David's Theater Thoughts

  The Hot Wing King at the Hartford Stage -  Taking the Seasonings of Love to a Whole New Degree By David Pulvermacher Beauty, pain, and elegance describe more than just the chicken at Hartford Stage’s newest show, The Hot Wing King . The Pulitzer-winning show unapologetically captivates the audience with its brilliant use of comedy and dramatic conflict. The Hot Wing King weaves multiple layers of subplots to create a tapestry of storytelling that will leave you thinking about the performance for a long time to come.  The audience is invited into Dwayne’s and Cordell’s Memphis home. Cordell and his team are getting ready for the annual Hot Wing Festival. Cordell has come short the last five years in the hot wing competition and is determined to win using his secret family recipe. Nothing should get in team Cordell’s way…except for maybe family.  Cordell’s boyfriend, Dwayne, promised to be present and supportive of their competition prep work. However, Dwayne has bee...

  Million Dollar Quartet: The Show That Will Have You Smiling  By David Pulvermacher Experience Broadway-quality entertainment in an intimate setting with Million Dollar Quartet at the ACT (A Contemporary Theater) of Connecticut. Directed by Hunter Foster and written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, it is more than just a Tony Award winning musical; it is a live concert that gets everyone on their feet.    Based on actual events, Million Dollar Quartet takes the audience back to 1956 Memphis, Tennessee when the kings of rock-n-roll came together to catch up with their manager & mentor for the holidays. Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, welcomes Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins back to the studio that started their careers. Phillips also introduces the men to his newest client, Jerry Lee Lewis. The men trade stories between performing takes of their most famous songs. However, each singer has an ulterior motive for returning to their roots. While...

  Kimberly Akimbo: The Uncomfortable Untold Truth By David Pulvermacher Bizzare, bombastic, and brilliant are three words that come to mind after reflecting on Saturday’s Production of Kimberly Akimbo . Written by David Linsay-Abbaire, Kimberly Akimbo follows the teenage life of Kimberly Lavaco. While the average teenager’s biggest worries are usually acne and their latest crush, Kim faces medical troubles beyond what most can imagine. Kimberly battles a form of progeria, a disease that ages the body faster than average. While navigating high school is daunting enough, Kim constantly struggles with living in the body of a middle-aged woman. Kimberly Akimbo is a Tony Award-winning show for best new musical.  On top of her personal health odyssey, Kimberly’s home life is a source of serious contention. From parents who run hot and cold in their own personal issues to a self-centered aunt who enjoys manipulating others for a payday, Kimberly wishes she had regular teen problem...