Coming to Theaters in Time for the Holidays

Compiled by Connecticut Critics member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

Seven Angels in Waterbury is our local Equity theater. Semina De Laurentis has recently been replaced by Constantine Pappas and Craig David Rosen as the leaders of the theater located in Hamilton Park. After opening the current season with “Lucky Stiff,” 7A will be presenting Joe DiPietro's “Art of Murder,” a Litchfield-based murder mystery running November 14 - November 30 sevenangelstheatre.org

The magnificent Palace Theater in Waterbury will bring “Clue” (The Ultimate Whodunnit) December 16 - 18. On December 13, the Woodbury Ballet will present The Nutcracker 2025 on the Palace Theater stage. palacetheaterct.org

The Warner Theater in Torrington has opened a murder mystery called “Death by Design” on their second stage, the Nancy Marine Studio Theater. It continues through Nov. 16. warnertheatre.org

There is a brand new community theater opening in Cheshire. The Cheshire Town Players will present “Blythe Spirit” at the Watch Factory Shop Reading Room Nov. 13 - 16. cheshiretownplayers.org

The Brookfield Theatre will present the musical “She Loves Me” through Dec. 6. brookfieldtheatre.org

A hidden gem in Southington is the Arts at Angeloria’s, a beautifully restored Victorian home that is an art school that produces ambitious shows. “A Christmas Story” opens on Nov. 21. theartsatangelorias.com

I began writing theater reviews to support the Phoenix Stage Company when it opened here in Naugatuck. It eventually moved to the former Clockwork Repertory Theatre in Oakville. Unfortunately, the Phoenix Stage will be closing for good after hosting The Bright Young Things cabaret performance of “Villians’ Night Out” this weekend.
phoenixstagecompany.org

I always recommend university productions as an inexpensive way to see quality productions. NVCC in Waterbury, now CT State - Naugatuck Valley, will perform “Jesus Christ Superstar” next weekend. showtix4u.com/events/nvcc

The WAMS Theater Department will perform “Chicago: Teen Edition” on the stage at the Palace Theater the weekend of Nov. 21. palacetheaterct.org

I also highly recommend anything produced by the Theater Dept. at the VPAC on the Westside campus of WestConn in Danbury.linktr.ee/wcsutheatre

At my alma mater, Sacred Heart University, the annual tradition of “A Christmas Carol: A Family Ghost Story” returns colder, sharper, and more haunting than ever before. Replacing John Ratzenberger will be Broadway’s Eddie Korbich as Scrooge in this stirring retelling of Dickens’ classic story of guilt and redemption written by a SHU alum. Tickets are available online through the Edgerton Center Box Office. edgertoncenter.org

Just in time for the holiday season, Lake Compounce will be offering Holiday Lights for the final time this season. lakecompounce.com

A unique murder mystery will be performed aboard a trolley at the Shoreline Trolley Museum. “Who Sleighed Santa?” runs Dec. 6 through the weekend after New Years. Advance Tickets https://www.ticketleap.events/.../WhoSleighedSanta2025

Landmark Community Theatre will offer “Miracle on 34th Street” beginning on Dec. 6 landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

Shakesperience on Bank Street in Waterbury will reprise “The Gift of Peace” Dec. 11 - 13. shakesperience.org

If you want to make the trek to Goodspeed Musicals, they are performing “White Christmas” Nov. 14 through Dec. 31. goodspeed.org

The Golden Years Theater Company is a community theater group for performers aged 60+. The first year the seniors put together a production of “Grease” and then tackled “Peter Pan,” and yes, there was flying. This summer they did the musical “Oliver!” and next year Director Bob Tansely has announced that they will be doing “9 to 5.” Everyone who signs up is accepted into each production.
bobtansley1949@gmail.com