On the Boards Sept. 16

Around Greater  Danbury, Opening this weekend
at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

while at the Sherman Playhouse Dancing At Lughnasa also opens;
both running for four weeks.

And don’t forget TheatreWorks New Milford continues Exit the King.




Across Western Connecticut:
Opening at Goodspeed is How to Succeed in Business Without Really Tryingfor a 10 week run. 

At the Thomaston Opera House, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS continues for two more weeks.

At the WESTPORT COMMUNITY THEATRE they are Opening Enter Laughing  for a three week run.

The Slant of Light Theater Company will open IKE: Or the Tale of the Floating Flamingo this weekend and hold a New play reading on Tuesday. 

The Playhouse on the Green, in Bridgeport, hosts Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure for two weeks.

At the Westport Country Playhouse The Diary of Anne Frank will open early next week.

Most curtain times are 8 PM but check the links.

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Theater Auditions September 14

The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts is looking for enthusiastic directors willing to share their energy and talents in their 2011 season. If you are interested in directing a play or musical, please submit a proposal by Sept 15, 2010.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is holding auditions for their Holiday Spectacular Tuesday Sept 14 between 6 and 9 and Wednesday afternoon Sept 15 3 to 6 pm.

The Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport will hold singing, open call auditions for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Wednesday September 15th  between 3pm-5:30pm and 7pm-10pm. Also note: Those auditioning may also be considered for roles in the Cabaret Children’s Company 2010-2011 Season. 


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On the Boards September 9

In Danbury: 

The Stage Repertory Company’s, new offering, “Musical Mondays!” featuring Bobby Cronin and a cast of Broadway performers from Hair, Wicked, Wonderland, Spelling Bee, Band Geeks!, BRATT Camp, Memphis, and The Lion King performs Monday Sept. 13TH at the Palace.   

Across Western Connecticut:
Opening this weekend at Waterbury’s The Seven Angels Theatre is My Fair Lady 
The Goodspeed Opera House continues, for its last two week with Carnival!

Later this month, Brookfield, New Milford, Ridgefield, Sherman and Bridgeport will light up their stages again.

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Theater Auditions for September 7

The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts is looking for enthusiastic directors willing to share their energy and talents in their 2011 season. If you are interested in directing a play or musical, please submit a proposal by Sept 15, 2010.
The Ridgefield Playhouse is holding auditions for their "Holiday Spectacular" Tuesday evening  Sept 14 and Wednesday afternoon Sept 15.

The Nine Mile Players invite local actors to audition on Thursday September 9, from 6pm-9:30pm at the Oxford Center Grange Hall. (next to Oxford Center Firehouse) for Our Town.

The Ivoryton Playhouse will be holding two auditions, the first; non-Equity auditions for all roles (adults and children) for their December production of Barnum on Saturday, on September 11th from 11am – 3pm and And second non-Equity and Equity auditions for all roles (adult male and female) for a November production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest on Monday, September 13th from noon – 8pm both at the Rehearsal Studio, 24 Main Street, Centerbrook.

At Curtain Call in Stamford, Auditions for Annie will be September 11, 2010 from 10am to 2pm for ages 6 to 14 and September 13 and 14 from 7pm to 10pm for adults at the The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave. 

Hartford Stage will hold auditions for children 6-13, of all ethnic backgrounds, for  A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, by appointment only. Schedule by calling the theater Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Appointments will not be taken after Monday, September 10th.  

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On the Boards Sept. 2

Around Greater Danbury
The Town Players of Newtown closes, Murderers this weekend.

Across the Western Connecticut region
At the Westport Country Playhouse I do, I do continues it’s extended run.
And at the Goodspeed Opera House, CARNIVAL! continues.

Elsewhere
At the Ivoryton Playhouse Finian’s Rainbow concluded its run.

And keep an eye out for:

The Stage Repertory Company’s, new offering, Musical Mondays! starting Sept. 13th.
Brookfield, New Milford, Ridgefield, Sherman and  Bridgeport also light up their stages again later this month.

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Theater Auditions August 31

Brookfiled (TBTA)
The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts  is looking for enthusiastic directors willing to share their energy and talents in their 2011 season. If you are interested in directing a play or musical, please submit a proposal by Sept 15, 2010.

The Wilton Playshop will hold their auditions for the musical WALL STREET, Friday, September 3, between 7-10 pm and Saturday, September 4, between 10 am -1 pm at 15 Lovers Lane Wilton.

The Ivoryton Playhouse will be holding non-Equity auditions for all roles (adults and children) for their December production of Barnum on Saturday, September 11th from 11am – 3pm at the Rehearsal Studio, 24 Main Street, Centerbrook.

At Curtain Call in Stamford, Auditions for Annie will be September 11, 2010 from 10am to 2pm for ages 6 to 14 and September 13 and 14 from 7pm to 10pm for adults at the The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave.

The Nine Mile Players invite local actors to audition on Tuesday, September 7 and Thursday September 9, from 6pm-9:30pm at the Oxford Center Grange Hall. (next to Oxford Center Firehouse).


Hartford Stage will hold auditions for children of all ethnic backgrounds, ages 6-13 years old, for  A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas. Auditions are by appointment only. To schedule an audition, call the theater Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Appointments will not be taken after 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 10th.   



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On the Boards August 26

Around Greater Danbury
The Town Players of Newtown continue with, Murderers.

Across the Western Connecticut region
At the Westport Country Playhouse I do, I do continues it’s extended run. 
And at the Goodspeed Opera House, CARNIVAL! continues.

Elsewhere
Continuing at the Ivoryton Playhouse is Finian’s Rainbow.

And keep an eye out for:

The Stage Repertory Company’s, new offering, Musical Mondays! starting Sept. 13th. 
Brookfield, New Milford, Ridgefield, Sherman and  Bridgeport also light up their stages again in September.

This StageGram is brought to you by Girls Gone Biker, pretty things for women who love motorcycles. The Summer sale is on now, many items are 50% off. 
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Theater Auditions August 24

At the Thomaston Opera House JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, open call will be on Sunday, August 29 and Monday, August 30, 2010 both at 7:00pm.
Callbacks will be held Wednesday, September 1, if needed.

The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts  is looking for enthusiastic directors willing to share their energy and talents in their 2011 season. If you are interested in directing a play or musical, please submit a proposal by Sept 15, 2010.



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On the boards August 20

Around Greater Danbury,
The Summer Youth Musical Theater Workshop at Musicals at Richter opens for this weekend only "Sing Out, Louise!".
The Town Players of Newtown opens, “Murderers”, for a three week run.
The Ridgefield Playhouse performs “The Taming of the Shrew” free on August 21 at 2pm

Across the Western Connecticut region,
Running for this weekend only at the Seven Angels Theatre is “Blood Type: Ragu”.
At  Goodspeed, “Radio Girl”, closes this weekend.
And at the Westport Country Playhouse “I do, I do” continues it’s extended run.

And keep an eye out for:

The Stage Repertory Company’s, new offering, “Musical Mondays!” starting Sept. 13TH 

Brookfield, New Milford, Ridgefield, Sherman and  Bridgeport also light up their stages again in September.


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On the boards August 12

Around Greater Danbury,

For Musicals at Richter in Danbury this is closing weekend for “Carousel”.

The Ridgefield Playhouse Opens for this weekend only “Les Misérables: School Edition”

Across the Western Connecticut region

Also closing is “Sheila’s Day” at Hartford Stage. 

Open this week at the Westport Country Playhouse is “I do, I do” 

At  Goodspeed, “Radio Girl”, continues. 

Next week; September 16-19, presented by the Playhouse on the Green is “Godspell “at the Park City Players youth theater

Most curtain times are 8 PM but check the links for details.

And keep an eye out for:

The Ridgefield Playhouse performs “The Taming of the Shrew” free on August 21 at 2pm

Watch for The Stage Repertory Company’s, new offering, “Musical Mondays!” starting Sept. 13^TH  

Brookfield, New Milford, Ridgefield, Sherman and Bridgeport also light up their stages again in September. 

Break a Leg.

On The boards August 6

`If you give me a minute I’ll tell you where to go.

Around Greater Danbury,

Two performances in Danbury:
At Musicals at Richter;  “Carousel” continues.

Opening for this weekend only is the "The Merry Wives of Windsor " at the Ives Concert Park.
Also  running this weekend only are:
At the Brewster Theater Company “Anything Goes” and
At TheatreWorks New Milford "RENT: School Edition"

In addition, on the Danbury Green, a family of Afrikan drummers along with Kariamu Dancers and Drummers and the students of Danbury Music Center's summer enrichment program are performing HIGH ENERGY AUTHENTIC AFRIKAN MUSIC! at 7:30. 

Across the Western Connecticut region,

At The Thomaston Opera House, this is the final weekend for “CINDERELLA (Enchanted Edition)”.

Hartford Stage continues “Sheila’s Day” 

At  Goodspeed, “Radio Girl”, continues. 

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of the Performing Arts presents “Disney’s High School Musical 2,” this weekend only in Westport.

Most curtain times are 8 PM but check the links for details. Also stay subscribed here for more about The Stage Repertory Company, thrilled to announce their incredible new offering: Musical Mondays!

Break a Leg.

Tickets are on sale now at the Shubert Theater for Spring Awakening and Swan Lake, get them today at www.shubert.com #CTTheaterless than a minute ago via EchofonGregory Wencek
TheaterProducer

On the Boards July 30

If you give me a minute I’ll tell you where to go.

Across the Western Connecticut region

• The Wilton Playshop closes “Romeo and Juliet”.
• Hartford Stage continues “Sheila’s Day”.
• At The Thomaston Opera House “CINDERELLA (Enchanted Edition)” also continues.
• And in the middle of their run, the Downtown Cabaret lights up; “Bye Bye Birdie”.
• Finally, opening this week at Goodspeed is “Radio Girl”, a New Musical Based on Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, From the composer of “Dreamgirls”.

Around Greater Danbury,

• This is opening weekend for “Carousel” at Musicals at Richter in Danbury.

• This is the final weekend for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” at the Sherman Playhouse.

• And at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, “Once on this Island” will conclude its fabulous run.

Most curtain times are 8PM but check the links for details.

Break a Leg.

On the boards July 23

If you give me a minute I’ll tell you where to go.

This is the final weekend for “42nd Street” at Musicals at Richter in Danbury.
“The Importance of Being Ernest” also wraps up this weekend at the Little Theater n Newtown.
At the Sherman Playhouse, “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” continues it’s run.
And at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, don’t miss “Once on this Island”.

Hartford Stage

Come to "Sheila's Day " Thursday, July 22 at 7:30 pm until <br />Sunday, August 15 at 2:00 pm. A Triumphant... http://fb.me/DTMNkOAfless than a minute ago via FacebookHartford Stage
HartfordStage

The Danbury, Connecticut area is blessed with a plethora of theatrical performances. Among the many offerings this summer is at The Brookfield Theater for the Arts which is about to open the musical Once on this Island. The story is Based on the novel "My Love, My Love"
by Rosa Guy, a re-telling of the traditional The Little Mermaid, set to calypso-flavored music, set on a Caribbean island.

The story is brought to life by Director Michael Burnett and a cast of talented actors, singers and dancers, including my son; Daniel. More than 25 years ago I was active with that company. And still the Broofield playhouse remains alive with the energy and excitement which is live theater. If you haven't had the chance to get your tickets, do so now. You won't to miss the production, and the shows at Brookfield sell out early.

Opening night is July 9 and performances run through July weekends, with some Sunday Matinees. Call or click today for your reservations. The on-line box office is open right now.

Here is a preview of what to expect.

You won't be disappointed.

As we progress into Spring, a number to theaters are open. The newest is TheStage Repertory Company which opens, for one night only, on Saturday.

What follows is a test of a Twitter tool, to promote Theater.

Get your tickets for TheStage Rep's Production of MY FIRST TIME this Saturday at The Palace Danbury, CT at 8:00pm http://www.thestagerep.orgless than a minute ago via webGregory Wencek
TheaterProducer

Annie Get Your Gun, another fine show from Danbury High School Productions

With most school events, the greatest enjoyment comes to the parents and friends. In this case you won't need a child in the show to enjoy this production. From the opening number to the final bow the cast, crew and orchestra deliver a superior performance. They have built a wonderful ensemble team which produces a winning outcome.

It is hard to imagine a company with better performers. The orchestra, and it is an orchestra, brings out the full depth of the Irving Berlin score. You might not think there were so many singing and dancing students in the school system, but there are. The young men and women all move so well you might think they have all done this for years. The songs fill the auditorium with pleasure. The harmony is superb. I encourage everyone who likes theater and especially musical theater to get tickets for this production.

A big thank you to everyone who worked on this production. Of course the cast, crew, orchestra and staff but also the High School administration and the Board of Education for understanding, promoting and funding the extra circular activities which make the Danbury school system the good one it is. School is more than 'book learning'. The social interaction and cooperation among individuals makes well rounded, balanced citizens. This production epitomizes well spent tax payers dollars. This production is a blend of public and private, financial and personal cooperation.

Performances of Annie Get Your Gun continue May 7 and 8 starting at 7:30 in the Danbury, Connecticut High school auditorium. If you have nothing else to do come on down. If you have other plans, put them off to see this show. You will not be disappointed. Ticket info: 203-790-2824

Photo credit: Senior Emmaline Riley rehearsing as Annie and senior Patrick Ramsay as Wilson in the Danbury High School production of "Annie Get Your Gun." Monday, May 3, 2010 Photo: Scott Mullin / The News-Times Freelance

Early History of Musicals at Richter

History of the Theater, Musicals at Richter in the beginning

Good evening. I am Gregory Wencek, co-founder of Musicals at Richter. I want to welcome all of you to the gala. But before we begin a few reminders. The use of flash photography is hazardous to the actors and disturbing to others in the audience. Should nature call you may answer down the path behind the willow tree where you will find the Toile't-Mobile'. With words like those, just prior to darkness, we welcomed our patrons to the lawn. I have been asked to remember how Musicals got to be at Richter, that is to bore you with a brief history lesson. Musicals at Richter has been presenting theater in Danbury for a quarter of a century. It is the longest running theater in Danbury in recent memory, and the longest running outdoor theater in Connecticut. It now spans generations.

Richter Park is a natural performance space. The majesty of the stately willows, now all but gone, flanked the stage, forming a natural proscenium arch, and dropping thousands of leaves on the sets. The view inspired the artist, Janice Papayanni, to design the willow logo. An audience was captivated by the space, in spite of the misquotes. Since 1972 the Richter Association for the Arts had presented Gilbert and Sullivan, off and on, from a portable stage in the outdoor space in front of the cabana's foundation.

For the 6 years prior to Musicals at Richter there was Shakespeare in the Park. Preparation for the 1985 season, Twelfth Night, following the Scottish tragedy in 1984, was underway. The Artistic Director, Wendall MacNeal, asked me, as his Technical director, to join him on a fact finding trip to a new space at the westside campus of Western Connecticut State University. We drove up the dirt road and walked part of a mile into the woods past a pond into a small meadow. This, he said pointing to a small electrical wire sticking out of the ground, was to become the home of a new theater. We would build a replica of the Globe Theater in England and the people would come. He had ended the collaboration with the Richter Association for the Arts and in the next few months we would open in our new home. The Scottish tragedy, produced the year before was the last professionally produced Shakespeare production in a Danbury park.

What has become Musicals at Richter got started when Max Sinowitz, then ...Arts President, approached Bradford Blake with the proposition that he could fill the void created by the Shakespeare theater moving to Ives. Mr. Blake asked me if I would be interested in that project. And in spite of my commitment to be the technical director for the Country Players of Brookfield and being Technical Director for the Shakespeare Festival, I said yes. The productions would hardly overlap and this was an opportunity to start our own theater. There were so many of us who wanted this to succeed: Brad and I, Jacki Hanson Garver, Marion Wencek, Olga Paproski, Max and Sylva Sinowitz and so many more.

The obvious choice to attract a large audience, was a musical. The first proposal by Mr. Blake to Richter was presented on May 7, 1985 to produce The Sound of Music opening August 8 running Thursdays through Sundays closing Monday September 2. The budget was $20,420. We were rejected.

A second proposal for Little Mary Sunshine and Once Upon A Mattress to run from July through August was formally accepted on July 1, 1985. With a $3,000 loan, personally guaranteed by Brad and myself, we had begun. A small band of friends was joined by a region full of talent. Both shows were cast and a production team assembled. Expenses above the Richter Arts loan were paid by personal loans and generous local businesses. Our compensation was knowing it would be a job well done and a share in the profits. For the first two years Musicals at Richter was a professional theater which paid participants through profit sharing.

The summer of 1985 offered theater goers the musicals: Baby at Brookfield's playhouse, The Music Man and A Little Night Music at the Candelwood Playhouse and Grease in New Milford's Connecticut Stage at Harrybrook Park. Tickets to Musicals at Richter started at $8.50 with Students, Seniors and groups over 10 at $6.50. We followed the Shakespeare tradition of lawn, blanket seating, with the audience bringing a picnic dinner to the park at 6:30. Brookfield, Connecticut Stage and Candelwood offered full orchestras to accompany their shows, at Richter we carried an upright piano from the house out to the stage.

In case of the "R" word we ran the piano off the lawn. There was a choreography for rain, cast and crew were assigned to specific tasks: gather and carry costumes, props, the piano. Everyone was responsible for something and it had to get inside as fast as possible. Lightning storms posed the biggest threat. More than once the lawn was struck by lightning, owing to the filed in pool in the middle of the lawn and the more than 1 mile of copper cable stretched around the audience.

By contract there were to be no rehearsals at Richer Park until tech week. Sets and lights were also brought in and assembled on the week of the first performance. The production company was responsible for the general maintenance of the building and grounds for the summer. Actors and crew would come right after work, set up the costumes, props and carry the piano outside then get themselves ready for the performance. After the final curtain it was time to put away all of the props and costumes then vacuum and wash the floors, upstairs and down as well as take garbage off the lawn. Following a night cap on the 17th tee and munchies at the Brickyard it was off to dreamland before doing it all again the next day. At the end of the season all traces of the productions were to be removed from the park. We were to leave the lawn as if no one had been there all summer. (We planted grass seed the week after we moved out.)

Opening night saw 38 paid patrons on the lawn joined by many other friends, family and well wishers. Total paid audience that summer for 17 performances was 902. And during one of the two rain out nights the cast was able to get to Brookfield to see their production of Baby. There was a small profit to share and that success quieted the objections of some members of the Richter Arts board who said the American musical was not an art form and had no place at the Art Center as well as thought their money was going to be lost. The production company was able to produce a second season before becoming Musicals At Richter, Incorporated and the rest is history.

In 1988 I married the chorus girl and we remain 'happily ever after'. My plans to expand to an amphitheater performance space never gained traction with the Musicals board of directors. I left the production company in 1995 so I could spend more time with my growing family. It is wonderful to know that the foundation we laid has been standing for 25 years. That is no accident and it is not unexpected. Over the last 35 years Danbury has hosted almost a half dozen theaters, professional and community. But there is a special strength that has driven Musicals at Richter and will continue to drive it for many more years to come. I am proud to have been a small part in bringing theater to an audience. And I am more proud of those who have continued the journey.

Thank you for your time this evening. And now sit back and relax to enjoy the rest of the gala. We are: Musicals at Richter, and We've got the Stars.

Thank you Danbury High Theater Productions


Students at Danbury High School are producing a wonderful experience on stage this weekend with Peter Pan. The musical opened Thursday, April 30, 2009, and the packed house was shown a delightful time. Inviting elementary school student to the audience is a wonderful way to broaden their horizons and entertain. This weekend, full of performances, will delight students, family, friends and anyone who attends.

From the opening notes of the orchestra the production brings quality, energy and life to the auditorium. The stage all but overflows with actors. Back stage and behind the scenes are a myriad of additional crew and staff bringing the characters to life. Acting, music, sets, lights, props, ushers, tickets, souvenirs; everything is first rate. Nothing detract from the experience. Throughout the performance you believe: children fly, and good triumphs over evil, all with good humor and song.

Theater is a collaborative endeavor. Each team depends on its members and the other teams to make the production work. In this production the cast, crew, orchestra and staff prove that when everyone works together the job is done well. To the more than 150 people that worked on this show I say. "Thank you". More than just an entertaining for few hours this team experience is like no other. And knowing that Danbury Connecticut's Board of Education still values more than the academic basics makes me a proud citizen. This partnership of tax payer and private funds is also a model worthy of note.

The State of Connecticut and the City of Danbury are behind the 2009 Connecticut Film Festival.

The Connecticut Film Festival has announced it will kick off the 2009 Festival with screenings of more than 30 films at the Bethel Cinema in Bethel, Connecticut between December 5-7, 2008.

Hat City Entertainment reports that funding has been promised from the State of Connecticut and the City of Danbury. As Western Connecticut State University expands its film program the hope that this industry will keep the local economy moving. Film makers bring the necessity for all sorts of ancillary crafts. Any and all of these will keep the area diverse and vital.

The success of last summer's festival demonstrates the positive effect of arts programs in the community. It is not just the movie goers who benefit by seeing these great titles. Local merchants get the benefit of extra patrons at hotels and restaurants.

Keep up with the latest by joining the Facebook group "Connecticut Film, Music & Digital Media Festival & Conference". Keep current with Danbury activity by following Danbury Mayor Bouton at Twitter. You already watch this space so stayed connected.

Pay for Play - Radio Payola again

The Music industry’s  RIAA has asked Congress to apply a charge to broadcasters who play artists music on the air. If artists get paid to appear on the radio then radio should charge the artist to appear on the air. Time on radio is valuable and if someone wants to be heard they should buy the time like any advertiser.  Perhaps the broadcasters could charge  $.0018 per performance.  (A "performance" is defined as the streaming of one song to one listener; thus a station that has an average audience of 500 listeners racks up 500 "performances" for each song it plays.)

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I had not realized that Network radio drama lasted as long as it had in to the 1980's. As it turns out one of the actors in the CBS Mystery Theater died this week. Larry Haines had a long career on and off Broadway but what caught my eye was the radio theater. There are some examples at archive.org.


I guess I shouldn't be so surprised as Rich Frohlich is still producing radio drama today. So this art form isn't gone it is just hiding. Here's to letting it loose to entertain the world.