All stories by Frank Rizzo on BroadwayStars

Friday, October 23, 2015

'Rear Window' Star Kevin Bacon Peers Into His 40-Year Career by Frank Rizzo

All eyes are usually on Kevin Bacon. "The second I step out of my house, it happens," says the prolific actor at the offices of Hartford Stage, where he is rehearsing for his starring role i…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Thursday, October 15, 2015

'A Wonderful Life'? Yes, But A Goodspeed Gig Also Means The Rural Life by Frank Rizzo

Actors who arrive at the Goodspeed Opera House are often overwhelmed by the beauty of the rural surroundings as they cross the swing bridge to East Haddam and see the glistening white theate…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 04:41PM
Monday, October 12, 2015

'Menopause The Musical' At The Bushnell; 'Hamlet' Live From London On CT Screens by Frank Rizzo

"Menopause the Musical," the little show that proves there's life and laughs amid big changes, is coming back to The Bushnell's Belding Theater on Friday, Oct.16, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 1…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 02:23PM

Berkeley Breathed Talks About The Return Of 'Bloom County' On Facebook by Frank Rizzo

It was a happy day in mid-July for fans of the long-gone comic strip "Bloom County" when they opened Facebook and saw the return of Berkeley Breathed's beloved and honored creation. Since th…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:27PM
Friday, October 9, 2015

Yale Rep's 'Indecent' Celebrates Transformative Power Of Theater by Frank Rizzo

The show: Yale Repertory Theatre co-production of "Indecent" by Paula Vogel at the University Theatre in New Haven. What makes it special: The world premiere will play La Jolla [Calif.] Play…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:40PM
Monday, October 5, 2015

Judy Garland Musical 'Chasing Rainbows' A Highlight Of Goodspeed's Next Season by Frank Rizzo

The road to Oz is heading to Goodspeed Opera House. A new musical about the pre-"Oz" life of Judy Garland will be a highlight of the 2016 lineup of five shows produced by Goodspeed Musicals.…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00PM
Thursday, October 1, 2015

'Book Of Mormon' In New Haven, 'Newsies,' 'Laramie Project' by Frank Rizzo

When the Matt Stone and Trey Parker — the creators of TV "South Park" — announced they were going to write a Broadway musical, a lot of people laughed, and not in a good way. But look wh…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 04:00PM

New Yale Rep Production Examines 'God of Vengeance' Controversy by Frank Rizzo

"It took 30 seconds" for playwright Paula Vogel to say yes when she was asked to collaborate with director Rebecca Taichman on "Indecent," a new work about events surrounding the provocative…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:01PM
Thursday, September 24, 2015

From Intern To Leading Man, Hartt Grad Lands Plum Role In 'Third' At TheaterWorks by Frank Rizzo

Nearly four years ago, Conor Hamill was a freshman college intern at Hartford's TheaterWorks, assisting with props, reading scripts and doing assorted go-fer jobs around the office.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 12:26PM
Thursday, September 17, 2015

List Adam Pascal In Norwalk; 'Tuesday's With Morrie At Playhouse by Frank Rizzo

Was it really nearly 20 years ago when Adam Pascal made his Broadway debut in Jonathan Larcen's watershed musical "Rent" about Bohemians in the East Village of New York City struggling with …

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 02:28PM

Wethersfield's Christopher Shinn Turns To Home For 'Opening In Time' At Hartford Stage by Frank Rizzo

Christopher Shinn sits on a park bench on the long narrow green of Old Wethersfield, surrounded by large lush lawns, historic homes and an atmosphere of small-town serenity, just a short wal…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:11PM
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Sunday, September 13, 2015

@ShowRiz's Checklist: 'The Illusionists,' 'An Opening In Time' by Frank Rizzo

How's tricks? Big, bold and hip, at least that's how "The Illusionists" - seven men in all - are branding themselves as they tour the country following its hit Broadway run last year. (Andre…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 08:00AM
Thursday, September 3, 2015

Funny Men: Talk With Steve Martin; Madea On The Run by Frank Rizzo

Comedian, writer, producer, actor and musician Steve Martin has been a presence at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven for several seasons with productions of his comedies "The Underpants" and "…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 04:08PM
Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Kevin Bacon Announcement Breaks Box Office Record At Hartford Stage by Frank Rizzo

There's nothing like star power to rev up a box office - even during the dog days of summer.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 02:50PM
Tuesday, August 25, 2015

A Friend Remembers Crossword Creator Merl Reagle For His Wit, Warmth by Frank Rizzo

One of my favorite Merl Reagle moments was when he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in support of the 2006 Oscar-nominated documentary about the world of crossword puzzles, "Wordplay."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 08:07AM

Kevin Bacon To Star In 'Rear Window' At Hartford Stage by Frank Rizzo

Kevin Bacon will play the lead in Hartford Stage's premiere of "Rear Window," adapted by Keith Reddin and staged by the theater's artistic director, Darko Tresnjak.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 12:05AM
Friday, August 21, 2015

'The Wiz' At Saint Joseph; 'Bedroom Farce' At Westport by Frank Rizzo

Another British invasion? A new tradition? A mini-rep company? Maybe it's just a reunited gang of terrific actors that John Tillinger has worked with over four very funny British comedies by…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 12:00AM
Friday, August 14, 2015

'Memphis' Among Shows To Catch Before Summer's Over by Frank Rizzo

Summer's nearly over, which means it's the last chance to check out warm-weather programming around the state.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:02PM
Thursday, August 13, 2015

The Kilroys Are Here: Women Playwrights Put Spotlight On Gender Disparity by Frank Rizzo

Women playwrights are counting on parity when artistic directors at not-for-profit theaters across the country choose a season - but so far the numbers haven't added up.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 02:24PM
Tuesday, August 4, 2015

National Puppetry Festival To Honor Carroll Spinney At Six-Day Event by Frank Rizzo

Don't be surprised if you run into Big Bird on the UConn campus next week. Or hear the voice of Duckworth the Butler. Or run into Maria of "Sesame Street."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 11:49AM
Friday, July 31, 2015

TheaterWorks' 'I'll Eat You Last' Is A Tough Chew by Frank Rizzo

The show: "I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers" at Hartford's TheaterWorks.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:00AM
Thursday, July 23, 2015

The Big Names Behind Goodspeed's 'My Paris' by Frank Rizzo

Picture this: Artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec at the center of the colorful, vibrant, raffish Montmartre section of Paris during La Belle Époque, when arts flourished during a period of re…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:05PM
Thursday, July 16, 2015

'Amazing Grace': A Musical's 18-Year Journey From Goodspeed To Broadway by Frank Rizzo

Sometimes you've just got to have a little faith, not to mention determination, luck and even a certain amount of grace to create a musical that makes it to Broadway.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:27PM
Monday, July 13, 2015

'Xanadu' A Fun Summer Stage Party At Connecticut Rep by Frank Rizzo

The show: "Xanadu" at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Nutmeg Summer Series on the UConn campus in Storrs.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:32PM
Monday, July 6, 2015

Broadway's David Pittsinger Stars In Stellar 'South Pacific' At Ivoryton by Frank Rizzo

The show: "South Pacific" at Ivoryton Playhouse

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 02:21PM

Summer Theater Review: ‘Off the Main Road’ with Kyra Sedgwick by Frank Rizzo

Faye Garrit is an immediately recognizable William Inge woman: anxious, unmoored and yearning for something more, whether it be finding a purpose in her superficial life or just making it wi…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:56AM
Sunday, July 5, 2015

Goodspeed's 'La Cage Aux Folles' Inspires A Drag Transformation by Frank Rizzo

When Mark Adam Rampmeyer, Goodspeed Musicals' make-up and wig designer asks me to bring in a picture of my mother for my makeover, I somehow know I won't end up looking like one of the prett…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:12AM
Thursday, June 25, 2015

Maureen Anderman Heads 'Love & Money' Cast At Westport by Frank Rizzo

Maureen Anderman will star in the "world premiere preview" of A.R. Gurney's "Love & Money" at the Westport Country Playhouse. The show runs July 21 to Aug. 8 and is staged by the theater's a…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:31PM
Monday, June 22, 2015

'Peter Pan' Soars On Boy Power In Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Production by Frank Rizzo

The show: "Peter Pan" at Connecticut Repertory Theatre at UConn in Storrs.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 12:04PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
TBA: Titanic