Reynolds Review
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REYNOLDS REVIEW: 2019-2020 Bushnell Theater Season: What shows you don’t want to miss! As the hit tune from the musical states, put on your “Sunday Clothes!” However, before you do, stop whatever you are doing and buy a ticket to Hello Dolly. Seriously. You will not regret it. I saw this gem of a musical last year on Broadway with the incomparable Bette Midler. (Inside scoop: The night that I attended Hello Dolly, Bette mixed up a few lines – accidentally calling Gavin Creel (who played the role of Cornelius Hackle) “Gavin” several times throughout the scene. Hilarious! She eventually realized and muttered, “Oh, whoever you are!”. This is why we LOVE Bette Midler. She is completely unashamed about her total wit and charismatic disposition. She ended up leaving the stage a few times and re-entering to correctly name him “Cornelius”. The audience went wild. She laughed her head off. Ticket well spent!) Betty Buckley (who you might know from Cats or Sunset Boulevard) started the national tour last year, and it was just recently announced (hot off the press!) that she will hand over the coveted role of Dolly Levi to the ah’mazing Carolee Carmello. Carmello (with 16 Broadway credits to her name) will dazzle audiences starting in September 2019. I am stoked to see Carolee in this role! Hello Dolly will play the Bushnell Theater November 12th through November 17th. Did I say buy a ticket yet? Two quick mentions! Anastasia will play the Bushnell January 14th through January 19th. I am lucky to have a former student in this tour – Ronnie Bowman. It just shows that these incredible artistic opportunities do happen, and they will happen for our students here at Kingswood Oxford, too! Ronnie graduated from the HARTT School of Music with a BFA in musical theater, and it wasn’t too long before he was already teaching and then booking national tours (both A Chorus Line and now Anastasia). It reminds me that students in the Hartford area truly do make it big. KO students – this could be you! Dear Evan Hansen….. what a roller coaster of emotions - in all the right ways! If you are looking for an incredible journey from start to finish – this is the show for you. Bring tissues for both the laughing and crying. This little musical was the winner of six Tony Awards (2017) including Best Musical. The Broadway production was led by the wonderfully talented Ben Platt (listen to his new album if you can! Sing to Me Instead – highly recommended!) and should be no surprise to you that this musical that was named by the Washington Post as “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” is still playing on the Great White Way in addition to the national tour. Luckily, you can snag a ticket right here in Hartford! Dear Evan Hansen plays the Bushnell Theater May 19th through May 24th. .