CT Critics Give “Primary Trust” and “Ragtime” Top Honors at 33rd Awards Ceremony

The Pulitzer Prize winning play, “Primary Trust,” a moving, bittersweet drama about loneliness and friendship, which played at TheaterWorks Hartford, and a powerful, emotionally stirring production of “Ragtime” at Goodspeed Musicals took top honors at the 33rd annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards (ctcritics.org) held on Monday, June 23, 2025.

 

TheaterWorks Hartford Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero accepting the CT Critics Circle Award for their production of the Pulitzer Prize winning play, Primary Trust.

The event, which celebrates the work from the state’s professional theaters during the 2024 – 2025 season, was held at the Event Center, Housatonic Community College, in downtown Bridgeport.  The ceremony was emceed by Stuart Brown, President of the CT Critics Circle.

 

“Ragtime” was also honored for Best Director of a Musical (Christopher D. Betts) and Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Wordly).  Rashidra Scott from the Goodspeed Musical “A Christmas Story” received Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

 

“Primary Trust” also garnered a Best Featured Actor in a Play for Samuel Stricklen.

 

The chilling, highly theatrical production of the Hartford Stage production of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” received the most overall awards on Monday night, primarily in the creative categories.  The show was recognized for Costume Design (An-lin Dauber), Lighting (Evan C. Anderson), and Sound Design (Jane Shaw).  Nathan Darrow, as the tormented Dr. Jekyll, received Best Actor in a Play.  Melia Bensussen, the Artistic Director of Hartford Stage, received Best Director of a Play for “Romeo & Juliet.”

 

Three productions from the Westport Country Playhouse garnered awards.  Their deliriously funny “The 39 Steps” won for Best Ensemble.  Erin Noel Grennan received Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as a no-nonsense maid in “Theatre People,” while Anna Louizos was recognized for her lush Scenic Design in “Native Gardens.”

 

Awards for outstanding actress in a play and musical went to Irene Glezos (Musical Theatre of CT’s “Master Class”) and Kate Baldwin (Sharon Playhouse’s “The Prom”), respectively.  Felicia Curry won for her Best Solo Performance in the TheaterWorks Hartford production of “Sandra.”

 

Other winners were Jordan Friend for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Sharon Playhouse’s “Rock of Ages,” Mallory Davis (Best Choreography) for her energetic dance numbers in the Music Theatre of CT’s “White Christmas,” and Camilla Tassi for Best Projections for A Contemporary Theatre of CT’s “Fiddler on the Roof.”

 

Semina De Laurentis, who is stepping down as Artistic Direct of Seven Angels Theatre, received a Special Award honoring her 35 years at the helm of the Waterbury theater.  Lauren Yarger was honored with the Tom Killen Award for lifetime service to the theater. 

 

For the first time, the Annual Awards Ceremony was live streamed.  The recording is available at:  https://www.youtube.com/live/yBrXUMIzgts?si=v2CmLX6d1m-1zwTu

 

Helping to present the awards were Connecticut Critic Circle members Karen Isaacs, Nancy Sasso Janis, and Tim Leininger.

 

The Connecticut Critics Circle was founded in 1990. The statewide organization is comprised of reviewers, writers, and broadcasters that cover the professional theaters throughout the entire state. The annual awards honor the actors, directors, designers and others who help make our professional theater so highly regarded in and outside the state.

About Time - Goodspeed Musicals

The title of the new, engaging musical revue, About Time, playing through Sunday, June 15 at the Norma Terris Theater in Chester, CT, has a double meaning.  First, theater aficionados are saying “About Time” that the composing team of David Shire and Richard Maltby, Jr., whose songs comprise the show, have finished the final piece of their long-awaited, life-cycle trilogy. 

The cast of Goodspeed's About Time. Photo by Diane Sobolewski.

Their first production, Starting Here, Starting Now, from 1977, explored relationships and romance.  The next revue, Closer Than Ever, from 1989, moved to songs about mid-life crisis, second marriages, and unrequited love.  Finally, we have About Time, which looks at the latter part of life, with songs about “people navigating the joys and challenges of growing older while staying young in spirit.”

 

About Time, is performed by a seasoned six-person cast.  Most of the songs are amusing, some laugh-out-loud funny.  But there are also wistful numbers that knowingly connect with the audience.  All the performers have their moment in the spotlight in addition to being paired with fellow thespians.  Richard Maltby, Jr.’s lyrics are both sophisticated and playful.  David Shire’s compositions are tuneful with music that covers a number of different genres.

 

The disarming and entertaining revue gets off to an enthusiastic start with the song, “Show Tune ,” led by the energetic Eddie Korbich with accompaniment by the rest of the cast.  The actor talks about the revue and the inclusion of a thread to connect the evening’s works.  However, besides the tunes wrapping themselves around the show’s theme, much isn’t verbalized until the last number, a reprise of the title number.  Since About Time is still in development, having more dialogue inserted may be something for Maltby and Shire to think about.

 

Issy van Randwyck, Shinnerrie Jackson and Lynne Wintersteller in Goodspeed's About Time. Photo by Diane Sobolewski.

In addition to Korbich, there is Daniel Jenkins (the original Huck Finn in Broadway’s Big River and star of the Maltby and Shire musical, Big), who’s laid-back persona is perfect for the humorous numbers “Smart People” and “Lunch with Linda,” where he is paired with the comedic Issy van Randwyck.  Ms. Van Randwyck, a multi-Olivier-nominated actress, also provides deft comic performances with “All I Wanna Do Is Go Dancing” and, with her female compadres, “Overripe Fruit.”

 

Darius de Haas, a frequent Off-Broadway and Broadway actor, gets into the act with the ode to misplaced items, “Keys.”  Lynne Wintersteller, an original cast member of Closer Than Ever, who can belt with the best of them, is more contemplative in her solos, such as the wistful “No One Will Know” and the empowering “Done.”  Rounding out the cast is Shinnerrie Jackson, whose individual songs lack presence.  However, she shines in the collective numbers.

 

There are some issues the developers should look at: 

• The interludes, while generating laughs, seem awkwardly squeezed in.  “Interlude #2, Password” could be updated and the end of “Interlude #3, Urology” is cheap. 
• Some songs come across as incomplete, like “Just a Home. 
• Act I is more buoyant than Act II, which causes the second half of the show to drag somewhat.

 

Maltby, who also directs the revue, is a Tony Award practitioner of the art (he created and directed Ain’t Misbehavin’).  He guides the show with an easy and knowledgeable pacing and, with the assistance of Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge, adds a dash of light-footed dance sequences.  Mitchell Fenton provides a subtle Lighting Design, and Jay Hilton’s Sound Design ensures all the songs are clear and crisp.

 

Piano/Conductor Deniz Cordell is a virtuoso on the piano (who might want to tone done his sometimes distracting histrionics) and is assisted by Annie Pasqua on Piano II and Scott Chaurette on Bass.

 

About Time, playing at the Norma Terris Theater through June 15.  Click here for ticket information.

“Fever Dreams,” “Primary Trust,” and “Ragtime” Top 2025 Connecticut Critics Circle Nominations

Goodspeed Musicals’ rousing production of “Ragtime” and two plays from TheaterWorks Hartford – “Fever Dreams” and “Primary Trust” -  lead the shows nominated for the 33rd annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards.

The awards event, which celebrates the best in professional theater in the state, will be held Monday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Event Center at Housatonic Community College in downtown Bridgeport.  The event is free and open to the public.  Click here to reserve a ticket to the ceremony.

“Ragtime” received 11 nods, including outstanding musical production, director, leading actor and actress, and four best featured actor nominations.  “Fever Dreams” and “Primary Trust” each earned six nominations, including outstanding play production and director.

Other outstanding play nominees are “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Hartford Stage; “El Coquí Espectacular,” Long Wharf Theatre; and “Master Class,” Music Theatre of CT.

Also earning outstanding musical nods are “Fiddler on the Roof,” A Contemporary Theater (A.C.T.); “La Cage Aux Folles,” Music Theater of CT; “The Prom” and “Rock of Ages,” Sharon Playhouse.

Receiving the annual Tom Killen Award for lifetime achievement in Connecticut theater is Lauren Yarger.  She is a producer, playwright, theater reviewer, and co-founder of the CT Chapter of the League of Theatre Professional Women.  For four seasons, she has produced the Table Reading Series at the Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT.

Receiving a special award is Semina De Laurentis who, after 35 years, will be retiring as the co-founder and Managing Artistic Director of the Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, CT.

The complete nominees are:

Play:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -  Hartford Stage
El Coquí Espectacular - Long Wharf Theatre
Fever Dreams – TheaterWorks Hartford
Master Class - Music Theatre of CT.
Primary Trust - TheaterWorks Hartford

Musical:
Fiddler on the Roof - A Contemporary Theater (A.C.T.)
La Cage Aux Folles - Music Theater of CT
The Prom – Sharon Playhouse
Ragtime – Goodspeed Musicals
Rock of Ages - Sharon Playhouse.

Actor in a play:
Niall Cunningham, “Romeo & Juliet” - Hartford Stage
Nathan Darrow, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” – Hartford Stage
Jon-Michael Reese, “jimmy & Lorraine” – Heartbeat Ensemble
Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., “Two Trains Running” - Hartford Stage
Justin Weaks, “Primary Trust” - TheaterWorks Hartford

Actress in a play:
Carmen Berkeley, “Romeo & Juliet” - Hartford Stage
Vanessa R. Butler, “jimmy & Lorraine” – Heartbeat Ensemble
Irene Glezos, “Master Class” – Music Theatre of CT
Jacqueline Hubbard, “Alabama Story” – Ivoryton Playhouse
Stephanie Machado, “Laughs in Spanish” - Hartford Stage
Samora la Perdida, “Notes on a Killing Seven Oversight…” - Yale Repertory Theatre

Actor in a musical:
Scott Mikita, “La Cage Aux Folles” - Music Theatre of CT
Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo, “Jersey Boys” – A.C.T.
Danny Rothman, “Fiddler on the Roof” – A.C.T.
John Scherer, “The Prom” – Sharon Playhouse
Michael Wordly, “Ragtime” – Goodspeed Musicals

Actress in a musical:
Kate Baldwin, “The Prom” – Sharon Playhouse
Christine Dwyer, “Maggie” – Goodspeed Musicals
Mamie Parris, “Ragtime” – Goodspeed Musicals
Emily Grace Tucker, “Mary Popppins” – S.T.O.N.C.
Danielle Wade, “South Pacific” – Goodspeed Musicals

Director of a play:
Melia Bensussen, “Romeo & Juliet” - Hartford Stage
Gilbert McCauley, “Two Trains Running” - Hartford Stage
Jennifer Chang, “Primary Trust” – TheaterWorks Hartford
Brandon J. Dirden, “Eden” - Yale Repertory Theatre
Rob Ruggiero, “Fever Dreams” – TheaterWorks Hartford

Director of a musical:
Carl Andress, “The Prom” – Sharon Playhouse
Christopher D. Betts, “Ragtime” – Goodspeed Musicals
Kevin Connors, “La Cage Aux Folles” - Music Theatre of CT
Hunter Foster, “Rock of Ages” – Sharon Playhouse
Daniel C. Levine, “Fiddler on the Roof” – A.C.T.

Choreography:
Josh Assor, “Fiddler on the Roof” – A.C.T.
Mallory Davis, “White Christmas” - Music Theatre of CT
Sara Edwards, “Ragtime” - Goodspeed Musicals
Mara Newbery Greer, “A Christmas Story” – Goodspeed Musicals
Krystyna Resavy, “The Prom” – Sharon Playhouse

Featured actor in a play:
Ricardo Chavira, “Primary Trust” – TheaterWorks Hartford
Jimmy Johansmeyer, “Dracula” – Legacy Theatre
Russell G. Jones, “Eden” – Yale Repertory Theatre
Constantine Pappas, “Master Class” – Music Theatre of CT
Samuel Stricklen, “Primary Trust” – TheaterWorks Hartford

Featured actress in a play:
Maggie Bofill, “Laughs in Spanish” - Hartford Stage
Erin Noel Grennan, “Theatre People” - Westport Country Playhouse
Mia Pinero, “Theatre People” -  Westport Country Playhouse
Christina Acosta Robinson, “Eden” - Yale Repertory Theatre
Hilary Ward, “Primary Trust” - TheaterWorks Hartford


Featured actor in a musical:
Jordan Friend, “Rock of Ages” – Sharon Playhouse
David R. Gordon, “Ragtime” - Goodspeed Musicals
Behr Marshall, “Ragtime” – Goodspeed Musicals
Felix Torrez-Ponce, “She Loves Me” – Long Wharf Theatre
Wes Williams, “Maggie” – Goodspeed Musicals

Featured actress in a musical:
Joan Almedilla, “South Pacific” – Goodspeed Musicals
Kirsti Carnahan, “White Christmas” – Music Theatre of CT
Blair Goldberg, “Ragtime” - Goodspeed Musicals
Brennyn Lark, “Ragtime” - Goodspeed Musicals
Rashidra Scott, “A Christmas Story” – Goodspeed Musicals

Ensemble – Casts of:
The 39 Steps – Westport Country Playhouse
Fever Dreams – TheaterWorks Hartford
Native Gardens – Westport Country Playhouse
The Shark is Broken – Playhouse on Park
Steel Magnolias – Sharon Playhouse

Solo performance:
Felicia Curry, “Sandra” – TheaterWorks Hartford
Lena Kaminsky, “2.5 Minute Ride” – Hartford Stage
Carlyn Connolly, “Tea at Five” – Ivoryton Playhouse
Terrence Riggins, “Unbecoming Tragedy” - Long Wharf Theatre

Set design:
Luke Cantarella, “Fever Dreams” - TheaterWorks Hartford
Luke Cantarella, “King James” - TheaterWorks Hartford
Johann Fitzpatrick, “The Shark is Broken” – Playhouse on Park
Starlet Jacobs, “Tea at Five” - Ivoryton Playhouse
Anna Louizos, “Native Gardens” - Westport Country Playhouse

Costume design:
Fabian Fidel Aguilar, “Romeo & Juliet” - Hartford Stage
Stephanie Bahniuk, “Ragtime” - Goodspeed Musicals
Rea J. Brown, “El Coquí Espectacular” – Long Wharf Theatre
An-lin Dauber, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” – Hartford Stage
Arthur Wilson, “Notes on a Killing Seven Oversight…” - Yale Repertory Theatre

Lighting design:
Evan C. Anderson, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” – Hartford Stage
Jamie Burnett, “Dracula” - Legacy Theatre
Dan Kotlowitz, “Romeo & Juliet” - Hartford Stage
Sherrice Mojgani, “Fever Dreams” – TheaterWorks Hartford
Charlie Morrison, “Fiddler on the Roof” – A.C.T.

Sound design:
Jay Hilton, “Ragtime” - Goodspeed Musicals
Lindsay Jones, “Fever Dreams” – TheaterWorks Hartford
Ryan Rumery, “The 39 Steps” – Westport Country Playhouse
Jane Shaw, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” – Hartford Stage
Jane Shaw, “2.5 Minute Ride” – Hartford Stage

Projections:
John Horzen, “El Coquí Espectacular” – Long Wharf Theatre
Doaa Ouf, “Notes on a Killing Seven Oversight…” - Yale Repertory Theatre
Camilla Tassi, “Sandra” – TheaterWorks Hartford
Camilla Tassi, “Fiddler on the Roof” – A.C.T.
Hannah Tran, “Unbecoming Tragedy” – Long Wharf Theatre

PLAYS (Number of Nominations)
The 39 Steps – 2
Fever Dreams – TheaterWorks Hartford - 6
Primary Trust – TheaterWorks Hartford - 6
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – Hartford Stage - 5
Romeo & Juliet – 5
Eden – 3
El Coquí Espectacular - Long Wharf Theatre – 3
Master Class – Music Theatre of CT - 3
Notes on a Killing Seven Oversight… - 3
2.5 Minute Ride – Hartford Stage - 2
Dracula – 2
Laughs in Spanish – 2
Native Gardens – 2
Sandra – TheaterWorks Hartford - 2
The Shark is Broken – 2
Tea at Five – Ivoryton Playhouse - 2
Theatre People - 2
Two Trains Running – 2
Unbecoming Tragedy - Long Wharf Theatre - 2
Alabama Story – 1
Jimmy & Lorraine – 1
King James - 1
Steel Magnolias – 1


MUSICALS (Number of Nominations)
Ragtime – 11
Fiddler on the Roof – 6
The Prom (Sharon) – 5
La Cage Aux Folles – 3
Rock of Ages – 3
A Christmas Story - 2
Maggie – 2
South Pacific – 2
White Christmas – 2
Jersey Boys – 1
Mary Poppins – 1
She Loves Me - 1