Theatre History
66 Years of Community Theatre in Brookfield
since 1957
Contact Brookfield Theatre for more information. Photos by Stephen Cihanek except where noted.
A Brief History of Brookfield Theatre
Our location is the original home of the Paugussett and the historic center of colonial Brookfield. Since 1897, it was the gymnasium for the Curtis School for Boys, among other uses, until being purchased by the Country Players of Brookfield in 1960. It remains a place for gathering together and creating community.
The Country Players was founded in 1957 by Tillie Ciccala and Dot French. Plays were initially performed in church halls, fire stations, and school auditoriums. After a school complained about an actor appearing on stage without a shirt (in "Picnic"), it became clear that this band of players needed a home of its own. After refurbishing the current building, the playhouse became the permanent home of the Country Players of Brookfield. Throughout the years, improvements have been made to the physical space, developing a changing room for actors, a costume room for dry storage of costumes and props, and a backstage area for actors to prepare. The organization eventually grew to include a wide range of cultural offerings and, in 2003, changed its name to “The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Inc.” to reflect this commitment to be a center for creativity for the greater Brookfield region. At the same time, plans began for the building of a lobby annex to offer a gathering place for social events and concerts, and gallery space for art exhibits. The new lobby was dedicated in 2005. 2027 will mark Brookfield Theatre's 70th anniversary as an all-volunteer, non-profit organization providing quality live performances, cultural events, and educational workshops to the community. We hope you will join us for the celebration!
The Paddy Awards
The Paddy Awards is an evening to celebrate and honor the achievements of the previous season, provide a sneak peek of the coming season, and thank the many people who work so hard to make Brookfield Theatre the very special community theatre that it is. It began as a tradition many years ago by Pat Ciccala, husband of founder Tillie Ciccala (7/13/23-3/6/94), for whom the award is named. Highlights include Volunteer of the Year which is awarded to someone who has given exceptional service to the theatre.
Do you have a Paddy award? Email and let us know!
2023

Mr Burns, a post-electric play
July 14-29, 2023

Urinetown
June 9-24, 2023

Spotlight - It ShoulDa Been Broadway
May 19-21, 2023

The Revolutionists
April 28-May 6, 2023

Spring Awakening
Feb 17-March 4, 2023

Straight Men Can't Dance
Jan 13-21, 2023
2022

Hamlet
Dec. 8-18, 2022

Godspell Jr
Nov. 11-13, 2022

tick, tick...BOOM!
Oct 21-Nov 5, 2022

Sweat
Sept 16-24, 2022

Rent School Edition
Aug. 12-13, 2022

Peter Pan Jr
Aug. 5-7, 2022

65th Anniversary Cabaret
July 22-23, 2022

Shakespeare Monologues
June 25, 2022

Seussical Jr
June 3-5, 2022

Disaster!
April 29-May 14, 2022

Shirley Valentine
March 11-26, 2022

Night of the Assassins
Feb 4-19, 2022
2021
Volunteer of the Year: David Anctil

Dot
Dec. 10-18, 2021

All Together Now!
Nov. 12-14, 2021

The Taming of the Shrew
Virtual - premiered Oct. 28, 2021

Title of Show
Oct. 15-23, 2021

Love Letters
Oct. 1-3, 2021

Blood At The Root
Sept. 10-18, 2021

Improv Night
Sat., Aug. 28, 2021

Red
Aug. 13-21, 2021

Spotlight Starlight Showcase
July 30-31, 2021

Native Gardens
July 9-18, 2021

Richard II
March 26-April 3, 2021

Livestreamed:
Mr Burns, a post-electric play
Feb. 5 & 6, 2021

Spotlight & Friends Winter Cabaret
Winter 2020-2021
2020
Volunteer of the Year: Emma Okell

Child's Christmas in Wales
December 2020

Livestreamed:
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly
December 4-5, 2020

Contemporary Musical Theatre Cabaret
November 2, 2020

Screams of Autumn
October 31, 2020

Virtual:
Are You My Sister
October 17, 2020

Virtual Improv Comedy Night
October 10, 2020

Livestreamed:
The Skin of our Teeth
September 24-26, 2020

Virtual:
Crossed Swords
September 19, 2020

American Son
September 12, 2020

Virtual:
The Monroe Doctrine
August 2020

Virtual Monologue Night
August 2020

Virtual:
Connections
July 30, 2020

Virtual:
A Midsummer Night's Dream
July 23, 2020

Virtual Poetry Night
July 16, 2020

Virtual:
Hester - A for Alcoholic
June 25, 2020

The Ghostlight Project: Be A Light
June 19, 2020

Virtual:
Straight Men Can't Dance
May 2020

Virtual:
Henry V
May 2020

Virtual Open House
May 2020

Macbeth Command Performance
April 2020

Moon Over Buffalo
March 13-15, 2020

The Paddys
February 22, 2020

Beyond The Wall
February 1, 2020

Staged:
Personality Conflicts
January 24-25, 2020
2019
Volunteer of the Year: Danette Bottelsen
President's Award: Purvi Dudhedia, David Jurman & Joe Bagala

Spotlight Showcase
December 2019

Green Day's
American Idiot
November 2019

Turn Up The Heat
October 2019

Macbeth
September 2019

Staged:
Beautiful Boy
August 2019

Staged:
Love! Valour! Compassion!
August 2019

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas
July 2019

Spotlight presents
Annie Jr.
May/June 2019

Perfect Arrangement
April 2019

Lost In Yonkers
March 2019

Every Little Bit
presented by Theatre Arts & Opportunities

The Paddys
February 2019
2018
Volunteer of the Year: David Jurman
New Lifetime Members: Carol Hoose, Michael Burnett

Staged:
Kindertransport
December 2018

Spotlight Showcase
December 2018

Suite Surrender
November 2018

Staged:
Are You My Sister?
Premier - Oct. 2018

Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party
Sept. 2018

Staged:
Players
Premier - Aug. 2018

Fresh Baked Musicals
August 2018
featuring new songs from Stephen Schwarts & Michael John LaChiusa

Sweeney Todd:
The Demon Barber of Fleet St
July 2018

Disney’s Alice In Wonderland
June 2018

Other People’s Money
April/May 2018

Murder At The Banquet
April 13, 2018

The Lion In Winter
March 2018
2017
Volunteer of the Year: Rebecca Pokorski
Presidents Award: Andrew Okell, Bob Lane, Don Lombardo & Larry Coleman

Noises Off
Nov. 2017

12 Angry Men
starring
John Wesley Shipp
November 2017

Staged: The Crucible
Staged Reading–Oct. 2017

Pray the Devil Back to Hell
FILM - Oct. 8, 2017

Frost/Nixon
September 2017

Damn Yankees
July 2017

Christmas In July
New Musical Staged Readings–July 2017

Bent
April/May 2017

Comedy Night
April 1 2017

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
March 2017

Staged:
V-Day: MMRP
Feb. 2017

Paint Night fundraiser
January 2017
2016
Volunteer of the Year: Nicole Veach

Staged:
Christmas at Macomber’s
Dec. 10, 2016

The Paddys
November 2016

Speed-the-Plow
November 2016

Books & Treats
Oct. 29, 2016

The Other Place
September 2016

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Aug. 5 & 6, 2016

BARE—a pop opera
July 2016

Larry’s Party!
June 11, 2016

The Fantasticks
April/May 2016

Staged: The Rescue Station
April 2, 2016

And Then There Were None
March 2016
2015
Volunteer of the Year: Don Lombardo

The Paddys
November 2015

’Night Mother
Nov. 2015

Steel Magnolias
Sept. 2015

Company
July 2015

Godspell
May 2015

The Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare
March 6-21, 2015
2014
Volunteer of the Year: Brian Casella
(history note: Exterior painting, gutters added, property drainage project)

The Normal Heart
Nov. 7-22, 2014

Blithe Spirit
Sept. 12-27, 2014

Next To Normal
July 25-10, 2014

God of Carnage
April 25-May 10, 2014

The Divine Sister
March 7-22, 2014

The Paddys
March 2014
2013
Volunteer of the Year: Sara Mariano

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Nov. 8–30, 2013

Tuesdays With Morrie
Sept. 6–21, 2013

Rent
July 5–27, 2013

Be A Good Little Widow
April 19–May 4, 2013

The Paddys
April 6, 2013

17 Debacles
3/30, 5/11, 8/10, 10/5

American Fdn. for Equal Rights & Broadway Impact's
8
Feb. 1 & 2, 2013

Humor and Hope
Special Event
January 12, 2013
2012
Volunteers of the Year - Justin Morgan & Steve Cihanek
President’s Award - Brian Casella

Dead Man’s Cell Phone
Nov. 16–Dec. 1, 2012

Into The Woods
Sept. 21–Oct. 13 , 2012

Suburbia Poetry Slam
July 2012

Hair
July 6 –28, 2012

Moonlight & Magnolias
April 27–May 12, 2012

Thou Shall Not Dance
Premiere: March 2012

First Annual...
June 2, Oct. 20, 2012
2011
Volunteer of the Year: Andy Okell
President’s Award - Carol Martino

Cabaret
Nov. 4 –26, 2011

The Book of Liz
Aug. 26 –Sept. 10 , 2011

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
July 1 –23, 2011

Sylvia
April 29 –May 14, 2011

The Paddys
April 9, 2011

Dog Sees God
March 4 –19, 2011
2010
Volunteer of the Year: Bob Lane

Wait Until Dark
December 2010

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Sept-Oct 2010

Once On This Island
July 2010

Staged:
The Night of the Iguana

Last of the Red Hot Lovers
May 2010

The Paddys
April 10, 2010

The Laramie Project
March 2010

Staged:
Auntie Mame

Staged:
Love Letters
February 2010
2009
Volunteer of the Year: Lou Okell
President’s Award - Brian Casella

Little Shop of Horrors
Nov. 6-21, 2009

Much Ado About Nothing
Sept. 18-Oct. 3, 2009

Pippin
July 17-Aug. 1, 2009

Harvey
May 1-16, 2009

The Paddys
April 25, 2009

Special Event:
Storytime With Santa

Dear Edwina Jr.

Sleeping Beauty Jr.

Workshop:
Die Vampire, Die

Tea At Five
March 2009
2008
Volunteer of the Year: Meg Jones

Spoon River Anthology
September 2008

The Odd Couple
April-May 2008

The Paddys
2007
Volunteer of the Year: The Jackson Family

50 Years of Cabaret

Alice In Wonderland Jr.

Seussical
2006
Volunteer of the Year: Carol Hoose
Costume room refurbishment completed - dedicated to Bill Possidento

I Think I Can
Nov. 4–12, 2006

Assassins
Sept. 15–30, 2006

Master Class
July 7–22, 2006

Bye Bye Birdie
April 28–May 13, 2006

The Paddys
March 25, 2006

As Bees In Honey Drown
March 3–18, 2006
2005
Completion of the annex - dedicated to Bart Geissinger

Songs For A New World

Outward Bound

Beyond Therapy

Cinderella Goes Disco

Man Of La Mancha

The Paddys
April 6, 2005
2004

Putting It Together

Food Chain
September 3-25, 2004

The Fantastiks

Little Red and the Hoods

Special Event:
Yale Alley Cats
- Country Players of Brookfield -
2003
Volunteer of the Year: Joan Matson

A Century of Song

Prisoner of 2nd Avenue
September 5-27, 2003

Jacques Brel Is Alive & Well...

Magic:
Jerry Hornak
2002
Volunteer of the Year: Gina Rea
(history note: Groundbreaking on the annex)

An Inspector Calls

Nunsense II

Jesus Christ Superstar

House of Blue Leaves

Cabaret Concert

Snowmaiden

Workshop:
Playwrights Collective
2001

The 5th of July

Godspell

Exit The Body

You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
Nov. 9-Dec. 1, 2001
2000

La Cage Aux Folles
March 24-April 15, 2000

Spider‘s Web

All Night Strut
November 10-December 3, 2000

Celebration of the Arts
September 8-30, 2000
1999

Side By Side By Sondheim
Nov. 12 - Dec. 4, 1999

Special Event:
The Connecticut Lyric Quartet
Concert
Oct. 16, 1999

It Had To Be You
Sept. 20 - Oct. 2, 1999

Special Event:
Samba Brasil
Aug. 14, 1999

Dial “M” For Murder
July 9-31, 1999

Special Event:
Gospel Stars of Hartford
June 12, 1999

Three Tall Women
April 16 - May 8, 1999

Come Back To The 5 & Dime...
Feb. 12 - March 6, 1999
1998

Grand Night for Singing
Nov. 20 - Dec. 12, 1998

The Private Ear / The Public Eye
Sept. 11 - Oct. 3, 1998

Goodbye Charlie
April 17 - May 9, 1998

Lips Together Teeth Apart
Feb. 13 - March 7, 1998
1997

Quilters
Nov. 14-Dec. 6, 1997

The Middle Ages
Sept. 12 - Oct. 4, 1997

The Butler Did It
June 20 - July 12, 1997

Eleemosynary
April 18 - May 10, 1997

Broken Glass
April 18-May 10, 1997

Twelfth Night or What You Will
Feb. 14 - March 8, 1997
1996

Whodunit
Nov. 15-Dec. 7, 1996

Come Back Little Sheeba
Sept. 6 - 28, 1996

Lend Me A Tenor
June 28-July 20, 1996

The Sisters Rosensweig
April 19-May 11, 1996

The Importance Of Being Earnest
Feb. 6-March 9, 1996
1995

Company
Nov. 10-Dec. 2, 1995

The Effect of Gamma Rays...
Sept. 8 - 30, 1995

Jake's Women
June 23 - July 15, 1995

The Cemetery Club
April 21 - May 13, 1995

Lost In Yonkers
Feb. 17-March 11, 1995
1994

The Octet Bridge Club
Nov. 11-Dec. 3, 1994

I Never Sang For My Father
Sept. 9-Oct. 1, 1994

Light Up The Sky
June 24-July 16, 1994

Marvin’s Room
April 22-May 14, 1994

The Paddys
March 19, 1994

Catch Me If You Can
Feb. 11-March 5, 1994
1993

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Sept. 10-Oct. 2, 1993

The Nerd
July 9-31, 1993

Driving Miss Daisy
April 23-May 15, 1993

Gingerbread Lady
Feb. 12-March 6, 1993
1992

Jacques Brel....
Nov. 13-Dec. 12, 1992

Murder Among Friends
Sept. 11-Oct. 3, 1992

Barefoot In The Park
July 10-Aug. 1, 1992

Isn't It Romantic
April 24-May16, 1992

Seven Year Itch
Feb. 14-March 7, 1992
1991

Same Time Next Year
Nov. 8-Dec. 7, 1991

Relatively Speaking
Sept. 13-Oct. 5, 1991

Chapter Two
July 12-August 3, 1991

Talley’s Folly
June 7-June 9, 1991

Wait Until Dark

Steel Magnolias
February 15-March 9, 1991
1990
(New furnace, lighting equipment, running hot water)

The Subject Was Roses

Social Security

The Foreigner

It's Only A Play

Unsung Cole (And Classics Too)
1989

Suddenly Last Summer
February 17-March 11, 1989

Crimes Of The Heart

Mary, Mary

Blithe Spirit

The Fantasticks
1988

Nightwatch

And Miss Reardon Drinks A Little

The House Of Blue Leaves

Our Town

The Miracle Worker

Jerry's Girls
1987

The Runner Stumbles

Everything In The Garden

The Odd Couple (female version)

Ain't Misbehavin'

Come Blow Your Horn

Kizmet
1986

Mass Appeal

Threepenny Opera

'night, Mother

Pump Boys and the Dinettes

Beyond Therapy

Working
1985

The Ritz

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Invitation To A March

Baby

To Grandmother's House We Go

Hello, Dolly!
1984

Gemini
March 30-April 14, 1984

Angel Street
September 7-22, 1984

They're Playing Our Song
July 13-August 4, 1984

Fools

A Day In Hollywood...
1983

On Borrowed Time
April 8-23, 1983

Harvey

Cinderella

Deathtrap
September 9-24, 1983

Barnum

Winter Workshop - March 4 & 5
1982

Silver Jubilee

Little Mary Sunshine

Whose Life Is It Anyway?
May 7-22, 1982

The Robber Bridegroom

Light Up The Sky
September 10-25,1982

Mame
1981

The Ruling Class

Tribute

The Apple Tree

A Shot In The Dark

Cabaret
1980

All Over Town
May 2-17, 1990

The Diary of Anne Frank

The Tavern

Carousel

Child's Play
March 14-29, 1990
1979

The Night of January 16th

The Children's Hour

Slow Dance on the Killing Ground

The Mad Show

Steambath

Side By Side By Sondheim
November 9-December 8, 1979
1978

God's Favorite
April 14-29,1978

Of Mice & Men

Pippin

Lil' Abner
July 21-August 12, 1978

The Real Inspector Hound & After

Magritte
1977

The Boys In The Band
February 25-March 12, 1977

The Glass Menagerie
April 15-24, 1977

Detective Story

South Pacific

My Fat Friend

Candide
1976

The Chalk Garden
March 12-27, 1976

Our Town
June 11-26, 1976

Promenade All

Prisoner Of Second Avenue
July 23-August 8

Lovers & Other Strangers
September 17-October 2, 1976

How To Succeed In Business...
November 5-December 11, 1976
1975

The Gingerbread Lady
February 28-March 15, 1975

I Do, I Do
April 18-May 3,1975

Luv

That Championship Season

Opera As You Like It

Company
November 7-December 13, 1975
1974

Butterflies Are Free

Portraits of Gershwin

Norman, Is That You?
August 9-24, 1974

The Owl & The Pussycat
September 13-28, 1974

My Fair Lady
1973

The Prime of Miss Jean Brody

Man of La Mancha
November 9-December 15, 1973

Last of the Red Hot Lovers
March 22-April 6, 1973
1972

Fiddler on the Roof
June 9-July 2, 1972

Jacques Brel...

Hello, Dolly!
October 27-November 18, 1972

After The Fall
1971

Ladies In Retirement

The Drunkard

Cabaret

Luther
March 3-18, 1971
1970

High Sign & Snow Angel

The 13 Clocks

Don't Drink The Water
July 17-August 1, 1970

You Know I Can't Hear You When The Water's Running

Oliver
1968/69

Arsenic & Old Lace

Only An Orphan Girl

The Pajama Game

The Bear, Pinter Vignettes, and Sarah & the Sax

The Roar of the Greasepaint...

Love Rides The Rails

Gypsy
November 7-29, 1969
1967

Blithe Spirit
1967

A Streetcar Named Desire
1967

See How They Run
1967

Annie Get Your Gun
1967
1966

Dark of the Moon
1966

The King & I
1966

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
1966

Once Upon A Mattress
1966

Janus
1966
1965

Dial M For Murder
1965

West Side Story
1965

Kind Sir
1965

The Boy Friend
1965

The Devil's Disciple
1965
1964
Basement foundation poured by Pat Cicala, Roger Delsin, Monroe Kravitz, Jack Landers, and Peter Maxim

Mister Roberts
February 1964

Little Mary Sunshine
1964

A Hatful of Rain
1964

Bus Stop
1964

Spoon River Anthology
1964

Oklahoma!
1964
1963

Pal Joey
March 8-April 6, 1963

The Crucible
1963

Carousel
July 5-August 3, 1963

The Hut
Aug. 6-Sept. 1963

Brace Yourself
1963

Tea & Sympathy
October 1963
1962

Summer & Smoke
April 26-May 13, 1962

Kiss Me Kate
1962

Stalag 17
March 1-17, 1962

The Mousetrap
1962

Three Men On A Horse
November 14-December 8, 1962
1961

The Fantasticks
1961

Zoo Story and Krapp’s Last Tape
1961

Auntie Mame
1961

The Moon Is Blue
1961

Two For The Seesaw
October 5-21, 1961

Finian’s Rainbow
1961

Guys and Dolls
1961
1960

A Streetcar Named Desire
1960

Voice of the Turtle
1960

The Desperate Hours
1960

The Red Shoes
1960

The Beauty and the Beast
1960
1959

Fallen Angels
1959

The Fourposter
1959

Out Of This World
1959
1958

June Wedding
1958

Our Town
1958

Picnic
1958
Theatre Presidents
2015-present Lou Okell
2010-2015 Michael Burnett
2008-2010 Stephanie Skrok
2006-2007 David Tuttle
1998-2005 Bart Geissinger
1983-1998 Imelda O'Gara Roth
1971-1982 Larry Stewart
1964-1970 Wendell MacNeal
1963-1964 Betsy Evans
1961-1962 William Stockman
1960-1961 Chesley Plemmons
1957-1960 Tillie Cicala & Dot French
Founding Board Members:
Tillie Cicala, Dot French, Roger Delsin, Pat Cicala, Bob French
Theatre in Brookfield before 1957:
1929-1946 - Brookfield Players - Virgil Geddes
Summer 1931 & 1932 - Group Theatre