The Arts

Curtain Call

1349 Newfield Ave.
Stamford, CT
(203) 329-8207
www.curtaincallinc.com

Fresh off a successful run with The Wizard of Oz, which included many sold-out performances, Curtain Call and its executive director Lou Ursone are gearing up for a busy summer. This summer's Outdoor Shakespeare production of The Tempest will mark the sixth year Curtain Call has built its own stage and offered free or low-priced tickets to an outdoor event like this. Ursone says it's one of the best times they have all year. It's never about the money with Curtain Call, he says: "We all share a deep passion and everyone is unbelievably dedicated." And with a volunteer core of several hundred friends and workers, it's no wonder they're able to keep putting on top-notch musicals and dramatic plays. While speaking about the current economy's effect on his group, Ursone smiles and says their tickets sales actually went up this year. "I think it's a testament to the loyal support and the quality of what we do," he says. And with the biggest drop felt in classes and workshop programming, they're readjusting the curriculum to include shorter programs to fit families' and childrens' schedules. Look for four-to-six-week classes in improvisational comedy, acting for musical theater, commercial acting and, coming soon, soap opera acting. Curtain Call shows can be seen in a 184-seat auditorium, the Kweskin Theater, or in a 100-seat cabaret space, the Dressing Room, where they encourage audience members to "BYOEverything." Ursone says they're still "creating an opportunity in the arts for all ages" and that they haven't changed since starting 37 years ago. "We're crazy," he says. "We're all just nuts."