Monthly Archives: June 2019

Mamma Mia! Opens at Ivoryton Playhouse, Runs Through July 28

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Mamma Mia! cast members (from left to right) Cooper Grodin, Dane Agostinis, Stephanie Gomerez and Billy Clark Taylor rehearse a scene from the show now playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse.

IVORYTON – The Ivoryton Playhouse has been transformed from an historic New England theatre to a Mediterranean island, filled with the music universally loved for over 40 years!

Over 60 million people worldwide have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show.  Set on a Greek island paradise, the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show.

On the eve of her wedding, Sophie reads her mom’s diary, only to discover that the father she has never met, could be one of three men. The wedding invitation brings Sophie’s three dads to the Greek Isles in search of the life that could have been with Sophie’s mother, Donna.

The show is filled with laughter, heart and 22 hit songs including “Super Trouper”, “Lay All Your Love on Me”, “Dancing Queen”, “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, “Take a Chance on Me”, “Thank You for the Music”, “Money, Money, Money”, “The Winner Takes It All”, “Voulez-Vous”, “SOS” and the title track.

The three leading ladies of Mamma Mia!, from left to right, Carly Callahan, Laiona Michelle and Jessie Alagna sing a number in the show now playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse.

As of 2018, the show has productions in London’s West End, where it is the seventh longest-running show in West End history, as well as various international productions. Its Broadway incarnation closed in September 2015 after a 14-year run, making it the ninth longest-running show in Broadway history.

Get swept away by the infectious music, uplifting story, and dazzling dance numbers that have made Mamma Mia! a worldwide phenomenon.

The production stars Laiona Michelle* as Donna. Laiona was seen on Broadway as Nanna in Amazing Grace and in The First National Tour of The Book of Mormon.  Most recently she starred as the legendary jazz icon in the world premiere of Little Girl Blue – The Nina Simone Musical.  Joining her as her best buddies and the other two members of the band are Jessie Alagna* as Rosie and Carly Callahan as Tanya.

Callahan was last seen here in The Fantasticks and The Ivoryton Playhouse ChristmasHour. This is Alagna’s debut in Ivoryton.

Cooper Grodin*, Dane Agostinis* and Billy Clark Taylor* take on the roles of the dads and Stephanie Gomerez and Jack Kay play the young lovers, Sophie and Sky.

Evan Benjamin, Kelley Davies, Nico DiPrimio, Mark Gilchrist, Nicholas Gonzalez, Nigel Hall, Aliah James, Amanda Lupacchino, Melissa McLean, Ana Yi Puig, Carolina Santos Read*, Nathan Russo, Cameron Khalil Stokes, and Audrey Wilson complete this talented and energetic cast.

The production is directed and choreographed by J.R. Bruno and musical directed by David Madore with set design by Glenn Bassett, lighting design by Marcus Abbott and costume design by Elizabeth Saylor.

Mamma Mia runs through July 28. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Additional matinee performances are on Saturday, July 6, and July 20, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $55 for adults; $50 for seniors; $25 for students and $20 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org 

 (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

*denotes member of Actors Equity

Photographer: Jonathan Steele

Oh, What a Night! Summer Solstice Celebrations on Lyme Street Delight Hundreds with Dance, Music and More

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Kipp Sturgeon joins cheerfully in the spirit of the evening as he plays his harmonica in the Ukele Parade that traveled up Lyme Street on Friday evening.

OLD LYME — Despite the vagaries of the weather Friday, more than 500 people of all ages braved the potential rainstorms that never happened and turned out to celebrate the Summer Solstice by enjoying a wonderful Make Music event on Lyme Street.  It all began at Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau where Sunny Train, pictured below, entertained over 100 children and their parents and friends.

All down Lyme Street between Nightingale’s and the First Congregational Church, there were individual musicians playing …

… while folks happily strolled the street …

Groups of two  were all over town …

… on the steps at Patricia Spratt for the Home …

Sophia Griswold played her guitar and sang accompanied by a friend on the saxophone in front of the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe.

… outside the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe …

… in front of the Old Lyme Town Hall …

… outside The Chocolate Shell …

Kipp Sturgeon (left) and Jack Hardesty play the blues.

…in a private yard on Lyme Street …

… and inside the Old Lyme Historical Society.

Trios also played their hearts out in various locations …

… in front of the attorney’s office on Lyme Street …

… in front of The Cooley Gallery …

… and behind the Old Lyme Barber’s Shop.

The String of Pearls big band played in front of Center School to a large audience that included many with picnics and lawn chairs.

… while the Lyme-Old Lyme Lions fed the hungry crowds…

… and down at the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, staff offered children face-painting and crafts galore

The culmination of all the performances was a stroll led by Ramblin’ Dan Stevens and his ukelele from the foot of Lyme Street at the congregational church

Sophia Griswold smiles as she strums her way up Lyme Street.

 

Ramblin’ Dan Stevens (second from right) leads the Ukele Parade.

… up to Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds where sculptor Gil Boro hosted a wonderful contemporary dance show by GUSTO.

Gil Boro (center, seated in sunglasses) enjoys the dance performance by GUSTO.

Again, we say … oh, what a wonderful night!  Kudos to the Old Lyme Arts District and all involved whether as musicians, hosts, cooks or helpers in any way and special thanks to the weather for finally deciding to cooperate!

The Why’s and What’s of Brexit, Find out More at SECWAC’s Presentation Tonight

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Peter Rutland

The Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council (SECWAC) hosts Peter Rutland Thursday, June 27, at the Old Lyme Country Club, 40 McCurdy Rd, Old Lyme, Conn. Rutland will present a talk titled, “Brexit: Why did it happen, and what comes next?”

A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation itself will start at 6 p.m.

Rutland is the Colin and Nancy Campbell Professor in Global Issues and Democratic Thought, and Professor of Government at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

The topic explores the Brexit referendum, which has triggered a constitutional crisis with profound implications for Britain’s political and economic future. It exposed deep flaws in the country’s political system and social identity. Why did the crisis happen, and what does the future hold? Rutland was a visiting professor at Manchester University in 2016 and witnessed the referendum first hand.

The event is free for members and $20 for walk-in’s. Members are encouraged to RSVP online and/or pre-pay securely for guest attendance or dinner. Walk-ins will still be accepted.

Following the presentation, join Rutland, guests, and fellow members for a meal at the Old Lyme Country Club at $35/person. A reservation for dinner is required in advance by the morning of Monday, June 24. Pre-register and pay securely online, call 860-912-5718, or email info@secwac.org to make your reservation (vegetarian option available if reserved in advance).

Checks payable to SECWAC or credit card payment are accepted before the meeting by Courtney Assad.

Learn more at secwac.org.

Carney Hosts Office Hours Thursday Evening in Westbrook

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State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd)

State Reps. Devin Carney (R-23rd) and Jesse MacLachlan (R-35th) along with State Sen. Paul Formica (R-20th) will hold Office Hours throughout the 23rd District on various dates between June 10 and 27.

These events will provide constituents with an opportunity to ask questions or share their ideas and concerns about state government, local issues and the 2019 legislative session which will come to a close on June 5.

The remaining Office Hours schedule is as follows:

Westbrook
Thursday, June 27, from 6 – 7 p.m.
State Rep. Carney & State Rep. McLachlan
Westbrook Public Library
Community Room
61 Goodspeed Dr.

Anyone unable to attend, but who would like to speak to Rep. Carney may contact his office at 800-842-1423 or by email at: devin.carney@housegop.ct.gov.

Carney represents the 23rd General Assembly District, which includes the towns of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and a portion of Westbrook.

Two New Exhibitions on View at Lyme Art Association

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One of the signature paintings in ‘Waterworks’ is ‘Sailing Off Weekapaug Point, Rhode Island’ by Tom Adkins. The medium is oil.

OLD LYME — Visitors of all ages will enjoy Waterworks, the Lyme Art Association (LAA)’s summer exhibition of work by the area’s premier maritime artists. The show will be on view in the beautiful sky-lit galleries from June 14 through Aug. 2.

Gallery manager Jocelyn Zallinger notes, “The peaceful interior of the Lyme Art Association is the perfect venue for marine-inspired art. The artwork, by member artists, takes inspiration from the sea in all its manifestations. Children playing by placid shorelines, boats in raging storms, solitary fishermen, and waves crashing on beaches are likely to be among the works represented.”

Waterworks will be juried by Karen Blackwood, signature member of American Society of Marine Artists.

Concurrent with theWaterworks exhibition, the Hudson Valley Art Association (HVAA) will present its 86th Annual Juried Exhibition. This exhibition includes the finest representational paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture from HVAA’s member artists.

Elizabeth Rhoades’s “An Evening to Remember” in pastel is featured in ‘Waterworks.’

Lyme Art Association Board President Katherine Simmons states, “Waterworks continues an LAA tradition of exhibiting the best of fine contemporary American marine art. We are also very pleased to welcome back the Hudson Valley Art Association and what is sure to be a very impressive show.”

The opening receptions and award presentations for both exhibitions will be held on Saturday, June 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Conn. and will feature great fun, music and refreshments for all.

The LAA was founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists and continues the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork by its members and invited artists, as well as offering art instruction and lectures to the community. Located in a building designed by Charles Adams Platt within a national historic district, admission to the LAA is free with contributions appreciated.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions, purchase of art, art classes, or becoming a member, visit www.lymeartassociation.org or call (860) 434-7802.