Danbury's Musicals at Richter Kicks off with The Addams Family on July 7

Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 39th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, announces its 2023 season of musicals and children’s theater.

This year’s main stage musicals, which feature live musical accompaniment, include “The Addams Family” and “The Music Man.”  Performances take place outdoors under the stars at the Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury, adjacent to the Richter Park Public Golf Course, just off I-84, Exit 2.

The season kicks off with “The Addams Family” (July 7-22), featuring music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Based on the bizarre, darkly humorous and beloved characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams, this original story finds the famously macabre Addams Family put to the test when outsiders come to dinner, hurling Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Fester, Grandmama and Lurch headlong into a night that will change the family forever.  The show is directed for MAR by Skip Ploss (Wilton), with music direction by Andrew Gadwah (Wilton) and choreography by Lindsay Miller (Wappingers Falls, NY).

The second show takes us to River City, Iowa and Meredith Willson’s iconic ode to small-town life, “The Music Man” (July 28 - August 12). This six-time Tony Award-winning show has been charming audiences for generations. Follow fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the town librarian. David Halliwell (Monroe) helms the production for MAR, joined by music director Peter Randazzo (Trumbull) and choreographer Lindsay Miller.

For younger audiences, MAR’s popular Fairy Tale Theater, a play series by and for young people, returns for a 22nd season beginning July 8. Under the direction of veteran performer Rob Mayette (Ridgefield), the shows feature hour-long, interactive adaptations of classic tales that include plenty of audience participation, a show-related craft activity, birthday recognitions and more.

Performances for the 2023 Fairy Tale season take place rain or shine Saturday mornings July 8-29 at WorkspaceCT, 16 Trowbridge Drive, in Bethel, where the troupe has performed in previous years.  The season includes “Beauty and the Beast’ (July 8); “Aesop’s Fables: Fox’s Adventures” and “Puss In Boots” (July 15); “Princess Without a Shadow” (July 22); and “Snow White” (July 29).  Grounds at WorkspaceCT open at 10:30 AM with the show at 11 AM.  All tickets are $5 at the door.

Performances for “The Addams Family” and “The Music Man” are Friday-Sunday evenings at 8 PM with specially discounted performances on Thursdays July 13 & 20, August 3 & 10.

Grounds at Richter Arts Center open at 7:00 p.m. for picnicking, with the show at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors (65+) and students (with ID), and $15 for children 10 and under.

For the Thursday performances (July 13 & 20, August 3 & 10), tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $10 for children 10 and under.

Audience members are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating. A limited number of chairs are available free of charge at the concession area, and a snack/soft drink concession is on site.

For further information and to purchase tickets, visit the website at musicalsatrichter.org, leave a message at 203-748-6873 or e-mail info@musicalsatrichter.org.