ON CT & NY THEATRE

Marlene S. Gaylinn June 2012 CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Preview Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport CT Dralion is the unusual title of Cirque Du Soleils new presentation at Bridgeports Webster Bank Arena. If you are wondering what the word means, its simply a contraction of two words dragon and lion. The combination represents harmony between Eastern and Western cultures. But thats just the theme of this great extravaganza that combines the artistry of circus performers with the most creative elements of costume design, magical stage sets and live, haunting music which includes songs with indefinable words dont worry, its not your hearing thats at fault. In Dralion the harmony of cultures extends to nature and its four major elements thus air is blue; water is green; fire is red; earth is ochre. When humans and nature are one, total balance is achieved. And so, performers are dressed in appropriately colored, costumes while exhibiting specialized balancing, tumbling, juggling, aerial acts, dancing etc. There are elaborately attired gods and goddesses and some child performers are included as well. The costume fabrics are imported from all over the world and all sorts of materials are used as adornments-- including a chest plate made of bugs that were glued on. This Canada-based company applies intriguing titles, in order to allow greater creativity and individuality to its numerous productions that travel simultaneously around the world. Although the acts are about the same, each show, like its

mysterious title, is a unique masterpiece of choreography and stagecraft. In this way, theres always something excitingly new and fresh to tickle your senses. Dont miss this fantastic pageantry, which is fit for the entire family to enjoy. Plays June 13-17 Webster Arena Bridgeport Tickets: 1-800-745-3000 MAME East Haddam CT The show Mame, is like building a baseball field in the wilderness. If you play a Jerry Herman musical at Goodspeed the audience will come. The composer of Hello Dolly, La Cage Aux Folles and other Broadway shows wrote the spirited music and lyrics and Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee are responsible for the book, which is based on the novel by Patrick Dennis. In Mame a wealthy aunt whose philosophy is to live life to the fullest, is entrusted with raising her orphaned nephew. This unconventional woman forms a strong bond and encourages her 10-Yr. old charge, Patrick, to experience a full life by introducing him to a variety of her friends, teaching him to make a perfect Martini (not to drink it of course) and taking him on a world tour that includes sights youngsters are not usually exposed to. To her chagrin, when Patrick grows up and attends college, he opts to engage with a silly girl from a narrow-minded, Darien CT, upper-class family. Naturally, Patricks desires and Mames values clash violently. Its now up to the clever auntie to expose the meaning of pretentiousness--which she manages to accomplish with dramatic flare. There are some sub-plots, which are amusing but unimportant. At Goodspeed, you wont be able to take your eyes off Louise Pitre, the Tonynominated star of Broadways Mamma Mia. As Mame, her perfect figure looks dazzling in the fabulous, 1920s costumes created for the actress and the cast by Gregg

Barnes. Pitres white hair, gown, and a luxurious, silver fox stole are a particularly stunning combination. Under Ray Rodericks direction, Pitre sings, dances and interacts warmly with her stage nephew, Patrick, who is played by an equally talented and adorable cherub, Eli Baker. Open a New Window and My Best Girl are solid, star-quality duos that raise heavy, audience applause. While shes pretty to look at and strong in the main production numbers, there are times when Pitre seems to be pacing herself now I go here and say that, then I go there and do that. During the Peckerwood estate scenes the actress stands among the Southerners looking bewildered at what to do next. It doesnt help any when the male ensemble of singing /dancers, outfitted in riding habits and top hats, are a rag-tag group that comes in all shapes and sizes. They try to lift their legs uniformly but mainly pose on the wooden, stadium steps like amateur ball players. Otherwise, Judy Blazer is Mames wisecracking, actress friend, Vera Charles.The Moon Song which features Blazer and Pitre in a series of stage mishaps will have you rocking with laughter and the antagonistic Bosom Buddies number also has the pair playing off each other quite well. Kirsten Wyatt plays the nave nanny, Agnes Gooch, and steals the second act when she reveals how she followed Mames advice and opened her own wide window to the world (and accidentally got pregnant). The transition from the child to the adult Patrick, played by Charles Hagerty, is mastered with finesse and the actor plays his role with tender sensitivity. As a result of its widespread popularity, Mame was extended through July 7. Tickets: 860-873-8668