By James V. Ruocco
In the hands of different directors and the committed performances of those actors who have been chosen to bring a new work to life, the end result, as reflected through the eyes of critics and audiences' alike, is one of joy, gratification and more importantly, the opportunity to showcase a brand-new play or musical for the very first time.
Think about it.
World premiere.
Sustainable model.
Incentive.
Season lineup diversity.
Opening night word of mouth.
The possibilities are endless.
Legacy Theatre - now celebrating its third season in Branford - fully endorses this production mindset and concept. Last season, the theater presented the world premiere engagement of "Joan Joyce," a new musical about the iconic Connecticut softball legend. The year before that, it was "Just Desserts" by Milford's Pantochino Productions.
For 2023, in a lineup that includes Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," Mischief Theatre's "The Play That Goes Wrong" and "The Musicals of Musicals (The Musical!)," Legacy Theatre will present the world premiere engagement of "Masters of Puppets" as its official season opener.
"How exciting to begin the season as host of the world premiere of this thrilling new work," explains Keeley Baisden Knudsen, the artistic director of Legacy Theatre who also staged and co-wrote the book and lyrics for last year's "Joan Joyce" at the Branford-based venue.
"Orson Welles presented his bold, new theatrical work [a two-week run of "Too Much Johnson" in 1938] at this very location in the 1930s, and I am moved to produce programming in a similar vein nearly a hundred years later, championing new works that challenge and thrill audience.
"This one is particularly fulfilling as I am collaborating with artists, I have known for 25 years."
Despite its title," "Masters of Puppets" has nothing to do with puppets, the making of puppets or puppetry as an art form. Here, the word "puppets" refers to a person or group of people under the artistic or manipulative control of one another.
Written by Laurence Davis, the play offers theatergoers a fictionalized, up-close, passionate glimpse into the dirty underbelly of professional wrestling. It is based, in part, on the playwright's personal viewpoint of the popular sport itself.
“I have been a pro wrestling fan my whole life," says "Masters of Puppets" producer James Roday Rodriguez ("A Million Little Things," "Pysch," "The Crossover") "From its humble beginnings in traveling carnivals to the billion-dollar industry that fills arenas across the world, one thing has always been intrinsic to its machinations: storytelling.
" 'Masters of Puppets' peels back the canvas and gives us a peek at the shoots behind the works, and it's absolutely electric. "
Directed by Gabe McKinley, "Masters of Puppets" stars Dana Ashbrook ("Blue Bloods," "The Resident," "Twin Peaks") as Ted Blasendale, Amanda Detmer ("Psych," "The Vampire Diaries," "Empire") as Delia Kragston, Kurt Fuller ("No Holds Barred") as Victor Kragston, Michael Horgan ("The Sopranos," "S.W.A.T." "Much Ado About Nothing") as Rainey Dayes, Michael Bobenhausen ("Imposters," "Hannah Senesh") as Jace Powers and Joshua Heggie ("Big River," "Roofless").as Leonard "Reaper" Barnett.
Headlining the creative team at Legacy Theatre are Jamie Burnett (lighting and scenic design), Gali Noy (costume design),
Adam Jackson (sound design), Erica Pajonas (props design), Emmett Cassidy (fight
choreographer) and T. Rick Jones (production stage manager).
"We are very happy to present this world premiere," states Jeff Provost, managing director of Legacy Theatre. "There's always been questions as to what's real and what's fake in the world of wrestling, and those questions continue to this day.
"This piece explores the topic in a really thought-provoking way. It's a gritty, no-holds-barred approach to the subject matter."
"Masters of Puppets" is being performed at Legacy Theatre (128 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, CT) from May 25 through June 11, 2023.
Performances are 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $25-$35.
For reservations or more information, call (203) 315-1901.
website: legacttheatrect.org.
Please note: This play is for mature audiences. It contains violence, harsh language, and drug use.
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