ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) of Connecticut is thrilled to announce their world premiere production of the new musical NICKEL MINES.
ACT of CT will be the first professional theater to premier this fascinating, elegant, and moving new musical. Due to COVID-19, NICKEL MINES (which was originally scheduled for March 19-29, 2020) was canceled just days before opening. The theater is ecstatic to be able to bring back this important and powerful new musical as part of our 2021-2022 season.
NICKEL MINES is a new musical centered around the 2006 Lancaster, PA Amish schoolhouse shooting in which a lone gunman shot ten girls (five fatally) before taking his own life. This breathtaking piece of theater combines spoken dialogue, movement, and original music to explore multiple viewpoints and perspectives from that fateful morning. NICKEL MINES is a living memorial to the young girls who tragically lost their lives, and is a powerful exploration of community, perseverance, and ultimately one of hope.
Daniel C. Levine, ACT of CT’s artistic director says, “NICKEL MINES serves as an interesting entry point to a conversation on how violence, faith, forgiveness and justice speak to and interact with one another. At ACT of CT, we pride ourselves on premiering new, innovative and meaningful theatre.”
NICKEL MINES is presented in association with Anita Donofrio. The show is conceived by Andrew Palermo, written by Andrew Palermo and Shannon Stoeke and features music and lyrics by Dan Dyer. The show is directed and choreographed by Andrew Palermo, with music direction by Tom Cuffari, music supervision by Bryan Perri, lighting design by Christopher Chamber, and costume design by Sera Bourgeau. Ross Parker serves as NICKEL MINES Production Stage Manager, and the cast includes Anna Cooper, Shea Coughlin, Emma Lou Delaney, Morgan Hollingsworth, Kelsey Jenison, Milan Magana, Alex Nee, Eric Michael Parker, Justine Rafael, Josephine Rose Robert, Jeff Skowron, Maria Cristina Posada Slye, Hannah Joy Snyder, Claire Sorlie, Jayme Wappel.
NICKEL MINES will run from Thursday, January 20, 2022 through Sunday, January 30, 2022 only, with a special opening night performance and pre-show reception on Saturday, January 22. Performances are: Thursday, January 20 at 7pm (preview performance), Friday, January 21 at 8pm (preview performance), Saturday, January 22 at 8pm (opening night), Sunday, January 23 at 2pm and 7pm, Thursday, January 27 at 2pm and 7pm, Friday, January 28 at 8pm, Saturday, January 29 at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 30 at 2pm. “Community talkbacks” will be held immediately following the performances on Sunday, January 23 at 2pm, Thursday, January 27 at 2pm and Thursday, January 27 at 7pm, and will include special guest speakers.
To purchase tickets please visit actofct.org or call the box office at (475) 215-5497. Senior / Student and Group pricing is available. For more information about ACT of CT, ticket and annual subscription sales, spring and summer education programs, sponsor/donor opportunities, and other theatre-related news and announcements, visit actofct.org
About ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) of Connecticut
ACT of CT’s mission is to elevate the level of entertainment in Fairfield County and to foster a sense of community through the arts by producing exceptional theater and encouraging an environment of inclusivity and artistic excellence. ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) of Connecticut is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional theatre located in Ridgefield, CT. Founded in 2018 by Katie Diamond, Daniel C. Levine and Bryan Perri, and along with the more recent addition of R. Erin Craig, ACT of CT presents limited engagement runs of well-known musicals, as well as world-premiere productions by the next generation of writers and composers. In addition to fully produced mainstage productions, ACT of CT’s programing also includes a New Works Series, a Broadway Unplugged Series, and an extensive theater education program. With its 182 seats and turntable stage, the theater offers an intimate, unique, and immersive theatrical experience for its patrons. Given the proximity to New York City, ACT of CT has access to top theatre talent and professionals. In just three seasons, ACT of CT become one of the most well-known and highly respected regional theatres in the area, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album for the cast album of their 2021 production of Stephen Schwartz’s "Snapshots". ACT of CT is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to inspiring, creating, and nurturing a culturally diverse and equitable environment for its staff, creative teams, cast, musicians, crew members, and audiences. ACT of CT does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admission or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information. ACT of CT is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and to maintaining an inclusive and discrimination-free environment.
ACT of CT is located at 36 Old Quarry Road, in the beautiful village of Ridgefield, CT. Visit actofct.org for more information.
*Photo: Morgan Hollingsworth / Photo Credit: Andrew Palermo - Photo credit: Andrew Palermo