Local Troupes Offer a History Lesson in Musical Theater

There’s something for everyone this upcoming weekend as local theatre groups present musicals highlighting songs from the 30’s through the 60’s. All generations will love these offerings from the Connecticut Playmakers in Old Greenwich, the Carriage House Arts Center in Norwalk, and the Bridgeport Theatre Company. Pick your era and join the fun!

If you are looking for great selections from the American Songbook, look no further than Sing for Your Supper, a fully staged musical revue featuring the songs of Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. Rodgers and Hart wrote over 500 songs for 26 Broadway musicals. In Sing for Your Supper, 21 performers sing and dance their way through over 40 of the best of Rodgers and Hart’s classics, including “Johnny One Note,” “Sing for your Supper,” “Blue Moon,” “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “Where or When,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” and the quirky, comedic “To Keep My Love Alive.” The cast features the talented Patric Hale who is a winner of New York City’s Mario Lanza Competition and Westport native and soprano Lucia Palmieri who had her sold-out solo debut in Carnegie Hall in 2006, has performed with the New York City Grand Opera, and has been featured in shows on Bravo and ESPN.

Director Donna McLaughlin Wyant, has produced shows featuring Tony Bennett, Donna Summer, Natalie Cole and the Irish Tenors, and is an Emmy and Clio-award-winning producer.

Music Director Chris Coogan-has been hailed by The New York Times as “a masterful pianist,” and has played with Bette Midler, Donna Summer, Ronnie Spector, Phoebe Snow, Jose Feliciano, James Naughton, Broadway stars Kristen Chenoweth, and Kelli O’Hara. Chris is also the founder and music director of The Good News Gospel Choir, a 50-voice, multi-denominational singing group that performs in Churches and venues in New York and Connecticut.

Sing for Your Supper runs each weekend through October 26th at the First Congregational Church Auditorium, 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT. For reservations call (203) 249-5419, or order online: Connecticut Playmakers.

If 1950’s pop music is more your speed, you can go to The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Carriage House Arts Center in Norwalk. This smash off-Broadway show, written and created by Roger Bean, takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where songleaders Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, rally together to entertain their classmates in four-part harmony. You’ll want to sing along with cast members Lauren Jacob, Candice Sisbarro, Dainelle Testori-Gartner and Melinda Zupaniotis as they don their best starched crinolines and bouffant hairdos and lead you through songs like “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” “It’s My Party,” “Respect” and over 20 other classic hits. Directed and choreographed by Lauren Nicole Sherwood, with musical direction by Dan Ringuette, this nostalgic walk down memory lane is sure to be a hit!

The Marvelous Wonderettes runs until November 1st at the Carriage House Arts Center. Call 203-229-9797 or visit Carriage House Arts Center for tickets.

If you are looking for a grittier, socially conscious experience, then join the be-in lovefest that is Hair, now being presented by the Bridgeport Theatre Company at the newly renovated Downtown Cabaret Theatre. This classic rock musical is at once both a joyous celebration of youth and a poignant journey through a tumultuous 1960s America. This exuberant musical about a group of teenagers searching for truth, peace and love in the Vietnam War era has struck a resonant chord with audiences of all ages.

Under the musical direction of Eli Newsom, Hair features an extraordinary, vocally strong, multi-cultural cast singing a long list of chart topping hit songs, including “Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In,” “Good Morning, Starshine” and “Easy To Be Hard.” Director and choreographer Lance Gray has led the local cast members through some of their strongest performances to date. Along with the colorful and authentic costumes by Jessica Camarero, and the beautiful new Cabaret lighting designed by Hugh Hallinan and Phill Hill, Bridgeport Theatre Company’s Hair is as visually stunning as it is entertaining.

But be warned: this show is recommended for ages 13 +; it includes simulated drug use, brief nudity, profanity, questioning of religion, blatant sexual positioning, and refusal of authority. But for those with the maturity to handle that, or who can look back nostalgically at this era full of energy, love, beads, flowers and happiness…enjoy!

Hair runs through October 25th at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, CT. Call 203-576-1636 or visit Bridgeport Theatre Company for tickets.

Photo: Lucia Palmieri and Martin Diamond and the cast of Sing for Your Supper, Photo Credit: Jeffrey R. Wyant