For over 40 years, Stamford mayors have supported the performing arts in town by playing a cameo role in an annual summer youth theatre show. Since Curtain Call started its Summer Youth Theatre program, mayors Stanley Esposito, Dannel Malloy and now Michael Pavia have all done their part. Pavia performed in KISS ME KATE, Saturday night, August 11.
Since 2001, Curtain Call executive director Lou Ursone has written a scene specifically tailored to the sitting mayor and issues of local relevance. In this year's performance, fun jabs at Pavia's discussion of switching parties brought a huge laugh from the sold out crowd. Other comments about boatyards, fireworks displays, his love of motorcycles and more - all in good fun - brought more laughs from the audience.
"I love writing these short scenes each year," Ursone said. "All of the mayors have been great sports about making fun of themselves and other local issues," he added. Ursone's favorite scene to date was having then Mayor Malloy dressed in full Scottish kilt enter the stage reading a map in the 2003 production of BRIGADOON. When asked by the youth members of the cast what he was looking for, his response was, "I'm trying to figure out how to get to Hartford."
KISS ME KATE is a 1948 Tony-Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and the conflict on and off-stage between Fred Graham, the show's director, producer, and star, and his leading lady, his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi. A secondary romance concerns Lois Lane, the actress playing Bianca, and her gambler boyfriend, Bill, who runs afoul with some gangsters. Performances continue August 15, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30pm plus a 2:00pm performance on August 18. Tickets are available through the Curtain Call Box Office at 203-461-6358 or online at www.curtaincallinc.com. Tickets are $29 for adults, $22 for senior citizens and $14.50 for students and children.
The 40th Anniversary Season of shows in The Kweskin Theatre kicks off with the Neil Simon / Marvin Hamlisch musical comedy, THE GOODBYE GIRL, playing September 14 through October 6. Discounted Flex Passes are currently on sale which offer up to a 25% discount.
Curtain Call is the nonprofit, professionally-run, community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions and educational workshops are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre. Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County’s BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 2005 through 2012 in the Annual Readers’ Poll of The Fairfield County Weekly as well as BEST LOCAL THEATRE by StamfordPlus magazine for the past five years. Curtain Call also received The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Culture and Tourism for 2011.
