The Gift of Laughter, Tears, Compassion, Music and History

Live theater is such a gift! I know, it's my job and it bodes well for me to promote and talk up live theater. But, the difference is, I believe it.

I've worked for the non-profit sector most of my entire professional life. Mostly in social services or health-related organizations, but my heart fills up with the arts, and it started for me 24 years ago at the Hartt School at University of Hartford.  Since those few years, I've always wanted to get back to the arts, and happily did so five years ago with the Little Theatre of Manchester.

The bonus was, I also have the privilege of running , the oldest operating theater in Connecticut. This fabulous historic building is a gem and showing it off during performances, or during tours, or whatever, is like bringing out photos of my grandchildren. Oooo, ahhhh, aren't they beautiful . . . yea, it works the same way.

We're tearing the place up at the moment, and doing some much-needed repair work on the stage. No more splinters for the dancers! They're going to be delighted! 

While we make "her" prettier and safer, we can peek inside the nooks and crannies of the stage which are generally hidden from view, behind the long black curtains, scrims, legs and teasers, and see what Cheney Hall's bones are made of. 

Gorgeous wood of various kind, window decor carved at the loving hand of a craftsman from the late 1800s. Beautiful.

So, priviledge aside, when the new season begins in February, the curtains will be up again and the history will be found in little moments between shows.

But I digress, I came today to talk about buying tickets to our 2012 season. I just get caught up in the glory of where we put on these incredible plays! Laughter on the 23rd Floor – Neil Simon's valentine to the comedic geniuses he worked with; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – probably Tennessee William's most famous and most likely his favorite, play; The Vagina Monologues – Eve Ensler's words bring tears of laughter, tears of dispair, contemplation and certainly celebration for women, and for men; then The LTM Music Revue – some of the newest and brightest songs from current musical theater - this is not Rogers and Hammerstein for sure; and our last show of 2012, is the history-making, rousing 1776!  American history comes to life on the stage - lessons to be learned, toe-tapping with buckled shoes!  What fun!

Subscription prices are the best! You can buy a ticket to each of the shows for as little as $62! It's an amazing value, free parking, fantastic performances, in a history-making venue to boot!

Come Play With Us!  860-647-9824  or www.cheneyhall.org.