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Lawrence Thelen

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Writer/Director

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Ivoryton Playhouse to Present New Musical, STAR OF FREEDOM

A brand-new musical written by Connecticut writers took the stage in Ivoryton last night to laughter, cheers and standing ovations. STAR OF FREEDOM, with music and lyrics by Jeff Blaney and book by Lawrence Thelen, opened the Playhouse’s 2022 Season beginning April 7.
STAR OF FREEDOM Opens at Ivoryton Playhouse

Rehearsals began this week for an exciting new show at the Ivoryton Playhouse. A brand-new musical written by Connecticut writers is about to take the stage. STAR OF FREEDOM, with music and lyrics by Jeff Blaney and book by Lawrence Thelen, opens the Playhouse's 2022 Season beginning April 7.
New Musical STAR OF FREEDOM Opens Season At Ivoryton Playhouse

Something phenomenal is happening at the Ivoryton Playhouse. A brand-new musical written by Connecticut writers is about to take the stage. STAR OF FREEDOM, with music and lyrics by Jeff Blaney and book by Lawrence Thelen, opens the Playhouse's 2022 Season beginning April 7.
Ivoryton Playhouse Announces 2022 Season

On April 7th, 2022 The Ivoryton Playhouse will open its doors for a new season – a very different season with fewer productions but more performances and a year full of exciting, affordable professional theatre. Plays for romantics and plays for cynics; shows for families and shows for sweethearts; classic hit music from the 50s and 60s as well as country music favorites.
Long Beach Playhouse to Present 26th New Works Festival

On April 1, 2016, the Long Beach Playhouse kicks off its 26th New Works Festival (NWF) in its Studio Theatre.
Playwright Jordan Ramirez Puckett to Receive Abingdon's Wolk Award

Abingdon Theatre Company announces that San Francisco-based playwright Jordan Ramirez Puckett will receive its 2015 Christopher Brian Wolk Award for her play RESTORE. A presentation of the award and staged reading of the play is set for Monday, December 14, at 7:00pm in the June Havoc Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, in Manhattan.
LA CAGE Opens at Ivoryton Playhouse

It's the dog days of summer but in Ivoryton, August is kicking its way on to the scene in feathers, glitter and six inch heels! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the smash hit Broadway musical opened in Ivoryton on August 6th and runs through August 31st. Written by Harvey Fierstein, Jean Poiret and Jerry Herman, the original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. LA CAGE was later turned into a popular movie, The Birdcage, starring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams.
Ivoryton Playhouse to Present LA CAGE AUX FOLLIES, 8/6 - 8/31

It's the dog days of summer but in Ivoryton, August is kicking its way through the heat in feathers, glitter and six inch heels! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the smash hit Broadway musical opens in Ivoryton on August 6th and runs through August 31st. Written by Harvey Fierstein, Jean Poiret and Jerry Herman, the original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. LA CAGE was later turned into a popular movie, The Birdcage, starring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams.
BWW Reviews: Playhouse on Park's HIGGINS IN HARLEM Takes Shaw Uptown

Yoouuuuu can taaaake the A-Train, yooooou can take it all the way to Haaarlem.
Playhouse on Park Presents HIGGINS IN HARLEM, Now thru 3/23

Higgins in Harlem, a modern reimagining of George Bernard Shaw's social commentary masterpiece, Pygmalion, which was the basis for the musical My Fair Lady, makes its world-premiere at Playhouse on Park. This comedic and endearing classic is reset in Harlem in 1938, during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when the affluent Black society of Sugar Hill found itself at odds with the uneducated Blacks of Harlem struggling through the Great Depression. With the energy of the Jazz Age and an entirely African American cast, Higgins in Harlem promises to be a fresh and entertaining twist on a classic.
Playhouse on Park to Present HIGGINS IN HARLEM, 3/5-23

Higgins in Harlem, a modern reimagining of George Bernard Shaw's social commentary masterpiece, Pygmalion, which was the basis for the musical My Fair Lady, makes its world-premiere at Playhouse on Park. This comedic and endearing classic is reset in Harlem in 1938, during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when the affluent Black society of Sugar Hill found itself at odds with the uneducated Blacks of Harlem struggling through the Great Depression. With the energy of the Jazz Age and an entirely African American cast, Higgins in Harlem promises to be a fresh and entertaining twist on a classic.
Editor's Top Picks in Connecticut 2013

As always, Connecticut's professional theaters offerered a bountiful selection of excellent theater in 2013. It's hard to pick just a few, but here are some of the year's standouts from the theaters I cover for BroadwayWorld.com:
BWW Reviews: Strong Cast, Big Band, Profusion of Costumes Turn Ivoryton's DREAMGIRLS into a Dream

Director Lawrence Thelen proves himself up to the challenge, however, with the casting of terrific nonEquity actress Sheniqua Denise Trotman from Huntsville, AL. Her 'I'm Not Going' puts focus on the emotional pain felt by the character and is a powerhouse exploration of the lyrics. In between all that belting. Kudos.
DREAMGIRLS Set for Ivoryton Playhouse, Now thru 9/1

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, the sensational new production of DREAMGIRLS, which opens in Ivoryton tonight, August 7th, tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s girl singing group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune.
DREAMGIRLS Opens at the Ivorytown Playhouse, 8/7-9/1

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, the sensational new production of DREAMGIRLS, which opens in Ivoryton on August 7th, tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s girl singing group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. With music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award winner Tom Eyen, DREAMGIRLS features the unforgettable hits: 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going,' 'One Night Only' and 'Listen.' This Tony and Academy Award winning musical sparkles like never before!
HIGGINS IN HARLEM Premiere, OTHELLO & More Set for Playhouse on Park's 5th Main Stage Season

Playhouse on Park, Hartford county's most affordable and intimate professional theatre, is ready to announce its 5th Anniversary Season. In 2013-2014 the Playhouse will feature 6 productions that will entertain, challenge, and engage audiences.
DREAMGIRLS Set for Ivoryton Playhouse, 8/7-9/1

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, the sensational new production of DREAMGIRLS, which opens in Ivoryton on August 7th, tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s girl singing group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune.
Ivoryton Playhouse to Present THE GRADUATE, Opening Tonight

Mrs. Robinson is donning those famous heels and heading over to Ivoryton for the Ivoryton Playhouse's production of The Graduate, opening on April 18 - May 6th.
THE GRADUATE Opens at Ivoryton Playhouse, April 18

Mrs. Robinson has become an American icon, immortalized not only in Mike Nichols brilliant movie but in the words of Paul Simon's eponymous song. Now Mrs. Robinson is donning those famous heels and heading over to Ivoryton for the Ivoryton Playhouse's production of The Graduate, opening on April 18 - May 6th.
THE GRADUATE Opens at Ivoryton Playhouse, April 18

Mrs. Robinson has become an American icon, immortalized not only in Mike Nichols brilliant movie but in the words of Paul Simon's eponymous song. Now Mrs. Robinson is donning those famous heels and heading over to Ivoryton for the Ivoryton Playhouse's production of The Graduate, opening on April 18 - May 6th.

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