LATEST UPDATE ON SEASON 12 PROGRAMMING
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Dear Playhouse on Park patrons,
The fourth show in our 5-show Main Stage Season is “KILL MOVE PARADISE” by James Ijames, directed by Dexter J. Singleton.
James Ijames’ New York Times Critics Pick play KILL MOVE PARADISE tells the story of Isa, Daz, Grif and Tiny, four black men who find themselves stuck in a cosmic waiting room in the afterlife. This play, inspired by the ever-growing list of slain unarmed black men and women, is a portrait of those lost—not as statistics, but as heroes who deserve to be seen for the splendid beings they are, and as symbols of life and hope. Gone but never forgotten, Kill Move Paradise illustrates the possibilities of collective transformation and radical acts of joy.
If you are an individual ticket buyer, you have two viewing options:
1. Bring your picnic blanket or beach chair and join us in Bushnell Park in Hartford June 22-25
2. Streaming the play at home during the month of July
If you are a subscriber, our Box Office has sent you an email asking for your viewing preference (outdoor live performance at Bushnell Park, streaming at home, or scheduling a private screening appointment at the Playhouse). We will be reaching out again in the coming weeks with show times, streaming dates, and to schedule appointments for in-theater showings, so keep an eye on your inbox.
Spring is in the air, and Playhouse on Park is looking forward to seeing you in person again! Thank you so much for your continued support. We hope those of you who watched stop/time: Before Time Stopped (a documentary film) enjoyed the peek behind the scenes.
Please pass along this information to anyone else who goes to the Playhouse with you, or who might be interested in learning more about us.
Thank you,
The Playhouse on Park Staff
September 16 - October 4, 2020
Extended through October 11th!
by David Arrow
Directed by Eric Nightengale
This solo play portrays Kennedy during his short, electrifying campaign for President of the United States. Told from Kennedy’s perspective, the play follows Bobby from his announcement to enter the race on March 16, 1968, to his last speech on June 4 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. You will see Kennedy’s most famous and impactful speeches, his private apprehensions, and well as the more personal events during those four exhilarating months of his ill-fated campaign.
December 16, 2020 - January 10, 2021
*Extended to January 10*
by Peter Rothstein with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte
and Timothy C. Takach
Directed by Sasha Brätt
This production will be stream only.
A remarkable true story from the Western Front. All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 relives an astounding moment in history; in a silence amid the combat, a soldier steps into no man’s land singing “Silent Night.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie between the Allied troops and German soldiers. They lay down their arms to celebrate the holiday, share food and drink, play soccer, and sing carols. This dramatic retelling weaves together firsthand accounts of World War I soldiers with patriotic tunes, trench songs, and Christmas carols.
February 10 - 28, 2021
Extended through March 7th
Note: the previously announced CHICAGO is being replaced with this show.
Noël Coward's second act of PRIVATE LIVES speaks to us in a new way with Elyot and Amanda sequestered from the outside world, and finding a lot of time to fill up together. In this very funny and moving adaptation developed by stars Veanne Cox and Ezra Barnes (specifically for Playhouse on Park), these two lovers grapple with hope and fear, memory and desire, song and dance, and love and hate in equal measure.
Valentine’s Day is always complicated. Add in some songs & a pandemic and you have the makings of a perfect Date Night.
March 20 - April 18, 2021
*Subject to change
stop/time - before time stopped is a look back at how one person’s dream and one random act of kindness changed the lives of many.
In 2004, a dream turned into a reality. 17 years later, stop/time dance theater is still going strong. It would take more than a global pandemic to keep this group of performers from pursuing their passion. They may not be together on stage but they’re still finding a way to bring their story to the Playhouse on Park audience.
Go to stop/time: before time stopped page
Live Outdoor Performances
Performance Pavilion, Bushnell Park
Hartford, CT
June 22 - 24, 2021
Streaming Online
July 7 - August 1 (Broadway On Demand)
James Ijames’ New York Times Critics Pick play KILL MOVE PARADISE tells the story of Isa, Daz, Grif and Tiny, four black men who find themselves stuck in a cosmic waiting room in the afterlife. This play, inspired by the ever-growing list of slain unarmed black men and women, is a portrait of those lost—not as statistics, but as heroes who deserve to be seen for the splendid beings they are, and as symbols of life and hope. Gone but never forgotten, Kill Move Paradise illustrates the possibilities of collective transformation and radical acts of joy.
July 28 - August 22
A dark and humorous twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, this Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical interweaves everyone’s favorite storybook characters into a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic.
Be careful what you wish for seems to be the ongoing theme in this comically dark musical, as actions have consequences and sacrifices must be paid.
Featuring the much loved songs Children Will Listen, Stay With Me and No One Is Alone, this enchanting and touching masterpiece was recently made into a smash-hit Disney feature film starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Anna Kendrick and Johnny Depp.
Go to the Into The Woods show page at the Connecticut Shakespeare Festival.
