Theater Review: 'Calendar Girls' at Connecticut Theatre Company

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Connecticut Theatre Company invited me to attend a dress rehearsal of “Calendar Girls.” The play is based upon the Miramax motion picture by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth. The story is based on the true story of eleven mature women who posed nude for an “alternative” calendar in order to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund. The death of a much-loved husband prompts this group of ordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women's Institute to do this extraordinary thing.

Duane Campbell, the CTC executive director, said the show about sisterhood is “sure to make you laugh, make you cry and leave you with a smile.” Tony Palmieri directs the cast to accomplish all of the above with the help of co-director Stephanie DeMarco. Palmiere co-directed “Moon Over Buffalo” at CTC and DeMarco is working at CTC for the first time. The co-directors were also in charge of the set design that moves from the WI meeting room to the sunflower field.

Annie is played beautifully by Cindy Maher, who returns to CTC after playing the adult women roles in “Spring Awakening.” Iesha M. Rose is a delight in the role of the mischievous Chris, who always is the center of attention, in her 11th CTC show. Spoiler alert: “The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their newfound fame.”

Michele Abbazia, who studied theater at EastConn and Circle in the Square in Manhattan, is great as Cora, a role in which she gets to practice her keyboard skills. and Rayah Martin returns to this stage to play the eager to please Ruth, who transform . Newly retired Susan Bailey plays Marie in her first CTC show, Lisa Bynes is the aging teacher Jessie in her CTC debut and Kelley Mountzoures returns to the stage after a six year hiatus to shine as the rebellious Celia. Brooke Owens, last seen in “Elf” at Seven Angels, plays the patronizing Elaine.

The guys are covered by Stephen Maher in the pivotal and sad role of John, working alongside his real life wife Cindy. Jason Scot plays Chris’ husband Rod and Staci Battle is the hesitant photographer Lawrence in his fifth CTC production and first straight play. Matt Stevens plays washing powder ad director Liam in his first CTC show.

Jane Dioguardi gets to “chew the scenery” (her words) as a “looney old bat,” the stuffy Lady Cravenshire and Jenny Ledde is Brenda Holtz.

Elizabeth A. Saylor did a great job with both costume and wig design and Hillary Lang did well as lighting designer. There is some original music composed by Joshua Lucius Ives that colors some of the scenes. Erin Frechette, one of the resident choreographers at CTC, has overseen the props.

The show is appropriate for older children, with the nudity only suggested through the use of clever props. Performances of “Calendar Girls” are scheduled for Friday, March 8 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, March 9 at 7:00 PM, Friday, March 15 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, March at 7:00 PM, Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 PM, Friday, March 22 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, March 23 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, March 24 at 2:00 PM. Please note the 7PM start time.

Performances are presented at The Repertory Theatre on Norden Street in New Britain. Following “Calendar Girls” will be “Nine,” “Cabaret,” “Sondheim on Sondheim,” and the return of “A Christmas Carol.” 5 Show Flex Passes and 3 Show Flex Passes are on sale as well so you can come see multiple productions.

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Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.