Center Stage Theatre in Shelton to hold reading of comedy Saturday

SHELTON - This weekend marks the world premiere of a brand-new play – Smiling: a sad, weird, neurotic comedy - at Center Stage Theatre. 

From playwright Ben Souza (2x winner of the Ernie DiMattia Emerging Young Artist Award for playwriting) and Shelton High School senior, Smiling follows Barry Adler, a struggling comedian - trapped in his own thoughts, navigating his life and relationships in New York City. 

The play is a relevant examination of humanity and relationships, questioning where we find true happiness in life.

This performance will be a staged reading at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. 

The theater is at 54 Grove St.

For general admission tickets ($10), please visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/29405/production/1225918...

This is shared from Center Stage Theatre Facebook page.

Derby Public Library to host staged reading of 'Love Letters'

A Live Performance of "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney
Featuring real-life married actors Jessica Chesbro & Matt Austin
April 20 at noon
Please register at https://bit.ly/3wOBmLM

Created to be performed as an engaging staged reading, "Love Letters" was first performed in 1988 at the New York Public Library, then at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven before running on Broadway in 1989 and again in 2014. 

It tells the story of Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, who exchange letters, but not marriage vows, in a warm and complicated friendship lasting 50 years. 

As they sit side-by-side at tables reading the notes, letters and cards – they share their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats – that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.

While many acclaimed actors and actresses have starred in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions of this play, of note is that the 2014 revival of the play starred none other than Derby Troop 3 Boy Scout alum Brian Dennehy alongside Mia Farrow and later Carol Burnett.

"Love Letters" is presented by special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc., New York. 

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Troupe to perform reading of 'A Christmas Carol' in Seymour

Valley Shakespeare Festival to offer staged reading of 'A Christmas Carol'

SHELTON - Join Valley Shakespeare Festival's fifth annual Staged Reading of Charles Dickens' perennial classic "A Christmas Carol" at 7 p.m.  Dec. 7 at Plumb Memorial Library.

Audience members will join Ebenezer Scrooge on his transformational journey through his own personal darkness of bitterness and disillusion on that fateful Christmas Eve and emerge with him on that brilliant Christmas morning with renewed faith in humanity.

Presented without elaborate period costuming and staging, VSF's production puts the emphasis on the true meaning of the story.

The Library is at 65 Wooster St.

*Information shared from a Facebook event page.