theaterworks

Great little theater in historic Hartford. Interesting seating policy - open seating but for a small fee you can get reserved seating. Don't know if reserved seating is actually worth it.... I specifically asked for aisle seating and they said no problem.. Got there, we had reserved seating, but not on an aisle (6 seats in)... no bad seats in the house though... very small and fun! Quality theater with quality performances!

My husband & I have been to TheaterWorks in Hartford a couple of times now. with friends and alone. This intimate theater is located in an historic building in downtown Hartford is just right for a night or afternoon out. We have really enjoyed all the plays we've seen and would recommend going. There is ample parking just across the street, of course you must pay, but at $5.00 it's a bargain. There is a limited bar inside where you can purchase a drink and take it to your seat, which is nice. The seating is first come first serve, however you may upgrade your purchase for a reserved seat, if you wish. All seats are good and we were not disappointed when we upgraded to reserved seats on an isle. Try this local intimate theater, you will have fun.

This is a very interesting theater in the heart of Hartford. It is small and therefore intimate and you can see the actors plying their craft up close. Last year, we attended a performance of The Other Room which was exceptional well done. I had seen the play on Broadway with Laurie Metcalf (she deserved a Tony for her performance). The performance at TheaterWorks was just as riveting, suspenseful and well acted. We have been back several times since and, each time, the performances have been just as good as The Other Room. The use of such a small space and the ability to transform it with sets is something to see. They have special deals for students and day of performance.

Have only been a series member for one year and enjoyed each play. The theater is small so you have a chance to see the actors up close . The plays are well selected to fit the space and all have been fun and interesting with good casts. Once you have paid for the series you can select the days you want to attend. The parking is very convenient and there are several local restaurants to choose from. The staff is very accommodating and helpful. We live an hour away but it is our favorite venue outside NYC for live theater.

Had a wonderful time here, a bar restuarant and movie theater in the same location is the greatest idea.

The excellent productions come alive in this intimate setting. The directing is outstanding. Many plays start here and end up on Broadway.

After reading some reviews of "Freud's Last Session" by Mark St. Germain at the theaterworks, we decided to go on a Saturday afternoon. We were glad we did. The play depicts an imaginary meeting between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis late in the life of Freud after he had fled Vienna and settled in London in 1939. The meeting takes place in Freud's masterfully recreated office with the then present dangers of WW II overshadowing the meeting. Lewis, an atheist in his early years, was converted to Christianity through the influence of Tolkien and others and became a foremost author and champion of the Christian faith. Freud, the conceiver of psychoanalysis, was an avowed atheist. In the play these two giants in their field debate the issues,Is there a God? Is there an afterlife? The younger Lewis is played by Jonathan Crombie and the older Freud in played by Kenneth Tigar. Both men were excellent in their roles. This 90 minute one act play is well worth your time and money. Go!

My first reaction upon leaving Theaterworks’ highly entertaining world premiere production, Christmas on the Rocks, was why hadn’t someone thought of this idea before now? Director Rob Ruggiero asked seven playwrights—John Cariani, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lamarre, Matthew Lombardo, Theresa Rebeck, Edwin Sanchez, and Jonathan Tolin--to take iconic Christmas characters from holiday themed movies and television classics and reimagine them as older, more disenchanted and indifferent individuals. The result—seven very short playlets (no more then 12 minutes each) that are at times funny, poignant, joyful, and touching. Each scene takes place in a seedy bar overseen by an aged bartender, played with a convincing worldweariness by Ronn Carroll. The other two cast members, the talented Harry Bouvy and Christine Pedi, portraying a variety of characters, rotate scenes until they unite in the finale. Which portions of the linked plays did I like the most? What about those I found only mildly amusing? I’d rather not say, leaving the decision to each audience member. Each of the seven had their own charm and wit. Some I preferred might not have registered with other theater-goers and vice versa. The plots? Again, mum’s the word. Half of the fun of Christmas on the Rocks is discovering who the character is when they walk through the bar’s front door. However, be forewarned--brush up on your holiday films and TV shows before attending a performance. This will maximize your viewing pleasure and understanding of the inside jokes.All three actors were marvelous, displaying subtle, humorous or over-the-top portrayals, depending on the their particular scene. With a different wig and change of clothing both Bouvy and Pedi were able to become a multitude of completely different, totally convincing characters. Bravo.Michael Schweikardt’s set design of the run-down pub was so authentic looking. His attention to detail was superb. Look for Kris Kringle’s cane and Tiny Tim’s walking stick to the side of the bar and the dollar bills taped to the mirror. A lit chihuahua’s head at the top of the liquor cabinet was an offbeat touch.Director Rob Ruggiero effortlessly connects each of the seven plays to form a seamless whole. He skillfully guides each performer to bring out the essence of their role whether it is the comic, the inspirational, or the nuttiness or all three. Ruggiero perfectly paces each scene to elicit just the right blend of emotion and entertainment.Christmas on the Rocks, hopefully a new holiday tradition in the Hartford area, playing now through December 22nd.

Christmas on the Rocks was an entertaining and funny performance by 3 very skilled actors, playing multiple roles. You'll never think of Cindy Lou Who and Charlie Brown as innocents again. It was lots of fun.The theater itself is in a small, imtimate setting. Located in the lower level of the building, there are no bad seats.Unlike most productions, there are no tickets. You must call and make a reservation, providing your payment info over the phone. I imagine that many shows sell out quickly, so its wise to plan in advance. We happened to hit a night of a major snowstorm in Hartford which opened up a lot of seats.This is a top quality performance venue with actors from Broadway and mainstream television. We happened to see one actor that we recognized from The Good Wife.

Just saw it last night. Fabulous!! Husband and I decided this was the most fun Christmas event we've ever been to. The play is just hilarious.

This is a very intimate space that brings Off-Broadway to the Hartford area. Not quite mainstream.You won't see "The Sound of Music" but you will see plays like "Mother F****er with a Hat" or "Freud's Last Session" . I love it and have been a subscriber for years and have yet to be bored.

THE THEATER: 190 seats intimately placed before a charming proscenium stage in the basement of an historic building near restaurants and bars downtown.  Upstairs is an art gallery where you can relax and chit chat before the curtain goes up.  Don't be put off by the walk down to the basement level because the theater is well fitted and welcoming.  It's a great space.  There is a snack bar serving wine, beer and treats.  The staff is friendly and helpful.  THE PERFORMANCE:  Mrs. Mannerly, a new Jeffrey Hatcher play is a 2- person, 90 minute comedy that charts the development of the relationship between a little used manners instructor and a 10 year old boy who lands in her class after he misbehaves in church.  Jeffrey, the boy, is played by 40 -something Raymond McAnally with speed, wit, humor and a gift for performing multiple characters.  He narrates his boyhood journey with Mrs. Mannerly, flipping in and out of the personae of his four little quirky classmates, and his saucy, older dance partner.  Jeffrey often explains the narrative details along the way with dozens of 1960's pop culture references.  He gets comically physical with his dance partner.  He makes the 90 minutes hum.  Mrs. Mannerly, played by Dale Hodges, is tip top as the 50-something, proper on the surface, scotch drinking when off duty, instructor.  She is terrific.  The NEIGHBORHOOD:  it's a good neighborhood with plenty of parking on the street and in garages. Within 2 blocks are at least 7 fine restaurants including Trumbull Kitchen, Salute, Vito's on the Park, Max Downtown, Feng, Russian Lady, and Bin 228.  All in a nice safe part of town. OVERALL :  Theaterworks is always on our radar for a night out.  We put it right alongside Hartford Stage.  We are looking forward to cherry picking a few choices from a good looking season.  Happy traveling.

This is a more intimate performance venue than Hartford Stage. The group, all professional, performs more avant garde theatre.

We've been season ticket holders for several years now. Theaterworks is a wonderfully small intimate theater that always has unusual but usually very good small cast productions. You just can't beat the price of a season subscription for live theater anywhere else. And parking is never a problem with their arrangement with a local garage. The base price tickets are general seating, so don't be late to claim the best seats, but your are close no matter where you sit.

Just saw 'Mountaintop' last night. I've been to Broadway many times, and other live theatre performances all over the US. The performances do not get any better than this. Small venue, great 'communication' with the performers on stage.