"Songs in the Key of Life" comes to life on stage at The Bushnell

January 30, 2006 – HARTFORD, CT -- Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder’s 1976 milestone recording, forms the basis of a new theatrical work opening at The Bushnell’s Belding Theater on February 24 for a two-night engagement.  The show is part of the Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Off-Broadway Series at The Bushnell.  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Bushnell Box Office, located at 166 Capitol Avenue , Hartford , or by calling the box office at (860) 987-5900.  Tickets may also be purchased online at www.bushnell.org.  Ticket prices are $30 and $25.

Called “pure theatrical creativity”, by the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the show takes numbers from Wonder’s recording and rearranges them without dialogue to tell the story of an urban family whose lives are changed by a single unexpected event.  Musical numbers featured include “Sir Duke”, “Isn’t She Lovely”, “I Wish”, and “Love’s In Need of Love Today.”  Infused with gospel tinged harmonies, cast members perform both solo and “family” numbers unmiked and a capella with drumbeat and percussion backup.

The show was first performed at the Black Theatre Festival in New Orleans , and then at Le Chat Noir also in New Orleans to outstanding reviews.  It is conceived and directed by John Grimsley, the director of the New Orleans-based Dog and Pony Theater Company.  Some of the six roles were cast through auditions which were held at The Bushnell in January.  Artistic partners, Hartford ’s Artist Collective, will perform all percussion.

About The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

The Bushnell is Connecticut ’s premier performing arts center, hosting more than 350 events yearly, including major Broadway tours, symphony orchestras, family presentations, lo cal arts and community events. In November 2001, The Bushnell completed a $45 million expansion project that added a second, 907-seat theater to the existing historic structure. The new, state-of-the-art performance hall allo ws for expanded arts, entertainment and community offerings. The Bushnell’s nationally-recognized arts-in-education program, PARTNERS (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools ), is a cross-community educational effort serving 20 schools in 12 districts throughout the Greater Hartford area. The Bushnell opened in January 1930 and is a non-profit organization. For more information, call The Bushnell at (860) 987-6000, The Bushnell Box Office at (860) 987-5900 or visit our website at www.bushnell.org.

Back to NEWS & MEDIA > >