Two Big Announcements from Seven Angels Theatre

Press release

SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE MAKES TWO BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 35th SEASON

Artistic Director Semina De Laurentis Announces Retirement and Unveils 2024-2025 Season

Seven Angels Theatre announces two BIG happenings for the company’s 35th Season. In conjunction with the unveiling of the Waterbury theatre’s 2024-2025 Season, co-founder Semina DeLaurentis has announced she will be stepping down as artistic director. Semina commented, “As I turn 75, it’s time for me to retire, it’s time to step back from the responsibilities required to run a successful theatre.” Her retirement will commence in June 2025 with De Laurentis remaining on board to oversee the company’s 35th theatrical season.

Semina in partnership with six other “angels” established Seven Angels Theatre to offer the Waterbury Region great professional and community theatre, offering plays, comedies and musicals. Over the past 35 years there have been world premieres (Burning Desire, Love and Spumoni, Italian Mom Loves You!, the popular Earlene’s Diner holiday series, among others). Under her leadership, Seven Angels’ expansive youth and educational programs were launched including Bright Lights, the Summer Youth Theatre Program, Seven Angels In The Class Room, City Lights, Kid’s Stage, and a signature achievement – Seven Angels Theatre’s Halo Awards, honoring high school theatre achievement from over 90 Connecticut public and private school districts. The theatre also offers plentiful special events, community collaborations, and concerts, including the company’s recently-announced Fall Concert Series.

Seven Angels’ 35th Mainstage Season

For De Laurentis’ final season, she has selected a four-show lineup of what Seven Angels audiences have come to love best: musicals and comedies, including a Connecticut premiere and two world premieres.

Unchained Melodies - The Doo Wop Musical. November 1-24
Under the streetlamps of East Coast cities, doo-wop emerged bringing tight harmonies to the soundtrack of the 1950s.

Last Call for Christmas a Earlene’s Diner. December 6-22
It’s Christmas time at Earlene’s Diner...and it’s closing time! Order up a big slice of holiday cheer with Earlene, performed by her delightful alter ego Michelle Gotay, before she turns off the lights one last time. An original comedy written by Semina De Laurentis and performed as part of the company’s Community Stage.

The Wedding Binder. March 14-April 6
When Cherie’s boyfriend pops the question, she has no doubts that the answer will be “YES!” After all, she’s been planning her dream wedding ever since she unwrapped her Fairytale Dream Wedding Barbie. A hilarious new comedy from Connecticut playwright Jacques Lamarre (I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti; Love & Spumoni; Italian Mom Loves You!; and Secondo).

Sister Act – The Musical. April 24-May 18.
When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be found: a convent! Based on the classic film comedy, this Tony-nominated Broadway musical is a reason to REJOICE! Can I get an “amen?!”

Season subscriptions are on sale now. Subscribers save up to 27% with a Standard Flex Pass Plan or Opening Weekend Flex Pass, both of which include 4 tickets to use on any show. See them all or get four tickets to one show. We’re flexible! Subscriptions are on sale online at SevenAngelsTheatre.org, via phone at (203) 757-4676 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday Noon to 5 PM); or in-person at the box office (1 Plank Road, Waterbury; same hours of operation). Seven Angels Theatre is located in the historic Hamilton Park Pavilion in the newly-renovated Hamilton Park located off I-84 via Exit 25. Seven Angels offers plentiful free parking.

About Semina De Laurentis

Semina is a founding member and Artistic Director of Seven Angels Theatre. Over the years, she has directed many productions of new and established work, acknowledged and recognized with several CT Critics Circle Awards for direction and for her contributions to Connecticut Theatre. She also has received numerous community and state awards including Arts Leader of CT, CT Arts Hero 2020, and the Tom Killen Award for Lifetime Achievement in Connecticut Theatre from the Connecticut Critics Circle. As an actor ,she originated the role of Sr. Mary Amnesia in the musical Nunsense for which she received the NY Outer Critics Circle Awards. She went on to film Nunsense, Nunsense II and Nuncrackers with Rue McClanahan. New York and regional credits include The Public Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, LA Theatreworks, Washington’s Arena Stage, and Sacramento Music. Television credits include LA Law, Growing Pains, Baby Boom and Framed.

When asked recently about her time at the theatre, Semina responded, “I’m proud of what we have accomplished. Producing professional theatre, producing new work, giving opportunity to new playwrights struggling to be produced. But right alongside our professional productions, our educational and community programs have played an equally important role in our mission from the very beginning. In 1990 that was unusual for a regional theatre. To now see parents who were once in our youth programs sending their own children to Seven Angels is thrilling for me.” She goes on to say, “I have to thank the City of Waterbury for their vision; their recognition of the importance of the arts and the important role Seven Angels plays in the quality of life for Waterbury. It’s been a pleasure working with the City of Waterbury giving us the opportunity to transform the Hamilton Pavilion back into the vibrant building it was created to be, filled with music and dance and the arts.”

What is the future of the theatre? The Board of Directors is currently conducting a search for the next Artistic Director. Semina commented on the future AD, “I’m excited about handing over the reins of Seven Angels to someone who will bring new energy, new vision, and build on what we have accomplished. To continue to make a difference.”

On one of her biggest accomplishments during her time at the theatre is the Halo High School Theatre Awards. “I will continue to be involved with the Halos and advocate for increased support for the program and its excellence serving over 6000 students at over 95 high schools in CT to date.”

Asked what she will do during her retirement, De Laurentis states,“I look forward to spreading my wings into the next chapter. To travel, to spend more time with family and friends, maybe buy a camper. I fully intend to continue to create, to act, to sing wherever that may lead me – as long as I can remember my lines and sing on key.”