Jennifer Del Sole

Review: SPRING AWAKENING at Castle Craig Players

On Saturday, July 27th, I had the pleasure of seeing SPRING AWAKENING as put on by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT. The stellar acting, singing, lighting, and choreography draws the audience right in.  The talented vocalists and skilled musicians combine to create the melancholy and ominous feel behind the music written by Duncan Sheik, with book and lyrics by Steven Slater, setting the tone of the story in a way that captivates the audience and reveals the deep and dark feelings of the characters. The song, 'I Believe,' a full ensemble number at the end of the first act showcases particularly strong harmonies.  Director Oliver Kochol, musical director Jill Brunelle, and choreographer Todd Santa Maria combine their skills to help bring out the best in this highly talented cast.

Photos: First Look At Castle Craig Players Production of SPRING AWAKENING

Castle Craig Players' production of Spring Awakening is set to take the stage July 26 through August 11 at the groups intimate Meriden venue! See photos of the cast. 

Review: THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES DREAM ON at Castle Craig Players

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another first-rate installment of playwright Roger Bean’s Marvelous Wonderettes jukebox musical series, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES DREAM ON, as put on by the Castle Craig Players, at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse, in Meriden, CT. 

Castle Craig Players Presents THE MARELOUS WONDERETTES: DREAM ON This May

'Gooooooo Chipmunks!' Everyone's favorite female foursome is back, as the Castle Craig Players present the all-new jukebox musical The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On, running May 5-20 at the group's intimate Meriden venue! The show mark's the third and final installment in the Wonderette saga, created and written by Roger Bean.

Cast Announced For Castle Craig Players' DOUBT

The Castle Craig Players continue their 30th Anniversary Season with a riveting psychological drama that explores the fine line between truth and ambiguity: DOUBT: A PARABLE by John Patrick Shanley. One of the most acclaimed plays in American theater history, the production runs March 3-19 at the group's intimate Meriden venue.

Castle Craig Players Bring Durang's VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE To Meriden

Christopher Durang's multi-award-winning comedy, 'VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE' romps across the Castle Craig Players' stage May 13-22, as the fourth show in the group's 29th Anniversary Season.

Photos: Castle Craig Players at First Annual CT Community Theatre Conference

A state-wide meeting of community theater groups began the process of forming an alliance which would address ways to overcome challenges and to share resources.

Castle Craig Players To Present ALL TOGETHER NOW!: A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre

Castle Craig Players announced that they will be joining over 2,500 theatrical organizations from all 50 states and over 40 countries in producing their own local production of Music Theatre International's ALL TOGETHER NOW!: A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre.

BWW Review: YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN at Castle Craig Players

On Friday, July 23rd, I had the pleasure of seeing live theatre from the Castle Craig Players, again, their first live show since March of 2020!  Performing outdoors at the Hubbard Park Bandshell, in Meriden, CT, the Castle Craig Players return to live performances, right where they left off, with yet another phenomenal first-rate production, the family friendly 1967 classic musical, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. After seeing this show as presented live by the Castle Craig Players, it has now become one of my absolute favorite musicals!

Castle Craig Players Will Bring YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN To Hubbard Park

Reprising their roles from Castle Craig's 2014 production of the show are Ian Galligan (as Charlie Brown), Jennifer Del Sole (as Sally) and Arthur Canova (as Linus). They are joined by Nick Ciasullo (as Schroeder), Cessa Fontanez (as Lucy) and Stephen Koehler (as Snoopy).

Photo Flash: First Look At THE CASTLE CRAIG CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

In the style of the lavish celebrity-hosted holiday TV specials of yesteryear, THE CASTLE CRAIG CHRISTMAS SPECIAL will stream FREE on YouTube this Saturday, December 12th at 8pm - and BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look from the safe & socially distanced filming!

Ring In The Holidays With THE CASTLE CRAIG CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

In the style of the lavish celebrity-hosted holiday TV specials of yesteryear, THE CASTLE CRAIG CHRISTMAS SPECIAL will stream FREE on YouTube on Saturday, December 12th at 8pm. Gather the family for an evening of festive music, yuletide cheer and some surprises along the way, featuring some of your favorite CCP alumni.

Photo Flash: First Look at Castle Craig Players' A LIGHT IN THE DARK Virtual Concert

Enjoy a first look at 'A LIGHT IN THE DARK: A Virtual Concert of Hope & Inspiration', presented by Meriden's Castle Craig Players, and streaming free on Wednesday, August 12th at 8:00pm on YouTube!

Castle Craig Players Present A LIGHT IN THE DARK Virtual Concert

Meriden's Castle Craig Players are sending a message of hope and inspiration to their wonderful patrons and friends with a special online event - 'A LIGHT IN THE DARK: A Virtual Concert of Hope & Inspiration', streaming free on Wednesday, August 12th at 8:00pm on YouTube.

VIDEO: Castle Craig Players Presents The Quarantined Wonderettes

Meriden's Castle Craig Players have brought back everyone's favorite 'marvelous' quartet to create a brand new new take on the classic song 'Mister Sandman', in response to the current quarantine and COVID-19 crisis.

BWW Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at Castle Craig Players

How far would you go to help a suicidal loved one, especially if that person has already attempted suicide, but survived?  If you had the legal right to make treatment choices on behalf of your suicidal loved one, would you consent to your suicidal loved one receiving an extreme form of treatment that your suicidal loved one is apprehensive to receive? Would you overlook the attempted suicide and treat the situation as a mere poor decision during a rough time?  Could you emotionally handle the responsibility if your decision, either way, adversely impacts your suicidal loved one?  I hope you never find yourself in that situation, but if you do, the show NEXT TO NORMAL, which is running at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse, in Meriden, CT, as put on by the Castle Craig Players, challenges us to think of how we would react if confronted with this reality.  I had the pleasure of seeing this show on Sunday, March 8, 2020.  It is directed by Oliver Kochol and Ian Galligan.

Castle Craig Players Will Continue Their 27th Anniversary Season With NEXT TO NORMAL

One family is about to face the music... Castle Craig Players continue their 27th Anniversary Season with the groundbreaking and award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, running March 7-21, at their newly renovated intimate Meriden cabaret venue.

Photo Flash: Castle Craig Players' GYPSY, Featuring Bob Mackie Costumes

'GYPSY: A Musical Fable' closes out the Castle Craig Players 26th Anniversary Season, running through August 10 at their intimate cabaret venue in Meriden.

BWW Review: GYPSY at Castle Craig Players

On Saturday, July 27, I had the pleasure of seeing the Castle Craig Players production of the musical GYPSY at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT.  This tale, based on a true story, has book written by Arthur Laurents, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  Ian Galligan provides spectacular direction to this phenomenal cast, with the help of Chris Coffey as musical director and conductor of the talented live six piece band, and Erin Coffey as choreographer.

Photo Flash: First Look At Castle Craig Players' GYPSY

It's the story of the quintessential stage mother, her dreams for herself and her daughters, and the daughter who dared live her own dream. a?oeGYPSY: A Musical Fablea?? will close out the Castle Craig Players 26th Anniversary Season, running July 26a?"August 10 at their intimate cabaret venue in Meriden.