Award-winning comedy makes Northeast premiere at Curtain Call.

Curtain Call presents the Northeast premiere of "A Jukebox for the Algonquin," the 2023 Wilde Award winner for Best New Play. Written by Connecticut native Paul Stroili and directed by Lynne Colatrella, this serious comedy runs May 1-18, 2025, in the Dressing Room Theatre located at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06905.

Set in a senior living community in the Adirondacks, this witty and poignant play follows a group of former Brooklyn and Bronx residents who refuse to surrender to the quiet life. Through their rebellious plot to prove that "aging is not a New York state of mind," audiences will experience a story about sex, drugs, and rocking chairs that critics have called "side-splitting and captivating" (Sun Times News).

Stroili is the recipient of several awards for this play including The Wilde Award for Best New Play (Encore Michigan), The True West Award: Impact Play (Denver Gazette), The Osca Award for Best New Play (Onstage Colorado).

“A ROLLICKING GOOD TIME…this witty comedy/drama is a blast.“ ANN ARBOR OBSERVER
“JUKEBOX sparkles… a classically structured, beautifully written play." ENCOREMICHIGAN.COM

“A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD COMEDY…that delves into deeper stories…side-splitting and captivating.“ SUN TIMES NEWS

The production’s director, Lynn Colatrella shared, “I am always grateful to come home to Curtain Call and direct. I especially love the DRT with its staging challenges as a 3/4 round stage. ‘A Jukebox For The Algonquin’ is funny, charming and heartfelt. The characters remind me of boomers everywhere. I promise this show will bring you joy, as it has for all of us on and off the stage."

“From the first time I read the script three years ago, I knew I wanted to work on the show,” said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call’s executive director. “It’s funny, it’s real, it’s poignant and provides a great look at how people’s lives can change for the better when surrounded by others, rather than living in isolation,” he added.

“Paul performed his one man show, “Straight Up with a Twist” two different times here about 20 years ago - and audiences LOVED his work - so when he told me he had written a new play, I just knew it was going to be wonderful - and it is," Ursone said. “And it’s not just a show for ‘boomers’”he added.

Curtain Call’s May production features a talented cast including Ellen Krinick-Porto as Annie, Phil Lorenzo as Chuck, Jim Parry as Dennis, David M. Tate as Johnny, Gail Yudain as Josefina, Jessie Gilbert as Peg, and Paul Valenti as Tyler.

A special post-show talkback session with playwright Paul Stroili will follow the May 10 evening performance. Stroili, a resident artist at Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Theatre, where the play celebrated its world premiere, brings decades of experience in theatre, film, and television to this production.

Performance Schedule:
Evening Shows (7:30 PM): May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
Matinees (2:00 PM): May 4, 11, 18
Seating is cabaret-style with a Bring Your Own Everything picnic format. Doors open one hour before show time.

Tickets are available online at CurtainCallinc.com or by calling the Box Office at 203-461-6358. There is plentiful on-site parking and two restaurant partners: The Royal Green Restaurant and The Stillery. (Call for special restaurant offers at 203-998-7225.)

Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP ten years running in the Annual Readers' Poll of the Fairfield County Weekly and has received similar “BEST OF” awards from Stamford Magazine and StamfordPlus magazine for 2008 through 2024. Curtain Call received The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County in 2016.