TheaterWorks Hartford Announces
2023-2024 Season

Come for the unexpected, the innovative…
in a space where anything can happen!
Experience live theater!

LIZZIE
A Rock Musical by Steven Cheslik-deMeyer, Tim Maner, and Alan Stevens Hewitt
Directed by Lainie Sakakura
Music Direction by Erika R. Gamez
SEPT 29 - OCT 22, 2023

THE GARBOLOGIST
By Lindsay Joelle
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
FEB 2 - FEB 25, 2024

SANCTUARY CITY
By Martyna Majok
Co-directed by theater-maker Jacob Padrón
and film-maker Pedro Bermúdez
MARCH 29 - APRIL 21, 2024
in partnership with Long Wharf Theatre

SANDRA
By David Cale
Music by Matthew Dean Marsh
Directed by Jared Mezzocchi
Creative Content and Video Technology by Camilla Tassi
MAY 31 - JUNE 23, 2024

TheaterWorks Hartford, under the leadership of Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, is thrilled to announce details for its upcoming 2023–2024 season. The theater’s 38th season opens with the mesmerizing LIZZIE, by Steven Cheslik-deMeyer, Tim Maner, and Alan Stevens Hewitt. This rock concert re-telling explores the heated days leading up to the famous Lizzie Borden murders and her controversial acquittal of all charges. In the spirit of the recent Broadway hit SIX, this contemporary musical is a raucous re-interpretation of a favorite American myth. Directed by Lainie Sakakura with music direction by Erika R. Gamez, LIZZIE runs September 29 through October 22, 2023.

THE GARBOLOGIST from playwright Lindsay Joel, directed by Rob Ruggiero will run February 2 through February 25, 2024.This outside-the-box comedy pairs Danny: a gruff white, male, blue-collar NYC sanitation worker hiding a heart of gold, and Marlowe: a determined Black, female, Ivy-League-educated “newbie” who is assigned to his route. When this unlikely pair is thrown together to pick up what the world has discarded, they unexpectedly find common ground in uncommon times.

Ruggiero also announced the theater’s first partnership with Long Wharf Theatre. Co-directed by theater-maker Jacob Padrón (LWT Artistic Director) and film-maker Pedro Bermúdez (The Sound Inside), SANCTUARY CITY by Pulitzer Prize-winner Martyna Majok will run March 29 through April 22.  SANCTUARY CITY is a compelling story of two teenagers, young DREAMers fighting to establish a place for themselves in America – the only country they know as home. Poignant and timely, this OBIE-Award winning play illuminates the triumphs and challenges these lifelong friends face, and how much they are willing to risk when they have everything to lose.

The season will close with the boldly theatrical thriller SANDRA by David Cale with music by Matthew Dean Marsh. SANDRA running May 31 through June 23, 2024 will be directed by Jared Mezzocchi (Russian Troll Farm and Someone Else’s House) with creative content and video technology by Camilla Tassi. Sandra seeks to get to the bottom of the mysterious disappearance of her closest friend, a young pianist and composer, who leaves for a trip to Mexico and never returns. Her search leads her into both a highly charged love affair, and increasingly dangerous territory. Featuring an original piano score, this engaging journey takes you on an immersive experience that ultimately asks how far would you go for love?

Additionally, TheaterWorks Hartford’s twisted holiday tradition, CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS, returns November 29 – December 23 for it’s 11th year. This irreverent holiday production features your favorite kids from Christmas stories — all grown up, shaken, stirred, and served with a twist.

Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero commented, “Our 38th season is going to be exciting and adventurous. We’re not just telling four great stories - we’re looking at how we’re telling stories. We’re re-examining what contemporary audiences are looking for in a live theater experience. While the play and performance remain the center of our work, we’re bringing together an impressive team of innovative artists who are excited to explore new and unique relationships between our stories and our community. It’s going to be a season unlike any other and we’re beyond excited to share this adventure with our audiences!”

Performances take place at TheaterWorks Hartford’s historic home located at 233 Pearl Street in downtown Hartford. Subscriptions start at $190 for 4 plays and can be purchased online at twhartford.org or by calling 860.527.7838. New this season: all subscriptions come with 1 Buddy Pass + 1 Free Drink good for 1 show per season.

Priority Booking for subscribers runs July 12 - August 1.  Single tickets go on sale August 2, 2023.Please visit twhartford.org for more information.