For Immediate Release

Contact: Sean Pomposello, spomposello@hartfordstage.org, 860-520-7250

Hartford Stage reschedules Ah, Wilderness! and The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) in response to COVID-19 crisis

MainStage Season delayed until January 2021

HARTFORD, CT — April 15, 2020 — In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Hartford Stage has decided to reschedule the run of Ah, Wilderness! (originally scheduled May 7-31) to October 22–November 15, 2020 and The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) (originally scheduled June 11-21) to October 1-11, 2020.

“In the wake of the global health crisis, and such a lengthy period of uncertainty, we are pleased to put plans in place for these two wonderful and highly anticipated productions for the Fall,” said Hartford Stage’s Managing Director, Cynthia Rider.

Following the two rescheduled productions, Hartford Stage will perform the annual production of A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas (November 27–December 27, 2020) and delay the start of the 2020/2021 MainStage Season to January 2021. The Tony Award-winning theatre’s 6-Play season will be comprised of As You Like It by William Shakespeare; the world premiere of Simona’s Search by Martín Zimmerman; Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous by Pearl Cleage; and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by David Catlin. Exact dates and two additional shows will be announced soon.

“It's a joy to look forward to our return to Hartford Stage, to our theatre, and to experiencing these wonderful productions together.” said Artistic Director Melia Bensussen. “We continue to be present in the lives of our neighbors, patrons, and colleagues through other means during the quarantine, but know that there is no substitute for live theatre. I have no doubt we'll soon find ourselves together at the Stage charged with renewed purpose. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back.”  

Current ticket holders have been contacted by email with information pertaining to which new performance replaces which cancelled performance. Ticket holders who did not receive the email or cannot attend the rescheduled performance are asked to contact the Hartford Stage box office to discuss their options. Alternately, due to extremely high call volume, patrons are encouraged to complete the online form at www.hartfordstage.org/covid-19-update/ and a member of Hartford Stage Box Office staff will reach out directly to all affected ticket holders.

The profound economic impact from the COVID-19 crisis has created serious and long-lasting financial hardships for Hartford Stage, its staff, and visiting artists. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Hartford Stage relies on the generosity of its patrons and community. Individuals and organizations interested in making a charitable gift to help Hartford Stage rebound from this current crisis and bring its community exceptional theatrical programming in the future can do so online at www.hartfordstage.org. Thanks to a group of generous board members, all donations will be matched one to one up to $100,000! 

HARTFORD STAGE

Hartford Stage enters its 57th season with Artistic Director Melia Bensussen and Managing Director Cynthia Rider continuing the theatre’s legacy of artistic excellence by creating theatrical works that enlighten, entertain, and educate.

Renowned for producing innovative revivals of classics, as well as provocative new plays and musicals,  Hartford Stage has earned many of the nation’s most prestigious awards, including the 1989 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Additional national recognition includes honors from the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, American Theatre Wing (OBIE), and the New York Critics Circle.

Hartford Stage has produced over 80 world and North American premieres, including the new musical Anastasia, which enjoyed a two-year run on Broadway; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, winner of four 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical; and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other notable premieres include The Engagement Party by Samuel Baum; Make Believe by Bess Wohl; The Age of Innocence by Douglas McGrath; Seder by Sarah Gancher; Rear Window, adapted by Keith Reddin, and starring Kevin Bacon; An Opening in Time by Christopher Shinn; Reverberation by Matthew Lopez; Big Dance Theatre’s Man in a Case with Mikhail Baryshnikov; and Breath & Imagination by Daniel Beaty. Nationally-renowned titles include the New York transfers of Enchanted April; The Orphans’ Home Cycle; Resurrection (later retitled Through the Night); The Carpetbagger’s Children;and Tea at Five.The leading provider of theatre education programs in Connecticut, Hartford Stage’s offerings include student matinees, in-school theatre residencies, teen performance opportunities, theatre classes for students (ages 3-18) and adults, afterschool programs and professional development courses.

The leading provider of theatre education programs in Connecticut, Education @ Hartford Stage offers student matinees, in-school theatre residencies, teen performance opportunities, theatre classes for students (ages 3-18) and adults, afterschool programs and professional development courses. Education @ Hartford Stage programming reaches approximately 21,000 Connecticut students annually.

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