Director Kelly O’ Donnell steers West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park’s production of Kate Hamill’s Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson- APT. 2B into success. This hilarious and brilliantly cast show pokes fun at the age old rivalry between Britain and America while quipping through the rigmarole of a day in the life of a deductive consultant or professional hypothesizer. Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson APT. 2B takes on the beloved dynamic of Holmes and Watson’s adventures, but set in today, and also London during a post-Covid spring 2021.Director Kelly O’ Donnell steers West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park’s production of Kate Hamill’s Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson- APT. 2B into success. This hilarious and brilliantly cast show pokes fun at the age old rivalry between Britain and America while quipping through the rigmarole of a day in the life of a deductive consultant or professional hypothesizer. Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson APT. 2B takes on the beloved dynamic of Holmes and Watson’s adventures, but set in today, and also London during a post-Covid spring 2021.

The vintage of Italy meets the vintage of history in Ferrari. The story of Enzo Ferrari unfolds under the direction of Michael Mann and takes audiences behind the scenes of the glory of what the Ferrari brand has been, by way of what it has suffered.

This is what dreams are made of— toy soldiers battling mice, dancing snowflakes, a land of sweets, and a Pas De Deux with a sugar plum fairy. The tradition of The Nutcracker Ballet meets Stamford, Connecticut’s gorgeous Palace Theatre. Under the direction of Brett Raphael, the Connecticut Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker adds another beautifully executed iteration in observance of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s timeless tale. This production brings to life the enchantment of Christmas, the joy of the theater, and the beauty of ballet.

Even the season of perpetual hope is no match for war torn families, as we see in New England Ballet Theatre’s poignant presentation of The Fantastic Toyshop at the Theater of Performing Arts in Hartford. Director and choreographer Rachael Gnatowski skillfully unravels the dichotomy between the wonders of a magical toyshop and the somber reality of war-torn families during the Christmas season.

Hertfordshire descends upon Hartford in this rendition of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice put on by The Hartford Stage. The Regency receives a breathtaking reimagining in this production, fusing the old-world charm of a 1700s parlor with the vibrant Spanish-style decor of this "radical adaptation." Director Tatyana-Marie Carlo’s vision is a theatrical delight as she fortifies Austen’s place among the greats, confirming that the relevance of Pride and Prejudice goes beyond the propriety of the era in which it was first penned— it transcends tradition.

Hope is a waking dream, but every light casts a shadow. The New England ballet Theatre’s production of The Red Shoes at the Aetna Theatre at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art narrates a tale of ambition and obsession, as a ballerina grapples with the shadows that follow her relentless pursuit to replace the fallen Étoile, all while being consumed by her irresistible craving for a sinister pair of blood-red ballet shoes. Gnatowski's vision astoundingly captures the tragic essence of desire and sacrifice, making The Red Shoes a remarkable success that delves into the depths of the human psyche and artistic devotion.

Who needs enemies when you have a group of friends like that of Charlie and Myra Brock? Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” directed by Rob Esposito, shakes up Shelton, Connecticut's Center Stage Theatre. This uproarious production delves into the chaos and intrigue of an anniversary dinner party that quickly spirals out of control. In a world where the lives of the upper-class are examined through a lens of comedy, "Rumors" successfully reveals the double-edged nature of close friendships, where your nearest allies can become your fiercest foes.

The shadows have received a reputation as an undesirable place to be. We want only what the light touches. It’s only in those moments when we stand toe to toe with an enemy, a fear, or the uncertainties of life and big brother’s shadow envelopes us, stepping up to take on all that we can’t, that the shadows signify peace and rest. What happens when Big Brother goes where you can’t follow? What happens when Big Brother’s shadow is no more?

The things we love change and the way we love them inevitably changes too— whether it’s our family structures or the lead of a production we hold dear, there’s room to let in the new.

The story of Jesus is a tale-as-old-as-time and it’s easy to lose the message of the cross and to relegate it to religion and or historical politics. The 12, ultimately refocuses that crucifixion story in a way that reminds us all what the purpose of the sacrifice was from the start —us.

The classics became classics at a time long before we had a say in what we liked. Much of what circulates in the literary world was forced on us in high school classrooms before the themes could take proper root in our lives— that includes the works of Jane Austen.

Representation of Hispanic and Latine culture in the arts is a labor of love, according to Caraballo, one that she and the rest of the team gladly take on. Viva Broadway asks questions that can only be answered by time and progress. Among those questions are, what can the stories of Hispanic and Latine culture add to the culture of theater that Hispanic and Latine people can’t deliver themselves?

The recurrence of the perfect sandwich discussion, amid their respective and communal trials, is like a trick candle, reigniting each time we think their hope has been put out. The war between their “we leave the pain in the pan” and Clyde’s “don’t get too high on hope” resonates with us all. 

You can catch a showing of Clyde’s at Theaterworks Hartford , extended through August 5th. 

Bandstand shouts the boys are back in town. The progression of camaraderie through sadness and terror, the timely funny moments popping up again and again makes us feel like we are part of the show. This feel-good story is our hope for all of our soldiers that come back home, that there’s friendship, joy, and love to be found in their second act— despite what we know to be true.

"The one true error in the [Me Too] movement was all of the women who weren’t called to the carpet for their crimes because young men are socialized to wear attention from older women as a badge pinned to the sash of their manhood."

Ellie was the voice we all have in our heads; the desire for freedom when what we need to maintain a sense of stability is for our professionalism to beat away the imposter syndrome. The dynamic between the visiting Ellie and her sister, Gwen, play on the very real spar we all have with our work-life balance.