Connecticut Theater Reviews

BWW Reviews: AS YOU LIKE IT in Rowayton

Ingenious spirit beefs up Boy meets Girl classic. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE SHOW-OFF in Westport Will Have You Ribbing Your Neighbors

And you think you have in-law problems? (more...)

BWW Reviews: Playhouse on Park's CABARET is Delicious, Dark and 'Deja Vu'

Kander and Ebb classic a well-performed redux at Playhouse on Park. (more...)

BWW Reviews: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU at Little Theatre of Manchester Needs More Comic Fireworks

Kaufman and Hart classic is a slow burn at Little Theatre of Manchester (more...)

BWW Reviews: Farmington Valley Stage Co's DINNER WITH FRIENDS Dishes out Marital Distress

Margulies' intimate look at the hidden cracks in marriage foundation reveals a very solid play at Farmington Valley Stage Company. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Nutmeg State Residents Will Recognize and Sputter While Laughing at Themselves in I'M CONNECTICUT

Bristol native son Mike Reiss, who has enjoyed success as a comedy writer for 'The Simpsons' among other shows, turns his attention to the root of his humor, his home state in the riotously funny I'M CONNECTICUT getting a slick production at Ivoryton Playhouse. (more...)

BWW Reviews: TheaterWorks' BECOMING DR. RUTH Reveals Woman Behind the Microphone

Rupp's power-house performance captures Ruth so effectively and in such detail, that we're convinced the much shorter, German accented woman must really be on stage. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Pat Sajak Spins Something New: The Tale of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE AT UCONN

Pat Sajak puts his spinning talents to work here in Connecticut this month, but this time turning records instead of a 'Wheel of Fortune' as he takes on the role of Man in Chair for CT Repertory's Nutmeg Summer Series production of The Drowsy Chaperone. (more...)

BWW Reviews: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Flies its Over-The-Top Treatment into the Bushnell

The true story of a teenager who plays a game of Catch Me if You Can with the FBI is already larger than life, but this musical, making a tour stop at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, takes it way over the top by adding full-scale musical numbers, kick-line choreography and glitzy costumes. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BLACK TIE at Square One Theatre in Stratford

Tradition! Tradition! Tradition! (more...)

BWW Reviews: Delicious Staging of TWELFTH NIGHT at Hartford Stage Becomes Food of Love

Hartford Stage's presentation of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Darko Tresnjak, is so sumptuous, so pleasing to look at and so cleverly staged that it's possible our appetite for any other setting for William Shakespeare's classic might be slaked. (more...)

BWW Reviews: CLYBOURNE PARK at Long Wharf Theatre

The rest of the story. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Bipolar Disorder Drives the Beat in a NEXT TO NORMAL Household

Kitt's score and Brian Yorgey's book and lyrics combine for one of the deepest and moving shows to hit a Broadway stage. It's not the typical subject matter for a musical (the theater suggests that it is appropriate for children 16 and up), but you should take advantage of an opportunity to see this excellent rock musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. That sandwich-making scene in the opening act is terrific as directed by Janine Molinari with De Laurentis skillfully portraying the frenzied breakdown as Diana tries to cope. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Racism Takes Up Residence in CLYBOURNE PARK

Have you heard the one about a little white man thrown in a jail cell with a big black guy? If not, you can catch this, and a few other offensive jokes over at Long Wharf Theatre, where they pepper the dialogue in Bruce Norris' CLYBOURNE PARK, the Pulitzer-Prize winning play that explores themes of racism, gentrification and the way Americans relate to each other. (more...)

BWW Reviews: POTTED POTTER at The Bushnell is Mischief Mangled

POTTED POTTER has critic taking Dolores Umbridge. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Hole in the Wall Theatre's HOUSE OF A YES is a Definite Maybe

Dark and twisted, Hole in the Wall's HOUSE OF YES is Jackie O No! (more...)

BWW Reviews: IN A YEAR WITH 13 MOONS Puzzles Audience -- and Critic

As a critic, my first obligation is to be honest, so my readers will trust me when reporting on my experiences in the theater. After seeing the world premiere of In a Year With 13 Moons at Yale Rep, I have to tell you the truth. I didn't get it. (more...)

BWW Reviews: It's a Recording Session from Hell When the Star Gets LOOPED

A single line of dialogue is the catalyst for Matthew Lombardo's multi-layered and laugh-filled play LOOPED making a tour stop this week at The Bushnell in Hartford. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE DINING ROOM at Westport Country Playhouse

What's on the menu? Nostalgia and Change (more...)

BWW Reviews: Goodspeed Scores Good Fun with GOOD NEWS to Field 50th

It's a simple tale, mostly predictable, but somehow perfect for the Goodspeed stage. It's light, fun and lends itself to big dance numbers and colorful costumes (Tracy Christensen, design), though nothing just smacks of the '20s, interestingly. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Broad Brook Opera House's NEXT TO NORMAL Challenges and Rewards

A harrowing journey into complex issues of mental illness is worthy theatre. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Suffield Players' AS YOU LIKE IT is As We Like It

After some big budget busts, the Bard bounces back. (more...)

BWW Reviews: This HAIRSPRAY Sticks and is Quite a Do!

Director Paul Mullins has teased together a terrific cast (the ensemble at 45+ is huge) starring comedian Kevin Meaney as Edna Turnblad, Tina Fabrique (Ella) as Motormouth Mabel and Lena Mary Amato as Tracy, reprising this role for the fifth time. (more...)

BWW Reviews: HartBeat Ensemble's RIDING THE TURNPIKE Drags the Strip

The Berlin Turnpike is home to hot meals, Home Depot and hookers. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Music Theater of CT's COLE Provides Quick Sing Through of Some Tunes

COLE (more...)