Play It Again Sam - Now Playing

Woody Allen's comedy about a recent a divorcee named Allan Felix, whose neurotic behavior leads to awkward interactions with women is now on stage at Playhouse on Park in the renowned Park Road District of West Hartford.

The creative team here at Playhouse on Park has a je ne sais quoi when it comes to selecting and casting our shows. We have a history of diversity when it comes to the shows we produce. With a broad array of shows  comes a diverse group of talented individuals selected to bring well written characters to life. "Play It Again Sam" is no exception. 

Zane Johnston who plays Allan Felix, puts a comic spin on a man who is suddenly thrust back in to the dating world, we laugh with and root for him, from the time his wife humiliates him, on her way out the door through the awkward interactions with other women.

Bethany Fitzgerald plays his soon to be ex wife and all the other women he encounters throughout his tumultuous navigation of newly found singlehood. She glides effortlessly through costume and accent changes to bring a variety of women to life, including a dancer at a disco.  Bethany is no stranger to dance, having played Roxie Hart in our production of "Chicago".

Dan Matisa, plays his good friend Dick Christie, a business oriented man determined to help Allan forget about his ex and find a new lady for him.  

Marnye Young plays Dick's wife Linda, who helps her husband with Allan's plight and gets more than she bargained for. 

Some of the funniest moments come in Allan's dream scenarios when Zane, Dan and Marnye add new layers to their characters.

Ted D'Agostino plays Humphrey Bogart with a soft spoken coolness while donning his signature accent and trench coat. He strolls in and out offering his sage advice. Ted has appeared recently in "Of Mice and Men" and "Go Dog Go" at the playhouse.

So take in to consideration Woody Allen's reputation for excellent cinema and stage presentations, Playhouse on Park's exceptional production value it pours in to every show, the actors who bring the words to life and the expert direction of Russell Treyz, then find someone to take with you to the show.

Play It Again Sam runs through March 24th. Call 860-523-5900 x10 for the best and most affordable ticket in town.

But Wait There's More

It's only a couple of weeks in to 2013, and already so much has happened at Playhouse on Park.  A packed house welcomed 2013 at our Annual New Year's Eve Murder Mystery party. We had a workshop for a new work called "The Clowns." A rock opera written and composed locally. We had a comedian/mime perform two shows and sold out the place and then some for our third Comedy Night of the season.

But Wait There's More.

The set for our next main stage show, Moonlight & Magnolias is already up. The show is a rip roaring farce with witty, pointed dialogue and hilarious situations. The story centers on three of Hollywood's greatest film collaborators who are locked in a room for five days as they rush to rewrite the screenplay for "Gone With The Wind" which has halted production after just three weeks.

Having been at the playhouse during rehearsals, I could hear the madcap hilarity going on behind closed doors. Also, while hauling old set pieces out, I saw a variety of props strewn across the stage.  What they all were and how they got there, I don't know, but I can't wait t find out.

If your lifelong dream is to become a subscriber to Playhouse on Park and you thought you had missed your chance, well good news, you have not. Order a four show subscription now, which starts with Moonlight & Magnolias, followed by Play it Again Sam, stop/time dance theater: Ten and Counting & Cabaret. Call the box office at 860-523-5900 x 10 to order, or ask us some questions.  Anyone who answers the phone can help you.

Now if you're like me, and who wouldn't want to be like me? That's a rhetorical question.  Anyway, if you are like me, you probably want to help out at Playhouse on Park, but weren't sure how.  Here's how, come party with us, that's right party.  You see we have these two old gals who run the place, Tracy and Darlene (Sean helps too). Their collective age is 101, so there throwing themselves a birthday party and gifts are welcome, not for them, but for the playhouse. Not sure what you can get us? We've compiled a list: Copy and paste in to your browser, then go to the store.

http://www.playhouseonpark.org/docs/2013WishListV1.pdf

The party is Friday, February 15th, starting at 7:00 PM. Join us as we play games like:

Spin the Metamucil Bottle, Connect The Liver Spots, False Teeth Toss, & Guess What's In My Diaper? And many more. We all hope you join us for a night they won't remember, but you will.

But Wait There's More...

Spontaneous Blogging - Comedy Night

So it's Thanksgiving Eve here at Playhouse on Park and we're gearing up for the first event in a fun-filled weekend of comedy and music..

Tonight is comedy night and just a few minutes ago, the first comedian arrived, Jeff Lutz, followed a few minutes later by our second of three comedians Bob Carroll.

The lobby is being festively decorated for the return of Mama D's Outrageous Romp this Saturday night, two shows of music, dancing, comedy and outrageous behavior.  Darlene Zoller, our Artistic Director puts the "D" in Mama D.

Our Box Office Guru and Subscriber Relations Expert Spencer Pond is prepping for the mad rush of people who will descend on our venue, ready to get their laugh on.

Dawn Loveland is our Stage Manager tonight. She is perfecting the lights and sound for tonight's show

Barbara Jurgelas, a comedy veteran and scheduler of the funny people for the playhouse has strolled in for the night's festivities.

There are plenty of tickets available so come on over and escape the hectic holiday preparations for an hour and a half.  Tickets are only $15.00.  The event is BYOB.  If you are going to BYOB, could you also BSFM (bring some for me)

Miss Nelson is on The Marquee

So recently, someone, who shall go unnamed said that I was "Technologically challenged" when it came to posting photos to the playhouse blog.  Boo ya! Nailed it. Take that Tracy Flater..........Oops. 

Not only did I put the picture of the marquee on the blog, I also assembled the letters for the marquee, climbed the shaky ladder and without fear of personal harm, attached the letters to the marquee. 

On any given marquee-changing day, I generally receive spontaneous applause from grateful passersby, that day was no exception. Don't worry, a humble man takes the adulation in great stride. I on the other hand did a hip celebratory dance in honor of myself.

Come see "Miss Nelson is Missing" this weekend at Playhouse on Park. 1:00 & 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are only $13.00 for children and $15.00 for adults. This hilarious show runs about forty-five minutes. Meet the cast in the lobby after the show, or at A.C. Petersen Farms, when they do a walk through after each performance. Call 860-523-5900 x10 for tickets and answers to all your questions, up to and including how I got to be such a great dancer.

Festival of Fun

The dictionary defines a festival as a period or program of festive activities, cultural events or entertainment. If it's a festive activity you seek that is cultural and entertaining, then look no further, Playhouse on Park presents The 24-Hour Playwriting Festival.

You're intrigued, I know, I see you sitting there wearing your whimsical smile of curiosity. By the way, you look marvelous! Okay, here's the deal, A group of ambitious individuals assembles at the performance venue exactly 24 hours prior to show time. The eager artists are randomly put in to to groups consisting of a playwright, director and actors. They spend some time getting to know each other and begin to formulate a plot for their play.

When I stopped by the playhouse tonight, each of our four groups had been selected and were seated at various locations throughout the playhouse. After their initial meeting, people new to the playhouse were given a tour of the stage by their directors. at 9:00PM festival organizer Dawn Loveland dismissed the actors and directors and helped set up writing stations for the playwrights, who will spend the night writing the play.

At 8:00AM the actors and directors return, hopefully having already been e-mailed a copy of the script by the playwright, who should be home sleeping. Hopefully not to find the playwright curled up in the fetal position on the floor muttering to themselves, although that would make a hilarious concept for a short play.

The actors and directors begin to rehearse the play first thing.  Early afternoon, the playwrights will return to help the others produce the show in any number of ways, including locating props and costumes. The group will work through the afternoon to bring the shows together. Each group will get one hour in the theater to tech their show i.e. work out lighting and sound issues. Once all the elements come together, the only issues will be the ones you'll see on stage.

Come see the results of their hard work on Saturday, August 4th at 8:00PM. General admission seats are just $10.00. Or by calling the playhouse box office at 860-523-5900 x10.

Here are the names and titles for each of our four groups:

Group A

Playwright - Jacques Lamarre

Director - Carolyn Cumming

Cast - Robyn Belt, Thomas Doelger, Amanda Forker, Susan Rattigan

Group B

Playwright - Peython Echelson Russell

Director - Tasya Albert

Cast - Hillary Ekwall, Denise Walker, Ginny Wolf

Group C

Playwright - Terri Klein

Director - Helena Morris

Cast - Annie Coursey, Aaron Petre, Laurel White

Group D

Playwright - Matt Macca

Director - Becky Beth Benedict

Cast - Molly Cook, Will Matus, Charles Merils

Hot Summer Nights

Let's face it, this summer is hot. Soaring temperatures have us all seeking cooler climates. I'm no meteorologist, but I predict that this summer is going to get even hotter, but it's cool.  Playhouse on Park has, so far planned eight hot one night events that you are sure to enjoy, all from the comfort of our cool venue. All of our varied events begin at 7:30 and cost a mere $10.00. For just $40.00 you can attend all eight.


***Drum roll please***


And now, without further ado, here are the events:

Saturday, August 4th

24-Hour Playwriting Festival - Final Performance

This diabolical hostage plot puts a bunch of starving artists together in one room, (playwrights, directors and actors) and forces them to write scripts, direct them and act in them, all in just twenty four hours. Don't worry about us, we'll have Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy fed to us intravenously.

Sunday, August 5th

Dance Party

Twist and Shout the night away. Wave your hands in the air, shake your derriere, move 'em around like you just don't care. We'll be playing songs from every generation. You may even learn some new dance steps.

Monday, August 6th

Game Night

This is a favorite pastime among me and my friends. We regularly meet up and team up in friendly competitions. I'll bet you do the same thing. So join us at the playhouse as game night goes big time!

Tuesday, August 7th

Open Mic Night

You provide your talent, we provide the audience. We're looking for singers, song writers, musicians, comedians, poets, and dancers to strut their stuff. Piano and accompanist will be hand.  Come to perform or just watch.

Wednesday, August 8th

An Evening with Hillary, Carolyn and Friends

You've seen them at Falcetti Fridays, Main Stage Mondays at A.C. Petersens and in many of our productions. Now watch these talented ladies belt out a variety of songs.  They'll be joined their equally talented friends.

Thursday, August 9th

Fashion Show and Jewelry Sale

A special collaboration with Vice Versa Boutique showcasing the latest in contemporary fashion for women. Also, don't miss Vice Versa highlighting their line of clothing for dogs and t-shirts for boys. Visit our lobby before and after the show and shop at our Stella and Dot Trunk Show.

Friday, August 10th

Improv at the Playhouse

Improv master Rich Hollman will lead chosen audience members, in game show format through a series of games and issue points. By the end of the night, he'll crown a winner. Rich is seen regularly at the PIT (People's Improv Theatre) in New York City. You've also seen him on stage here at the playhouse in Shakespeare Abridged, Art, The Mystery of Irma Vep and Metamorphoses.

Saturday, August 11th

Play Reading: Battleground Malibu

Watch and laugh along to this "new work" written by James M. Denton (hey that's me) and my friend and writing partner Rexford Cooley. You will be the first to hear this comedic play read by professional actors, led by  Sean Harris and Rich Hollman. You will have the unique opportunity to provide your feedback on response cards and ask questions of all of us, writers and cast. Ice cream sundaes and Uncle Jim's Chocolate Chip Cookies will also feature prominently in the night's festivities.

Well there you have it, eight great events and more to come. Call the playhouse for your tickets, or to sign up  for one of our events. The number is 860-523-5900 x10

A 'Swinging' Video

The pool from Metamorphoses has been replaced with a band area and a dance floor to usher in our next production, Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical.  Darlene Zoller and Colin Britt have again teamed up to bring you a sensational song and dance show.


To get you in the mood, the cast has produced a video, which was the brainchild of director Darlene Zoller, who sought creative input from the show's music director Colin Britt and featured performer, Spencer Pond.


This 2:26 video  was filmed in segments, over the course of a week. Filming locations included: Blue Back Square, Falcetti Music Store in Blue Back Square and at rehearsal here at the playhouse.


The track was recorded at Falcetti Music, then Colin Britt and musician Adam Holtzberg spliced the audio and video together.


So come, get your first look at the cast of Playhouse on Park's Swinging on a Star, then get your tickets by calling the playhouse at 860-523-5900 x10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. 


This is our last production of our third season, but we're not done entertaining you yet. We have some hot fun in the summertime scheduled August 3 -11. A different event every night.  All events are only $10.00. Information on those exciting events is coming soon.


The Swinging on a Star video