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Monthly Archives: June 2012

On Sunday, June 24, 2012 at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, members of the Connecticut Critics Circle convened to honor excellence in Connecticut theatre including presenting Jacqueline Hubbard, Executive / Artistic Director of the Ivoryton Playhouse, with the 2012 Tom Killen Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Theater.
 
The Connecticut Critics Circle (CCC), founded in 1990, was instituted to honor the actors, directors, designers and others who help make professional Connecticut theatre so outstanding.  The CCC is a statewide organization of reviewers, feature writers, columnists, and broadcasters. Members of the Connecticut Critics Circle not only represent newspapers, but newspaper chains, magazines, radio programs, websites, and other media outlets, reaching millions throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York.

At the 2012 Connecticut Critics Circle Awards, Jacqueline Petroccia won an Outstanding Actress in a Musical award for her performance as Patsy Cline in Always….Patsy Cline. On behalf of Jacqueline Hubbard, Ivoryton Playhouse Managing Director, Krista May, accepted her Tom Killen Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre.

In her acceptance speech, Jacqui remarked, “Most of you know that the Ivoryton Playhouse has been around for over 100 years – more than 80 of them as a producing theatre. I have been lucky enough to spend the last 22 years there and have played an integral part in its many changes – from its renovation and refurbishing in 2000 to its reinvention in 2005 from a summer stock theatre to a year round professional producing house. I am so proud of what we have accomplished and I’m thrilled that the Connecticut Critics Circle has seen fit to recognize those accomplishments.

In this economic climate, most people thought we were mad, throwing all of our time and money, passion and energy into an old theatre that many people had forgotten even existed…but sometimes you’ve got to be a little crazy to succeed. We are still here. We celebrated our 100th birthday last year. Our audiences have been growing for the past 5 years. We have developed a strong subscription base, a fine internship program and a terrific relationship with our local community. We have a grand illustrious past but our focus is on the future and building future theatre-going audiences.”

Jacqui Hubbard is currently directing Hairspray – the Broadway Musical  that opens in Ivoryton on July 4th and runs through July 29th. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.

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 The Ivoryton Playhouse continues the tradition of Friday morning Children’s shows with some familiar stories and some new.

July 6th   Goowin’s Balloowins – Traditionally, clowns and magicians twist balloons into creatures for kids, but not Allynn Gooen. He uses balloons to turn the kids into creatures! Goowin’s Balloowins will capture the imagination of children and adults alike. Join us for an unforgettable show with a bang, a twist, and a POP!

July 13th  Casey Carle’s Bubblemania   Back by popular demand!   Casey Carle performs tricky undulations, manipulations and juggling with bubbles.  Children of all ages, parents and grandparents will all love this performance – this is a bubble show to keep the 5 to 75 year-olds mesmerized.

July 20th    Oddfellows Playhouse Travelling Circus Company presents – Ad Scensio :  Circus as you have never seen it before – beautifully performed by the young performers of Oddfellows Travelling Circus.

July 27th   –  The Pushcart Players present  Red Riding Hood & Other Stories
Here is an enchanting collection of classic tales – Little Red Riding Hood, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea and Hans Christian Anderson’s All’s  Well That Ends Well.  Watch the wonder and magic of live theatre cast its spell on very young viewers as they journey into the imaginary world of Little Red Riding Hood and other Once Upon A Time favorites.

August 10th  –  Hartford Children’s Theatre: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.
Adapted by Bruce Mason.  Book by Judy Blume
Oh, brother! Sibling mischief and best pal escapades are the problems Peter Hatcher faces in his attempts to deal with his impossible little brother, Fudge. Based on the popular title by perennial favorite Judy Blume, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a humorous look at family life and the troubles that can only be caused by a younger sibling.

August 17th  –  Ivoryton Playhouse Intern Company presents: 
Don’t Count Your Chickens Until They Cry Wolf
Book by Carol Lynn Wright Pearson  –  Music by  J.A.C.Redford
The colorful world of Aesop’s fables is brought to life in this fun filled musical for all ages.

August 24th  –  Stories in My Pocket Too presented by Little Theatre of the Deaf
Signing and stories, fun and fables – pick a pocket and see what comes out! A marvelous concoction by Connecticut’s own Little Theatre of the Deaf.

All performances are at 11am. Tickets are $12 and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org  Book early to avoid disappointment. (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

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Free Events Under the Tent!

Join us from 6:30pm – 7:30pm before our 7:30pm performances.

 

Wednesday, July 11th
Red Hot Ladies Night

A little bit of everything for the ladies including bubbly and decadent desserts before our production of Hairspray – The Broadway Musical!

 

Wednesday, July 18th
Red Hot Summer Wine Tasting

Relax in the shade and enjoy an array of wines from sparkling summer whites to red hot reds before our production of Hairspray – The Broadway Musical!!

 

Wednesday, July 25th
Red Hot Teen Night

Before our production of Hairspray – The Broadway Musical – music and ice-cream.  Ticket deals just for teens!

 

Wednesday, August 15th
Food, Glorious Food

A celebration of all things food – from sweet to savory and everything in between!  Join us before our production of Oliver!

 

Why not plan your special Event under the Tent at the Ivoryton Playhouse? Call us and find out more about group deals, box lunches and so much more!  860-767-0520 

Red Hot Summer Events  sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank.

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Don Church and Tony Schillaci review Last of the Red Hot Lovers on Examiner.com.  Click below to read the whole review:

http://www.examiner.com/review/neil-simon-s-the-last-of-the-red-hot-lovers-heats-up-the-ivoryton-playhouse

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“LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS” SET TO IGNITE AT IVORYTON
BONNIE GOLDBERG – 6/14/12

Barney Cashman is feeling like life is passing him by big time.  He is stuck in a no passing lane while traffic is soaring past, full steam ahead.  Married for twenty-three years to the same woman, the owner of a seafood restaurant, the most excitement he gets is using alliterative phrases like “flaming Florentine flounder” on his menu selections.  Dressed in a dark blue suit, driving a reliable Buick, he is suddenly anxious to grab life by the pincer claws and hold on tight.

To witness Barney’s attempt to carpe diem, seize life, travel to the Ivoryton Playhouse for Neil Simon’s mid-life crisis comedy “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” until Sunday, June 24.

R. Bruce Connelly is wonderful as the slightly nebbishy lothario who is unaccustomed to wooing and bedding women who are not his wife Thelma.  Not willing to stoop to going to a seedy motel for his assignations, he settles on using his mother’s meticulously clean apartment where the pillows are fluffed and the antimacassars are fussily perfect.

Barney has determined that a little fling is the answer to his problems.  But who to fling with is the question?  Enter Elaine Navazio, played perfectly by Beverly J. Taylor, a brassy no nonsense broad with aggressive tendencies and a smoker’s cough to rival Mount St. Helens.   Barney wants communication;  Elaine wants action.

Next up is a ditzy and adorable wannabe actress portrayed pertly by Katherine Ailsa Hubbard.  As Bobbi, she weaves charming and incredulous tales of her exploits in a wonderful, perky style that is engagingly over the top.

Last on Cashman’s date parade is an old family friend Jeanette, a neurotically seasoned Bonnie Black, who plays tour guide on a guilt trip that is endearingly emotional for both travelers. Maggie McGlone Jennings directs this delightful romp into infidelity land with a quartet of talented actors.

Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p .m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.  

For helpful hints about seduction and clandestine affairs, you would do well to avoid the steps taken by the ultimately decent, gentle and loving Barney Cashman.   Cheers!

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