Jay Hilton News

Goodspeed Musicals has announced this year's cast of A Connecticut Christmas Carol - the musical treat infused with Connecticut flavor by LJ Fecho and Michael O'Flaherty. Perfect for the holidays, A Connecticut Christmas Carol, the family-friendly take on the Dickens classic, will return to The Terris Theatre December 4 - 28, 2019. This production is supported in part by the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Masonicare at Chester Village and GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corporation.

Sometimes, being unafraid to be yourself can be the key to unlocking your true potential. Never has that been truer than in the story of BILLY ELLIOT, currently playing (through November 24) at the Goodspeed Opera House. In this, its final production of the season, Goodspeed brings to life the hit musical (with music by Elton John and book/lyrics by Lee Hall) about a young boy in a coal-mining town in northern England in the 1980's, as he discovers a love (and gift) for dance. The result is an exciting, touching, and thrilling experience filled with stellar performances, inspired staging, and a pitch perfect interpretation of the trying times in which the play is set.  

Sometimes being brave means being yourself! This fall Goodspeed Musicals' production of Billy Elliot The Musical will spark with infectious energy. This tour-de-force of dance based on the British movie of the same name, will run September 13 a?' November 24 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. [Official Press Opening will be October 2, 2019].

Sometimes being brave means being yourself! This fall Goodspeed Musicals' production of Billy Elliot The Musical will spark with infectious energy. This tour-de-force of dance based on the British movie of the same name, will run September 13 a?' November 24 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. [Official Press Opening will be October 2, 2019].

There's an old saying from W.C. Fields that says 'Never work with animals or children'. This quote is often assumed to mean that a performer should avoid this, as children and animals can be quite unpredictable and/or unreliable. But based on what I saw on stage during Goodspeed Musicals' latest production of the new musical BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, I think W.C. Fields may have issued this warning because said animals and children just might steal the show right out from under you. In its second production of the season, Goodspeed has opted to mount a relatively new work and introduce audiences to the heartwarming story of two 'Strays', a girl and her dog, on the very same stage where another girl and her dog (ANNIE) premiered 43 years ago. The result? A touching musical that delivers an important message delivered by a strong cast led (yes, led) by an extremely loveable (and talented) canine.

Goodspeed Musicals continues its commitment to innovative, thought-provoking new works with inspiring new musical Passing Through, based on the book Walking to Listen by Andrew Frosthoefel.

This summer Goodspeed Musicals will produce the heartwarming new musical Because of Winn Dixie. This touching tale based on the award-winning novel by Kate DiCamillo will run June 28 - September 1 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn.

Goodspeed Musicals today announces the cast of Hi, My Name is Ben, the inspirational true story of one man who impacted the lives of all those around him without speaking a word.

There are some musicals that simply epitomize the genre. You know the ones - the shows where you have lost count how many times you have seen them, either on Broadway, on tour, or at your local theatre. They are like a part of the family - the favorite uncle or aunt that you are happy to see whenever you are together. One of these shows for me is Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN, the classic that serves as a near-perfect representation of American Musical Theatre. So, it is with excitement, and a bit of trepidation (how will this production fare with all the others in my memory?) that I went to see Goodspeed Musicals latest production. I am thrilled to say that the play feels as fresh as the day it premiered, is as lovely as the "bells on the hill" that feature in one of its most iconic songs, and serves as a brilliant opening to the new season at the Goodspeed Opera House.

Goodspeed Musicals today announces the cast of Hi, My Name is Ben, the inspirational true story of one man who impacted the lives of all those around him without speaking a word.

River City's about to get the last thing they expected ? and the very thing they need ? in The Music Man. Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 2019 season with the rip-roarin' dance-filled classic running April 12 - June 20 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. [Official Press Opening will be May 1, 2019].

Goodspeed Musicals announces the full cast of their new production of A Connecticut Christmas Carol - the musical treat infused with more Connecticut flavor by LJ Fecho and Michael O'Flaherty.

As a fan of musical theatre, there is nothing like sitting down with a favorite cast album and being transported (possibly for the umpteenth time) to fantastic worlds, bygone eras, or dramatic locales. These musical journeys help one forget the worries of day to day life and instead spend a couple hours with a smile on the face and a song in the heart. Imagine if the essence of that experience could be captured and put on stage, and you have the hilarious musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the final show in Goodspeed Musicals' 2018 season. THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is one of those shows with something for everyone. For the die-hard theatre geeks (such as this writer) it is an exciting and thrilling, non-stop nod to the experience that only a musical can provide. But for everyone else, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is just a hands-down great piece of musical theater. With rousing dance numbers, powerhouse ballads, beautiful costumes, magical scenery, and hilarious situations, this is a show that everyone can fall in love with

Go inside rehearsals for Goodspeed Musicals' The Drowsy Chaperone. Check out rehearsal photos below!

Goodspeed Musicals is delighted to announce the cast of the spirited musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. This high-speed spoof will run September 21 through November 25, 2018 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, CT. [Official Press Opening will be October 10, 2018.]

Casting of Goodspeed Musicals' Cyrano is complete. Film and TV actor Blake Jenner will play Christian. He joins previously announced Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, who will play Cyrano alongside film actress Haley Bennett as Roxanne in this bold new musical.

"Please, sir. I want some more." These are the iconic words are spoken by young Oliver Twist at the beginning of Lionel Bart's classic musical OLIVER! This simple ask for more to eat sets Oliver out on a dangerous but exciting journey into a world where his innocence and positive outlook impacts all he meets. These words also sum up the experience of watching OLIVER!, which is the second show in Goodspeed Musicals current season. OLIVER! is a show that excites, enthralls and leaves you, in the end, simply wanting more. OLIVER! is one of those shows that doesn't get produced that often, possibly due in part to the number of children needed to pull it off appropriately, which is why it is thrilling to see Goodspeed give its signature treatment to this classic musical that many may not have experienced before (this reviewer included.)

Casting of Goodspeed Musicals' Cyrano is complete. Film and TV actor Blake Jenner will play Christian. He joins previously announced Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, who will play Cyrano alongside film actress Haley Bennett as Roxanne in this bold new musical.

Charles Dickens' beloved orphan makes his Goodspeed debut in the hope-filled musical set in the dark shadows of Victorian London. Bounced from workhouse to forced labor, Oliver Twist escapes to the streets where he meets Fagin, the Artful Dodger and a band of child pickpockets. Will he find love, home and happiness before it's too late?

A Chicago housewife turns one small step into a giant, life-changing leap in Bartram & Hill's new musical You Are Here. Goodspeed Musicals continues its commitment to innovative, thought-provoking works with this intimate tour-de-force new musical featuring Tony Award nominee Patti Cohenour as Diana, Broadway performers Andrea Frierson as Voice 1 and Stacia Fernandez as Voice 2, and Spamilton: An American Parody starDan Rosales as Voice 3.