Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) Artistic Director Terrence Mann and Executive Producer Matthew J. Pugliese are pleased to announce the lineup for the 2019 Nutmeg Summer Series. The third season under the artistic leadership of three-time Tony Award nominee Mann will include, \u201cMamma Mia\u201d and \u201cCabaret.\u201d The Nutmeg Summer Series will run June 6 through July 21.<\/p>\n
Artistic Director Terrence Mann said, \u201cWe\u2019re trying to find that perfect mix of shows \u2013 providing a balance that is fun, entertaining \u2013 but also smart and relevant.\u00a0 We\u2019re making a few changes this summer.\u00a0 Our audiences repeatedly tell us, \u2018it\u2019s just too hard to have time to see everything you offer in the summer\u2019 or \u2018we wish that the shows would run longer.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to find that perfect mix of shows \u2013 providing a balance that is fun, entertaining \u2013 but also smart and relevant.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In order to allow for the longer performance runs, CRT is offering two shows this summer, each running for an additional week longer than they have in the past.\u00a0 An additional change is the 7pm curtain on weeknight performances.<\/p>\n
The summer series begins with the smash-hit musical Mamma Mia!<\/em>\u00a0 Terrence Mann will direct and Mary Ann Lamb (CRT\u2019s Disaster!, FX Fosse\/Verdon<\/em>, Broadway\u2019s Chicago<\/em>) returns to choreograph.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really trying to make our audience feel heard.\u00a0 The last two years, when I spoke with patrons at the theatre, and when we polled audiences, Mamma Mia!<\/em> was overwhelmingly the most requested show,\u201d added Mann.<\/p>\n
Conceived by Judy Craymer and written by Benny Andersson, Bj\u00f6rn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson, the story-telling magic of ABBA\u2019s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship into an energetic and fun night of theatre. On the eve of her wedding, Sophie reads her mom\u2019s diary, only to discover that the father she has never met could be one of three men! The wedding invitation brings Sophie\u2019s three possible dads to the Greek Isles in search of the life that could have been with Sophie\u2019s mother, Donna.<\/p>\n
The summer concludes with the iconic musical extravaganza, Cabaret<\/em>, directed by Peter Flynn (CRT\u2019s Sweeney Todd<\/em>) and choreographed by Christopher d\u2019Amboise (CRT\u2019s Newsies, Jesus Christ Superstar<\/em>), with music direction by Ken Clifton (CRT\u2019s Sweeney Todd<\/em>).<\/p>\n
Willkommen to Cabaret! In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. A young American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, tentatively begins a torrid romance with the English lounge singer, Sally Bowles.\u00a0 With the Emcee\u2019s bawdy songs as wry commentary, CABARET explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin\u2019s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. As powerful today as when it opened on Broadway and garnered 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Join CRT in the legendary Kit Kat Klub for this smart, sexy musical featuring the enduring songs \u201cCabaret\u201d, \u201cMaybe This Time,\u201d and \u201cDon\u2019t Tell Mamma.\u201d<\/p>\n