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

Something for Everyone

Playhouse on Park's latest production, Metamorphoses does indeed have something for everyone, something everyone already loves, such as music, humor, beauty, fine physiques and a pool. Our production of Metamorphoses is a contemporary adaptation of the Greek and Roman transformation, adapted by author and playwright Mary Zimmerman from the works of the Roman poet, Ovid.

On our 32 by 32 foot stage we have constructed a pool, four feet high and 16 by 16 feet wide, surrounded on all sides by a redwood deck.  It is here that a young, attractive, talented and very physical cast of five men and five women move gracefully in and out of the water, telling these ten transformational myths that will mesmerize you and make you laugh. Each transformation is also related in many different ways to the redemptive power of love.

The pool is a part of the stage because the water constantly changes from peaceful and calm to ferocious and violent, just like the play.  The pool represents, among other things, the river Styx, a river of hate that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead. It is said that the river Styx winds around the underworld nine times.

Divine lighting adds more emotion in to these already compelling  stories. For the perfect blend of lighting and humor, with a contemporary theme is the appearance of the sun god Apollo played by David Goldman. Apollo emerges with brilliant sun-like lighting, wearing a gold vest and applying suntan lotion to his face as his son Phaeton played by Harrison Greene, who is seeking guidance from his therapist played by Amelia Campbell, about some typical father/son angst. i.e. wanting to borrow the car, or in this case, his father's chariot.

The greed of King Midas, played by Troy Peckham was granted the "golden touch" everything he touched turned to gold. This reward has an unintended consequence after his daughter jumps in to his arms.

Quinn Warren's movement as the approaching and consuming "hunger" of King Erysichthon played by Eric Whitten is beautifully haunting. She clings to him as he thrashes  around the pool, attempting to satisfy his insatiable appetite.

Metamorphoses is an enthralling mix of drama and comedy, that along with the pool, the lighting, the costumes and sometimes lack of costumes are all accentuated with live music provided by musician and composer Richard Hollman. Mr. Hollman recently appeared in our production of the Mystery of Irma Vep, alongside Sean Harris, who directed  Metamorphoses.

Richard, Rich or Richie, depending on his task, opens the show, humorously taking care of theatrical housekeeping, then adding his own "touch" which you can experience with a donation to Playhouse on Park.

Ashley C. Williams, Melissa Kaufman, Jillian Rorrer, and Justin Sease round out the incredible cast.

In closing, I would like to say that if you are a fan of provocative and daring professional theater staged by a cast and crew with a fervent devotion to their craft, then you owe it to yourself to see Metamorphoses.  There is just one week left to see this amazing piece of theater.

Tickets are available at our box office.  Reserve your seat by calling us at 860-523-5900 x10. Ordering online at www.playhouseonpark.org or visiting us during business hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm. We have the most affordable ticket in town to the most intimate venue in town.

Discounts are available for students, seniors and Let's Go Arts members. Students can purchase "Student Rush" tickets fifteen minutes prior to curtain for $10.00, cash only with a valid student I.D.. Everyone else can get a $10.00 ticket thanks to our "Lunch Time Special". All you have to do is visit our box office between 12:00 to 1:00pm the day of a performance and get a ticket to that night's show for only $10.00. What a deal!

Up next is the Johnny Burke Musical "Swinging on a Star". Coming soon is the announcement of our fourth season. Stay tuned to this blog for the details on that and many other things happening at Playhouse on Park.

Tickets and Televisions

In our own special way, we're all winners, that trophy you got as a child, even if you lost the game proves it.  While the people listed below didn't win a trophy, they did win some cool stuff.

Perhaps you visited us at our booth at Celebrate West Hartford.  There you'd learn everything we're doing at Playhouse on Park and boy it's a lot.  You could also enter two win two free vouchers for any of Main Stage or Young Audience shows.  Here are the lucky recipients of those vouchers from Celebrate West Hartford. All are West Hartford residents.

Anna Corvaglia

Julia Ekwall

Rena Epstein

Lily Hollertz

Linda Leimberger

If you saw our last production of Golda's Balcony, then you know that six televisions were used to help tell Golda Meir's remarkable story. We held a drawing after each performance, where patrons could enter to win one of the televisions.  Below are the lucky winners:

Melissa Cummings

Nancy Dorchester

Kevin Kickery

Dorene Sikorski

Christina Steinhauser

Fred Tilden

Congratulations to all our winners, enjoy your tickets and televisions. Next time you see us at an event, stop by and find out what's new and enter our drawings, the next winner could be you.