The Snow Queen at Goodspeed Theater

A year ago Don and I trekked up to Chester, CT to see "The Great Emu War," a musical about a true event that took place in Australia when post-WWI ANZAC fighters were tasked with getting rid of the emus. I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive about making a long drive for a puppet show. We went and loved the production. I have not laughed so hard in ages. 

It is about a three and a half hour drive for us, so we said we'd keep an eye out on their season and next time make it an overnight trip. It might not surprise anyone who knows us, that we did not heed our own advice.

We bought tickets to see the world premier of The Snow Goose, a new musical based on the novel by Paul Gallico.  We did not book a hotel room, instead we planned to drive up for the matinee and back home in the same day. Fortunately, the weather was wonderful. We've been alternating between stunningly gorgeous fall days, and torrential rainstorms with little in-between.

Also fortunate was that Don read the email that said this play was in the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT and not in the Terris Theater. East Haddam is about 30 minutes further away, and not near the charming cafe where we had lunch. The Goodspeed Opera House's claim to fame is that Annie debuted there fifty years ago. We hope The Great Emu War and The Snow Goose have similar successes.

All was well. We had lunch at a restaurant in town, and parked across the street from the 150-year old theater. We wished we had done a little more research and eaten at Two Wrasslin' Cats cafe across the street instead. Where we ate (which I am not naming) was okay, but the Wrasslin's Cats had a vibe that crossed the street. I'm making a note in case we go back.

As with The Great Emu War, The Snow Goose features puppetry. The play was fun. The puppetry was amazing. Three people worked together to animate the goose. A highlight for me was the moment I realized Harper, the lead's cousin, was played by Ally Bonino, who originated the role of Lucy in Suffs on Broadway, including the filmed version. Many of the other members of the cast also have Broadway credits, but in shows we did not see. 

The lead puppeteer, Leah Hofmann, is a former Rockette, a fact that is evident in the way she holds herself as she maneuvered Princess, the goose.

Casting Eric Graise as Philip, the reclusive artist shunned by the community, makes it hard to ever see anyone else in that role. He is a force to be reckoned with, but is ultimately melted by Frith (played by the charming Ashlyn Maddox). It has been a long time since I've seen a show this well cast, of course as they hired equity actors, they have a higher budget than most shows I see.

  

We drove home through Tarrytown. Stopped for dinner at Sweet Grass, and had ice cream across the street. It is a nice halfway spot. 

Once again we said if we go next year, it would be nice to turn the adventures into an overnight trip. Eight hours of driving to see a two and a half hour show is a lot, even for us.