^{by Jan Davisson}

Goodspeed Opera House

Goodspeed Musicals was built as an opera house in 1876. This doll house gem is not only beautiful to look at but provided an evening of amazing entertainment with the production of Oliver. Being so close to New York during the summer months, I take the opportunity to visit other theaters either in Florida or while traveling. In a recent trip to Hartford, Connecticut, I finally had a chance to attend the Goodspeed Opera House in Haddam.

The cast of Oliver at the Connecticut Good Speed Opera House built in 1856. If you’re ever in the Hartford area, take a short drive to East Haddam to enjoy one of the venerable theatre’s outstanding shows.

The professional cast were brilliant. The story, based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist, has more full cast production numbers than most musicals. Plus, it is loaded with songs that have been around since its opening on the London Stage in 1960. Who Will Buy This Beautiful Morning, As Long As He Needs Me, Consider Yourself One of the Family and Where is Love…are only a few of the them. Each song is special, but the scene stealer was Donald Corren as Fagin, the London underground leader of a bunch of pick-pocketing kids. His delightfully wicked rendition of On Reviewing the Situation  brought the audience to their feet. Note of interest, the female lead, Nancy, portrayed by EJ Zimmerman, had appeared in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s production of South Pacific. Her touching ballad, As Long as He Needs Me, was truly beautiful. Hope that she comes back to the Maltz…she’s quite a talent.

All and all, our evening in the charming historical town of Haddam was a total success. The restaurants are decorated with lights and outdoor dining and offer tempting seafood. It’s just the perfect tiny New England town on the Connecticut River. In case you’re planning a trip of “leaf peeking” in New England, the next show is The Drowsy Chaperone, September 21-November 25.

Goodspeed Musicals, 6 Main St. Haddan, Ct. (860) 873-8668, www.goodspeed.org

Palm Beach Dramaworks

After a stunning summer production of Woody Guthries
American Song, William Hayes, producing artistic director for the Palm Beach Dramaworks gets set for a spectacular 2018-19 season. Palm Beach Dramaworks is the only theater around that features classics, new works and those wonderful old plays that we’ve almost forgotten. This year the season kicks off with Paula Vogel’s Indecent (Oct. 19-Nov. 11), a play with music that explores the journey of Sholem Asch’s controversial drama God of Vengeance. When Asch’s 1907 play, opened on Broadway in 1923 it caused such a scandal and created such a ruckus that the entire company was hauled into court on an indecency charge. Playwright  Paula Vogel’s  Indecent, follows the  tumultuous history of the play.

Get ready for another world premiere as the second production presents, House on Fire (Dec. 7-30). Written by Lyle Kessler, House on Fire (Dec. 7-30) is about a father and his two sons and how their lives were forever changed when two strangers appear.

A folk musical follows, The Spitfire Grill (Feb. 1-24, 2019. Both book and music were written by James Valco with book and lyrics by Fred Alley. The Spitfire Grill is based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff. It also played Off Broadway in 2001. The show is a quirky story of a parolee who wants a new life so he takes off for Gilead, Wisconsin to work at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill

The award-winning script by August Wilson’s Fences (March 29-April 21, 2019) will be a sellout. The drama won all kinds of Oscar Awards. The story line follows a former Negro League Baseball star who works for the sanitation department to support his family. It takes place in Pittsburg in the 1950s.

The season ends with the delightful John Guare’s The House of Blue Leaves (May 17-June 2, 2019). It’s one of those unpredictable stories that will tickle your funny bone.

Check out www.palmbeachdramaworks.org to find out all the interesting workshops they hold throughout the year. Many programs feature the playwright and offer a chance to ask questions on what goes on behind the scenes. Tickets are now on sale for subscriptions and single performance tickets.

Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach FL 33401 Tickets: 561–514–4042 Ext. 2; www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

Kravis on Broadway

Kravis on Broadway Series announced that Betty Buckley of Cats fame (Memories) will star in its upcoming production of Hello Dolly (Dec. 11-16) as the irrepressible Dolly Levi, matchmaker extraordinaire. Consider this a holiday gift from the Kravis.

Can’t wait for the upcoming season of Kravis on Broadway. Just read the announcement that Betty Buckley has been cast as Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly (December 11-16). Winner of four Tony’s for Best Revival. This is the second of the Kravis on Broadway series for 2018. The season opens with Rock of Ages, the old Hollywood story line. Girl from small mid-western town goes to Hollywood to become a rock star. Meets guy. Falls in love. Takes you through the difficult situation of two people having the same goals. The interesting part is that it’s all centered around rock music.

MNM Theatre Company

MNM Productions at the Rinker Theater in the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts presents life in the fifties with Grease (Nov. 16-Dec. 2). That jack of all trades performer, Jim Ballad, is featured as Vince Fontaine, the fifties’ heart throb who sings “Teen Angel.” From drama to comedy, Ballad is always a joy to watch. Credit: Jacek Photo

The Kravis Center’s Rinker Playhouse is the new home for MNM Productions, which has several exciting shows coming up.                                                                                                                The performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a matinee at 1:30 on Sunday. The next show is a Tribute to Frank Sinatra opening September 28-October. The 1971 smash hit, Grease,  about life in the fifties, opens on November 16-December 2. Tickets are now on sale for all show. For both these shows, you can bring out your saddle shoes and bobby socks for an evening of songs guaranteed to bring back lots of memories for some of us. The show features one of my favorites, Jim Ballad, as Vince Fontaine. Remember Frankie Avalon singing “Teen Angel”? Should be lots of fun. Tickets for both Kravis on Broadway and MNM Productions are available at Kravis box office.

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach Tickets (561) 832-7469 or 800-572-8471; www.kravis.org

Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Executive Producing/Artistic Director Andrew Kato has come up with a fantastic season at The Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Opening with the poignant play, Steel Magnolias (Oct. 28–Nov. 11), individual show tickets for the exciting 2018/19 season are now on sale.

One look at the upcoming 2018/19 season at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and you know that you better get your tickets soon. The single performance tickets are now on sale and going fast. The season opens with Steel Magnolias October 28-November 11. The holiday show, November 27-December 16, good for all ages, is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Mamma Mia kicks off the 2019 hits on January 15-February 10. Featuring the music of Abba from the seventies, including Dancing Queen, it’s a winner. With the latest Mamma Mia sequel recently opening at the movies, these tickets will be in high demand. A Doll’s House Part 2 plays February 24-March 10, 2019. The season wraps up with the classic West Side Story. The show is as current today as it was back in 1961 when it opened on Broadway. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, it’s one of Broadways all time best shows.

Also on sale are single tickets for limited engagements such as Christmas Cheer; We’ve Only Just Begun, the Carpenter’s Remembered; It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me, The Music of Billy Joel. This is just a few of the upcoming show.

Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter. Tickets: (561) 575-2223; www.jupitertheatre.org

Broward Stage Door

Broward Stage Door is currently presenting La Cage aux Folles now through Sept. 23. It stars Jamie Parnell as Georges and Larry Buzzo as Albin/Zaza.

Just in time for the opening of La Cage aux Folles (Aug. 31-Sept. 23) is the exciting opening of a new home for Broward’s Stage Door Theater, 3800 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill. Remember the hilarious movie, The Birdcage with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane? This is the story with actors Jamie Parnell in the Robin Williams role of Georges and Larry Buzzo as Albin/ Zaza, the female impersonator portrayed by Nathan Lane. Larry Buzzo recently finished Victor/ Victoria at the Stage Door. Parnell is making his debut at the theater. After looking at his credits, he must have a powerful voice as his credits include Lancelot in Camelot and Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat.

Broward Stage Door Theater, 3800 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill; Box office 954-344-7765