News and Reviews of Local Actors

Alec Varcas is back home in Wolcott after wrapping up the national tour of the musical comedy Monty Python's Spamalot. This was his first national tour and here is what he posted about the experience.

It's weird thinking that 24 hours from now I will be home eating dinner with my family. After 92 performances in countless cities, tonight marks our 93rd and last performance of Spamalot. It has been a roller coaster of an experience, but I will undoubtedly miss it. I have been to some amazing places and have met some unforgettable people. I have learned so much from them and so much about myself these past few months. I can't wait to see what is in store for me next, but this Spam-ily will always be with me! I love you guys!

Toward the end of the tour, Mr. Varcas spoke with Backstage Johnny O about his experience. Check out the photos of this talented actor in his Spamalot costumes at right. Welcome home to CT and keep us posted on your next role.

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Big congratulations to Connor Barth, originally from Naugatuck, who can now announce that he has just been cast as Puggsley in the national tour of The Adams Family. Last year, he was rehearsing to be in a show by Chip Deffaa in CT when he got cast in the national tour of Elf.

The Global Dispatch.com wrote of his performance "Connor Barth, who plays Buddy’s brother Michael, pleased the crowd repeatedly as a very talented young singer."

Broadway World.com wrote in their review "Both Julia Louis Hosack and Connor Barth play the mother-son duo with great ease. There's something very natural and believable about Hosack's maternal presence, while Barth brings real maturity to the stage for his age."

The How Was the Show.com review states "Connor Barth as the young Michael is an amazing talent. A pitch-perfect singer with a natural acting style. Don’t change a thing; you are well on your way to a lasting career."

After a successful tour in Elf, Connor is very excited to tour with another big show. Young Connor is the son of former Naugatuck Mayor Tim Barth and his wife Renee. I am hopeful that the tour will come to a local venue so that I can catch his performance.

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The aforementioned Mr. Deffaa is very happy that his show One Night with Fanny Brice is coming back to New York, with the terrific Mary Johnson portraying the original Funny Girl. I have enjoyed Ms. Johnson's performances in Liberty and The Taffetas, and the playwright once told me that he felt that Ms. Johnson's performance in this role was his favorite. It is such a great opportunity for this talented actress to reprise the role in NYC.

This wonderful show was presented twice at Naugatuck's Phoenix Stage Company; I reviewed the show during the return engagement. In NYC it will be presented at the 13th Street Theater and opening night is April 22, 2013. The Warner Theatre's Sharon A. Wilcox is directing. Costumes are by Renee Casadaban Purdy and music direction is by Richard Danley. Break a leg to all the local talents involved in this lovely show.

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And speaking of Liberty: A Monumental New Musical and shameless self-promotion, I received an e-mail today from the production company of the musical that made the number one position on my list of top ten musicals for 2012. I was honored to see that my review of the show was featured in both the newsletter and their newly revamped website. 

Theresa Wozunk, the Producer of LIBERTY, writes in an e-mail to me:

Thank you for your belief in our show!  I'm sorry that it took so long to share your "# 1 Pick" in this way - we posted on our social media as soon as it happened - but it took MONTHS to revamp the website and incorporate all of the great photos, footage, etc.

I hope you don't mind that you're on our list.  We want you to stay in the loop and follow our journey forward. Thank you again, we are truly honored to have received such high praise.  It means the world to us.

I look forward to seeing this show move to New York.