the snow with bright new boots so people would think a pair of hippos had invaded the town.  Combining signing with the spoken word, Dylan Thomas' childhood thoughts are brought to delightful life by Joey Caverly, Christina Cogswell, Taylor Curtis and Christina Stevens.

A Children's Choir of Julianna Alvord, Jenna Berloni, Olivia Harry, Bridget Harry, Carson Waldron and Mason Waldron sang and signed Christmas carols.  Tales about Virginia asking the New York Sun newspaper if there is a Santa Claus, the lovely story of a husband and wife selling their most precious possessions to buy the other a gift, a clumsy polar bear wanting to help Mrs. Claus decorate a tree, an original audience participation rendition of "On the First Day of Christmas" without a partridge or a pear tree, the story of an unhappy boy Bertram who wants Santa to bring his friends what they want for Christmas, a Chanukah song and a reenactment of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" also were featured.  Brian Jennings directed this happy homespun holiday happening conceived by Betty Beekman.
Performancetimes are Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances areThursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm.  Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors,$20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling thePlayhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting the website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org   ThePlayhouse is located at 103 Main Street, Ivoryton. The town is illuminated with thousands of colorful lights for your enjoyment.

Journey with Dylan Thomas and the National Theatre of the Deaf to a snow crusted world in Wales where anything is possible for a child if you just believe.

"DEAR ELIZABETH" A CHARMING CONVERSATION THROUGH LETTERS

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 MARY BETH FISHER AND JEFFERSON MAYS, PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS

Letter writing is a lost art in this age of instant messaging, emails and tweets.  Taking a pen to paper, heavy vanilla cream vellum, is a pleasure few indulge in with any consistency.  How delightful, therefore, to enjoy the exchanges that span three decades and several continents between two literary giants.

Sarah Ruel has penned a world premiere play "Dear Elizabeth" focusing on the lengthy correspondence of two close friends, the poets Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop, at New Haven's Yale Repertory Theatre until Saturday, December 22.  This lyrical waltz of words records the deep friendship that marks their relationship.

Both are gifted in their own right, he having won a Guggenheim Fellowship, National Book Award and both earning a Pulitzer and both serving as the equivalent of what would be called Poet Laureate today.  Their paths crossed  often, but more likely they were at opposite sides of the globe, he in Italy, she in Brazil, he in Maine, she in Key West.  Mary Beth Fisher's Elizabeth and Jefferson Mays' Robert, who went by Cal, capture the spirit of these two literary legends.

No matter where they were, they wrote:  letters, postcards, manuscripts, telegrams, hundreds of which survive.  They met in 1947 and continued their correspondence until Lowell died of a heart attack in 1977.  Each considered the other a "best friend." At one point, Lowell almost asked her to marry him, but it was destined not to be.

Through their many problems, her asthma and alcoholism, his mental illness, they supported each other, sharing thoughts to bolster and boost spirits.  Called a "poet's poet," it was not unusual for each to mail the other newly completed works for comments and criticism.  Les Waters directs this gentle exchange with an understanding hand.

For tickets ($20-96), call the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven at 203-432-1234 or online at www.yalerep.org. Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees Saturday at 2 p.m.

Calling upon the elements of nature, from water to planets to the moon, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell promise each other a starry eternity.

"MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET" WORTH BILLIONS

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                                          Photo by Jeremy Daniel   

Imagine one stage and four mega star performers rocking down the house.  The year is 1956 and the gyrating guys are Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.  As a jam session goes, this one was smokin' hot and unforgettable.  December 4, 1956 lives on in the smash musical hit "Million Dollar Quartet" as it recreates that one and only legendary day in the history of rock 'n roll.

You can be there, front and center, at the Memphis, Tennessee recording studios of Sun Records where this quartet of musical icons set the red hot rafters ringing when "Million Dollar Quartet" lights up the stage of the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford from Tuesday, January 8 to Sunday, January 13.

Think of it as a personal playlist of your favorite hits as these great tunes come tumbling out.  Listen to "Great Balls of Fire," "Sixteen Tons," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog," "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "Memories Are Made of This," "Long Tall Sally" and "See You Later, Alligator."

Hips will swivel, guitar strings will be set aflame and history will be recorded when an impromptu jam session became an instant legend making event.  Carl Perkins (CT native James Barry) had come to Sun Records that day with his brothers and Sam Phillips, (Vince Nappo) the owner of Sun, added Jerry Lee Lewis, (Benjamin Goddard) a recent acquisition, to the mix as pianist.  When Elvis Presley (Billy Woodward) dropped by with his girlfriend, he added his voice to the cauldron and it was the final arrival of Johnny Cash (David Elkins) that made the recipe complete.

These guys, all at different stages of music fame, sat down and sang like a group of old friends, without rehearsals or formal plans, and Cowboy Jack Clement, the engineer, was smart enough to record it.

Country music, rockabilly and rock 'n roll merge and marry as these fellows sing just for the pure pleasure of the sound. For Sam Phillips, called "the Father of Rock 'n Roll," these four men were like his four sons and this show reveals a lot about their relationship, where they came from and where they are going.  It is a sensational staged recreation of the actual event, composed by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott.

For tickets ($20-65), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at www.bushnell.org.  Performances are Tuesday - Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Prepare to dance right out of your seat as these four wild men of music move, groove and shake, rattle and roll.  Memories are made of this.

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS FOUR FANTASY WORLDS

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Can you imagine one great show that has the ability to take you under the seas, around a race track with lightning speed, into the forest with a bevy of beautiful fairies and into a bedroom where toys explode out of a chest?  Think Disney.  Think fabulous.  For more than seven decades, the Ice Capades have provided championship skaters in dazzling costumes and incredible productions.  This time around is no exception when "Disney on Ice:  Worlds of Fantasy" skates onto the floor of the Webster Bank Arena from Wednesday, January 2 to Sunday, January 6, followed by the XL Center in Hartford from Wednesday, January 9 to Sunday, January 13.

The tour guides for this magical visit to a quartet of fantasy worlds are none other than Mickey and Minnie Mouse who tool onto the ice in a spiffy red roadster.  When their vehicle unexpectedly breaks down, and Donald Duck and Goofy admit the task is too mechanically hard, Minnie and Mickey call upon their good friends from "Cars" to come to their rescue.  Lightning McQueen and his trusty pal Mater soon have the pair on the road to adventure.

Children and their parents will marvel at these life-sized autos that each took 20,000 man hours to build and have animatronic features that allow them to have blinking headlights, moving mouths and hydraulic lifts so they can literally dance to the musical beat.

Mickey and Minnie are soon zooming off across the ice, prepared to encounter the undersea world of our favorite mermaid, Ariel, the sweetest sugar-coated little mermaid to ever float in the sea.  With her underwater pals Flounder the fish and Scuttle the seagull, you'll see Ariel yearning to be human and willing to sacrifice everything she knows and loves to win the hand of Prince Eric in the world above the waves.

Next we exchange the world of colorful coral and fascinating fish for the magical land of fairies in the miniature domain of Pixie Hollow where Tinker Bell lives, near her good friend Peter Pan.  Tinker Bell is born from the first laugh of a baby and her entire realm is miniature in size.  Giant inflatable trees, humungous butterflies and large flowers in bloom help create the illusion of spring emerging right before your amazed eyes.

Each fairy, from Iridessa to Silvermist to Rosetta, will have a unique style of dancing on ice and a winged costume especially her own, from velvet roses to shimmering leaves of satin.

The final fantasy world that Mickey and Minnie visit begins in Andy's bedroom as he gets ready to leave for college.  He leaves behind all his favorite toys, including Buzz Lightyear the astronaut, Woody the cowboy, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and Hamm the piggy bank.  With Andy leaving, all his playthings fear he will forget them, especially when they find themselves relocated to the Sunnyside Daycare Center.  Their toy tumbles and hijinks will delight as they showcase their talents and versatility for all to admire as they plan their escape from the daycare crew's clutches.

According to Disney producer Kenneth Feld, " 'Worlds of Fantasy' offers the perfect combination  of elements for fans of 'Disney on Ice.' From the contemporary feel of 'Cars' and 'Toy Story3' to the timeless quality of 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Tinker Bell,' audiences will see four completely different Disney worlds brought to life.  All of this provides a value that is truly unparalled in the world of live family entertainment.  More than ever before, there's something for everyone."

For tickets ($12 kids 2-12 Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7 p.m. Bridgeport and Thursday 7 p.m. show in Hartford; Bridgeport $25,$30, VIP $55 and Rinkside $75; Hartford $22, $28, VIP $56 and Front Row $78), call 1-800-745-3000 or online at disneyonice.com or ticketmaster.com.  Performances are Wednesday, January 2-Friday, January 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, January 5 at 11 a.m, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, January 6 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. in Bridgeport. In Hartford, the performances are Wednesday, January 9-Friday, January 11 at 7 p.m., Saturday, January 12 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, January 13 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Let your imagination soar as four of your favorite Disney stories show their stunning stuff on skates in spectacular style.

Don't Miss These Connecticut Arts Connections

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Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary has appointed Palace Theater Marketing and Public Relations Officer Sheree Marcucci, right, as the city's representative on the Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Board of Directors. During her three-year term, Marcucci will use her decades of professional experience to assist in crafting the Bureau’s marketing efforts, in addition to representing and promoting Waterbury’s tourism interests.
“I am happy to accept this appointment to the Board of the Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau and be a part of developing new tourism marketing initiatives that will drive economic development in our community,” Marcucci said.

The Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau represents 63 town throughout Connecticut and is dedicated to promoting leisure and travel to the region in keeping with the values of the individual communities it serves. For more information, visit www.northwestct.com.
 Hartford Stage is collecting donations for the Sandy Hook United Way Fund to support the victims of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday. Donations for the Sandy Hook United Way Fund can be made in the lobby during all remaining performances of A Christmas Carol.
 
Over at the Westport Country Playhouse, Adam Clemens of Westport and Carole Hochman of Manhattan have been elected members of the board of trustees at Westport Country Playhouse.

Clemens is a managing director of Portfolio Advisors and serves as a voting member of the firm’s investment committee. He joined Portfolio Advisors in 2010 and is primarily engaged in sourcing, evaluating, and recommending investment opportunities in private equity co-investments. Previously, he was co-founder and president of New York Life Capital Partners (NYLCAP), the captive manager of alternative assets for New York Life Insurance Company and third-party investors, the head of private equity and leveraged finance with New York Life’s Private Finance Group,and a vice president with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company in the private placement department. Clemens has a BS degree from Georgetown University, an MBA degree from Columbia University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Hochman is chairman and chief creative officer of The Carole Hochman Design Group, headquartered in New York City. A designer and industry pioneer, Hochman has been designing intimate apparel for more than 30 years. She began her lingerie career by accident. While studying fashion design at Drexel University, she landed a job at Bergdorf Goodman in a department she’d given very little thought to before---lingerie. She learned the business and began working for a small New York-based intimate apparel design firm, now named Carole Hochman Designs. Hochman Design Group also owns OnGossamer and the licenses to several lingerie and sleepwear collections, including Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Jockey, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, and Nicole Miller.

Casting Complete for Yale Rep's Stones in His Pockets

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Fred Arsenault, last seen at Yale Rep earlier this season in Marie Antoinette, and Tony Award nominee Euan Morton complete the cast of Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones at Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St., New Haven, Jan. 25-Feb.16. Opening Night is Thursday, Jan. 31. 

In  Stones in His Pockets, a rural Irish village is turned upside down by the arrival of an American film crew. When Charlie and Jake are cast as extras in the movie, they discover that Hollywood’s romanticized Ireland stands in stark contrast to the reality of their daily lives.

The production features scenic and projection design by Edward T. Morris, costumes by Nikki Delhomme, lighting by Solomon Weisbard, sound by Matt Otto, dramaturgy by Sarah Krasnow, vocal coaching by Stephen Gabis, and stage management by Nicole Marconi.

Winner of London’s Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Stones in His Pockets will be staged by OBIE Award-winning resident director Evan Yionoulis. Arsenault and Morton playing more than a dozen eccentric characters—from the film’s spoiled American starlet to the star-struck locals.

Tickets range from $20-$96: www.yalerep.org; 203-432-1234; Rep Box Office , 1120 Chapel St. Student, senior and group rates are also available.

GOOD • St. Louis Actors' Studio

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C.P. Taylor's 1981 play is tough to categorize.  Some consider it a play.  Others, a play with music, and some consider it a musical comedy, but the subject matter is anything but light.  It takes a look at how the Nazi party is able to gain a foothold in Germany, filtered through the eyes of one man -- John Halder.  It has also already closed its run, but served as an intriguing introduction to St. Louis Actors' Studio's sixth season entitled, "Kings, Queens and Pawns".  John Halder, by the way, is a pawn…

Larry Dell (Maurice), Rachel Fenton (Anne),Troy Turnipseed (Bouller/Eichmann), David Wassilak (Major),Paul Cooper (Doctor), Ben Ritchie (Hitler),B. Weller (John Halder), Missy Miller (Sister),April Strelinger (Helen) and Teresa Doggett (Mother).Photo credit: John Lamb

John Halder (B. Weller), is a mild-mannered professor of literature living with his wife and children in Frankfurt, Germany.  His wife Helen (April Strelinger) is so self-absorbed she can barely bring herself to do any housework, so John ends up doing most of the cooking and cleaning.  He also looks after his elderly Mother (Teresa Doggett) who is slipping further and further into dementia.  As trying as taking care of his mom can be, he does what he can, and on the surface seems like a "good" man -- he certainly thinks so anyway.  One of his only friends is Maurice (Larry Dell), a Jewish psychiatrist, who advises Halder about his "bad case of the bands".  See, Halder has this habit of setting the more influential moments in his life to music -- his own personal soundtrack, resulting in moments where people in his head literally burst into song.  It's deep that bizarreness.  It distracted me to no end when I saw it, but later it struck me as kind of brilliant.  While snapping you out of the action, it brings the major issues home.  Very Brechtian.  To me anyway.  Although, like I've expressed before, thinking too much about Brecht makes my head hurt...  Halder says at one point, "I do everything other people do - but I don't feel it's real."  This oddity seems to buffer the events in his life -- makes them unreal, and all the more unsettling.

When the Socialist party shows an interest in one of his novels about euthanasia (cough, cough, MOTHER, cough), he finds himself with a growing group of friends and a few rungs higher on the social ladder.  He also eventually leaves his wife for Anne (Rachel Fenton), a young student who is smitten with him.  Halder's steadily growing involvement with the Nazi party is infuriating and frustrating to Maurice, who is scared for his own life.  In the wave gaining momentum in 1930's Germany, being Jewish is not a good thing to be, but Halder blindly rationalizes his actions, insisting that this is just a passing fad.  It's chilling to see this man's ascent into the ranks of the SS, taking the path of least resistance to become an integral part of the horrors that were underway, ending up at the gates of Auschwitz in the stunning last scene.

B. Weller (John Halder).Photo credit: John Lamb

B. Weller does a masterful job portraying the incredibly naive and weak but well-meaning Halder, managing to get the audience to identify with the real antihero of the story.  Teresa Doggett turns in a wrenching performance as Halder's mother, and April Strelinger and Rachel Fenton round out the rest of the women in Halder's life as his wife and mistress.  Larry Dell presents a powerful Maurice, the only voice of reason in the play, and David Wassilak makes for a quietly intimidating Nazi officer.  It can seem hard to maneuver on the small stage at the Gaslight Theatre, but under Milton Zoth's admirable direction, all 10 actors remain onstage throughout without seeming too crowded.  Creative contributions include scenic design and lighting design by Patrick Huber and Cristie Johnston, costumes by Felia Katherine Davenport, sound design by Robin Weatherall and choreography by Cindy Duggan.

GOOD
Written by C.P. TaylorDirected by Milton Zoth The Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle Ave.run complete | tickets: $20 - $25Performances Thursday to Saturday at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm
Cast:B. Weller (John Halder), Larry Dell (Maurice), David Wassilak (Major/Freddie), April Strelinger* (Helen), Teresa Doggett (Mother), Missy Miller (Sister/Elizabeth), Troy Turnipseed (Bouller/Eichmann), Rachel Fenton (Anne), Ben Ritchie (Bok/Hitler) and Paul Cooper (Doctor/Dispatcher).* Member Actors' Equity Association
Creative:Scenic and lighting design by Patrick Huber; costume design by Felia Katherine Davenport; sound design by Robin Weatherall; choreography by Cindy Duggan; scenic design by Cristie Johnston; stage manager, Amy J. Paige.
Keyboards, Tim Hearn.

STUPEFY! THE 90 MINUTE HARRY POTTER • Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre

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If you've never heard of Harry Potter, you may need to get out more.  Suffice it to say that the series of Harry Potter books and the resulting eight films have become a cultural icon.  So naturally, leave it to Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre, that's brought us hilariously condensed versions of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings, to now present Stupefy!  The 90 Minute Harry Potter.  That's right.  All eight films condensed and accelerated to a riotous pace.
Our crew of Harry Potter leads -- Harry Potter (Michael Pierce), the boy wizard, the studious Hermione Granger (Betsy Bowman), and our awkward gingy sidekick Ron Weasley (Jaysen Cryer) were marvelous.  And all of the additional cast of characters were there, too -- everyone from Hagrid (Andrew Kuhlman) and Snape (Rob Suozzi), to "He Who Must Not be Named" (John Foughty) and Bellatrix Lestrange (Sarah Porter).

Photo credit: Brian Peters

The more familiar you are with the series of books and/or films, the more jokes you'll be in on, but under the ingenious direction of Suki Peters, and all of the additional cultural references that are included, it's a guaranteed good time whether you're a Harry Potter fanatic or not.
The projections courtesy of Juan Schwartz are brilliant -- from the talking portraits to the retro video-game screen that announces a Horcrux has been destroyed.  Seriously -- you just have to see it for yourself.  Oh, and Harry's Patronus!  Hilarious!  (I've read all of the books and seen all of the films so...  yeah.  What?!)  Schwartz is also responsible for the scenic design with a neat backdrop of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and lots of room for the sizable cast to romp around in, on and under.  Jaime Zayas provides the lighting design, Jeffrey Roberts contributes great sound design and Katie Donovan provides the vast array of spot-on costumes.
Magic Smoking Monkey has built up quite a following, so get your tickets quickly -- the rest of the run is sold out, but there is a wait list you can get on for Friday and Saturday by emailing a request to boxoffice@stlshakespeare.org.  They've also added a performance for this Thursday the 13th at 7:30pm.
You'll have a lot of laughs, and a very good time.  It looks like the cast is having a great time, too.  Keep in mind that the 7:30pm performance is "family friendly." The late show is recommended for audiences 16 and over.  Go see it!

STUPEFY!  THE 90 MINUTE HARRY POTTER
Adapted by Jaysen Cryer Directed by Suki PetersEmerson Black Box Theatre at Lindenwood University, 2300 West ClaySt. Charles, MO 63301through December 15 | tickets: $10 - $15Performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm & 10:30pm *Added performance on Thursday the 13th at 7:30pm
Cast:Michael Pierce (Harry Potter), Betsy Bowman (Hermione Granger), Jaysen Cryer (Ron Weasley), and featuring Blaine Adams (George and others), Robert Ashton (Dumbledore and others), James Enstall (every freakin' dark arts professor, except Snape), Roger Erb (Draco and others), John Foughty (Voldemort and others), Max Knocke (Neville and others), Andrew Kuhlman (Hagrid and others), Carl Overly (Fred and others), Jamie Pitt (McGonagall and others), Sarah Porter (Bellatrix and others), Rob Suozzi (Snape and others) and Tasha Zebrowski (Ginny and others).  Morgan Hatfield & Jaiymz Hawkins - creature operators and others.
Creative:Projection & scenic design by Juan Schwartz; sound design by Jeffrey Roberts; costume design by Katie Donovan; lighting design by Jaime Zayas; projection operator, Bob Singleton; stage manager, Maggy Bort.

TALLEY'S FOLLY • The New Jewish Theatre

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Talley's Folly, written in 1979 by Lanford Wilson, takes a look at the reunion of an unlikely couple -- a Jewish accountant and a small town girl from Lebanon, Missouri.
It's 1944, and Matt Friedman (Shaun Sheley) has travelled from St. Louis to Lebanon, MO to seek out Sally Talley (Meghan Maguire) -- a woman with whom he had had a little Summertime dalliance with a year before.  Matt charmingly begins the play, addressing the audience and setting the stage for us.  The story itself is relatively simple.  In the process of reconnecting with each other and overcoming the prejudices of the 40's, and their own vulnerable isolation, we learn about Matt and his determination to see Sally again along with his family's painful past.  An initially chilly Sally also eventually reveals her past as the intended wife in a financially honorable match, and how that unfortunately went down in flames.  They also talk about the boathouse, where all of the action takes place and where they first  met (beautiful scenic design provided by Jason Coale and evocatively shifting lights courtesy of Nathan Schroeder).

Meghan Maguire (Sally)and Shaun Sheley (Matt).Photo credit: John Lamb

This is a poignant little "I'll show you my insides if you show me yours" kind of one-act, and under Deanna Jent's smooth direction, the leads, Sheley and Maguire, bear genuinely real emotions during this 93 minute or so two-hander.  Both are captivating throughout.  In addition to Coale's scenic design and Schroeder's lighting design, the costumes by Michele Friedman Siler and sound by Robin Weatherall do their part in contributing enriching elements to the play.
While this play assumes a leisurely pace, you're easily invited to participate as a fly on the wall, witnessing a relatively brief but emotionally revealing encounter that sheds rewarding moments.  Only one more weekend!

TALLEY'S FOLLY
Written by Lanford WilsonDirected by Deanna JentMarvin & Harlene Wool Studio, 2 Millstone Campus Drive Creve Coeurthrough December 23 | tickets: $35.50 - $39.50Performances Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm & 7:30pm

Shaun Sheley (Matt) and Meghan Maguire (Sally).Photo credit: John Lamb

Cast:Meghan Maguire (Sally) and Shaun Sheley* (Matt)* Member Actors' Equity Association
Creative:Scenic design by Jason Coale; lighting design by Nathan Schroeder; costume design by Michele Friedman Siler; sound design by Robin Weatherall; dialect coach; Richard Lewis; stage manager, Eric Nathan Brady.

Get A Christmas Clue at the Twain House

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Is Becky Thatcher the murderer?

'Get a Christmas Clue Tours' will be offered in a special, one-night-only, reservations-only edition at The Mark Twain House & Museum Sunday, Dec. 16 from 6 to 10 pm using the layout of the Twain house -- and some of the author's favorite literary characters -- as part of the game. 

Who killed that varmint Pap Finn and why did they wait 'til Christmas to do it? Was it Becky Thatcher with a stake of holly in the Conservatory? The Prince (or was it the Pauper?) with the slay-bells in the library? 

Play our live-action version of the classic game CLUE in an hourlong tour featuring the famed comedy troupe SEA TEA IMPROV as Twain's beloved characters/suspects. 'Get a Christmas Clue Tours' provide all the murder, mayhem and merriment associated with what Twain called "that infernal Christmas suicide." 

NOTE: Our 'Get a Clue' tours will be featured on an upcoming episode of the Travel Channel show Wackiest Tours!

Tours step off every 15 minutes. Reservations are required. Tickets are $20; museum members and Let's Go! card holders are $16; children 6 to 17 are $13. Call 860-280-3130.

Rob Ruggiero Named Producing Artistic Director at TheaterWorks

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Rob Ruggiero has been named TheaterWorks’ new Producing Artistic Director. He had served as interim artistic director since March and will assume the new role Jan. 1.
 A national search was conducted to replace former artistic Director Steve Campo. The committee  reviewed approximately 130 applications for the position, according to Michael G. Albano, president of TheaterWorks’ board.

'The committee came to the conclusion that no applicant could match Rob’s combination of directorial excellence on a national level, his management and fundraising skills and instincts, his knowledge of the community, and his exciting vision for the theater’s future,” Albano said. Ruggiero has been affiliated with TheaterWorks for more than 20 years and 40 productions, having served as associate artistic director prior to serving as interim.

He made his Broadway directorial debut with Looped, starring Valerie Harper in a Tony nominated performance (the tour comes to The Bushnell next month) . Ruggiero also directed High, starring Kathleen Turner, which had its world premiere at TheaterWorks prior to opening on Broadway.

He also has directed numerous works at Goodspeed. He also the recipient of four Connecticut Critic’s Circle Awards. His work has been seen at major regional theaters throughout the country. 

"I am thrilled by this opportunity,” Ruggiero said. “ It's a very emotional and personal thing for me to be assuming the role of producing artistic director. I have been associated with TheaterWorks in some capacity for nearly 20 years, and being at the helm as we come out of this very challenging time is particularly meaningful. I love this theater, I believe in what we do and in our future. I am extremely touched by the faith and support shown to me by the Board of Directors, this wonderfully dedicated staff and the Hartford community during this interim period. I look forward to serving our loyal audience and shepherding the theater in new and positive directions as we embrace the next chapter at TheaterWorks."

One of his first tasks will be to conduct a search for a development director, a position new to the theater.

HSO Celebrates 50 Years of America's Musicals at Goodspeed

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Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Goodspeed Musicals will join to celebrate the music and the magic of Goodspeed’s golden anniversary in a spectacular concert event on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 pm. at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford. 

For 50 years, Goodspeed has been recognized around the world as the “home of the American musical”. This special collaboration will feature selections from Goodspeed originals that moved to Broadway including Annie and Man of La Mancha, plus audience favorites from dozens of shows like Brigadoon, Finian’s Rainbow and No, No Nanette.

James Snyder

Led by guest conductor Michael O’Flahertywho is now in his 21st year as Resident Music Director for Goodspeed Musicals, the program will feature the talents of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances by special guests Sarah Uriarte Berry, Quentin Earl Darrington, and James Snyder, plus aspiring professional performers from The Hartt School Musical Theatre Department’s Class of 2013.
With a set list that comprises musical theatre’s greatest hits, the evening will include songs from 42nd Street; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; A Little Night Music; Annie Get Your Gun; Anything Goes; Babes In Arms; Big River; Carousel; Gentleman Prefer Blondes; Kiss Me, Kate; Lady, Be Good!; Mame; On The Town; On the Twentieth Century; Promises, Promises; Red Hot & Blue; The Fantasticks and more.  Berry starred as Magnolia in Goodspeed’s Show Boat and her Broadway and national tour credits include Beauty and the Beast; Carousel; Cinderella; End of the Rainbow; Les Misérables; Next to Normal; Sunset Boulevard; Taboo; The Boys from Syracuse; The Light in the Piazza; and Tenderloin.
Darrington was Lucas in Goodspeed’s production of Abyssinia and has appeared in Broadway productions and national tours of Memphis; Ragtime; The Color Purple; and The Lion King.
Snyder starred as Billy Bigelow in Goodspeed’s Carousel and led the cast of Crybaby on Broadway. His additional New York and national stage credits include Broadway: Three Generations; Fanny; Happy Days; Mama!; Oedipus the King; Rock of Ages; Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes; and The Fantasticks. 
“We are thrilled to kick off Goodspeed’s year-long celebration of our 50^thanniversary with this one-of-a-kind concert event,” said Michael Price, executive director of Goodspeed Musicals. “It is a rare occasion when two of Connecticut’s cultural treasures join together but when they do, the result is a magical collaboration that will be remembered for many years to come.” 
HSO President and CEO Carrie Hammond says, “It truly is a dream for us to collaborate with Goodspeed's incredible talents. Goodspeed has been a driving force behind the development and excellence of American Musical Theatre. This concert will bring together two of Connecticut's cultural treasures and ambassadors for the arts to this community.”
Tickets range in price from $20-$67.50. Student tickets are $10 and $25 tickets are available for patrons age 40 and under. To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact HSO ticket services at (860) 244-2999 or visit www.hartfordsymphony.org.

Don't Miss These Connecticut Arts Connections

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Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary has appointed Palace Theater Marketing and Public Relations Officer Sheree Marcucci, right, as the city's representative on the Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Board of Directors. During her three-year term, Marcucci will use her decades of professional experience to assist in crafting the Bureau’s marketing efforts, in addition to representing and promoting Waterbury’s tourism interests.
“I am happy to accept this appointment to the Board of the Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau and be a part of developing new tourism marketing initiatives that will drive economic development in our community,” Marcucci said.

The Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau represents 63 town throughout Connecticut and is dedicated to promoting leisure and travel to the region in keeping with the values of the individual communities it serves. For more information, visit www.northwestct.com.
 Hartford Stage is collecting donations for the Sandy Hook United Way Fund to support the victims of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday. Donations for the Sandy Hook United Way Fund can be made in the lobby during all remaining performances of A Christmas Carol.
 
Over at the Westport Country Playhouse, Adam Clemens of Westport and Carole Hochman of Manhattan have been elected members of the board of trustees at Westport Country Playhouse.

Clemens is a managing director of Portfolio Advisors and serves as a voting member of the firm’s investment committee. He joined Portfolio Advisors in 2010 and is primarily engaged in sourcing, evaluating, and recommending investment opportunities in private equity co-investments. Previously, he was co-founder and president of New York Life Capital Partners (NYLCAP), the captive manager of alternative assets for New York Life Insurance Company and third-party investors, the head of private equity and leveraged finance with New York Life’s Private Finance Group,and a vice president with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company in the private placement department. Clemens has a BS degree from Georgetown University, an MBA degree from Columbia University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Hochman is chairman and chief creative officer of The Carole Hochman Design Group, headquartered in New York City. A designer and industry pioneer, Hochman has been designing intimate apparel for more than 30 years. She began her lingerie career by accident. While studying fashion design at Drexel University, she landed a job at Bergdorf Goodman in a department she’d given very little thought to before---lingerie. She learned the business and began working for a small New York-based intimate apparel design firm, now named Carole Hochman Designs. Hochman Design Group also owns OnGossamer and the licenses to several lingerie and sleepwear collections, including Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Jockey, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, and Nicole Miller.

Casting Complete for Yale Rep's Stones in His Pockets

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Fred Arsenault, last seen at Yale Rep earlier this season in Marie Antoinette, and Tony Award nominee Euan Morton complete the cast of Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones at Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St., New Haven, Jan. 25-Feb.16. Opening Night is Thursday, Jan. 31. 

In  Stones in His Pockets, a rural Irish village is turned upside down by the arrival of an American film crew. When Charlie and Jake are cast as extras in the movie, they discover that Hollywood’s romanticized Ireland stands in stark contrast to the reality of their daily lives.

The production features scenic and projection design by Edward T. Morris, costumes by Nikki Delhomme, lighting by Solomon Weisbard, sound by Matt Otto, dramaturgy by Sarah Krasnow, vocal coaching by Stephen Gabis, and stage management by Nicole Marconi.

Winner of London’s Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Stones in His Pockets will be staged by OBIE Award-winning resident director Evan Yionoulis. Arsenault and Morton playing more than a dozen eccentric characters—from the film’s spoiled American starlet to the star-struck locals.

Tickets range from $20-$96: www.yalerep.org; 203-432-1234; Rep Box Office , 1120 Chapel St. Student, senior and group rates are also available.