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
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
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
2000
La Cage Aux Folles
Spider‘s Web
All Night Strut
Celebration of the Arts
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. 8-30, 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
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
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
Angel Street
They're Playing Our Song
Fools
A Day In Hollywood...
1983
On Borrowed Time
Harvey
Cinderella
Deathtrap
Barnum
Winter Workshop - March 4 & 5
1982
Silver Jubilee
Little Mary Sunshine
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
The Robber Bridegroom
Light Up The Sky
Mame
1981
The Ruling Class
Tribute
The Apple Tree
A Shot In The Dark
Cabaret
1980
All Over Town
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Tavern
Carousel
Child's Play
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
1978
God's Favorite
Of Mice & Men
Pippin
Lil' Abner
The Real Inspector Hound & After
Magritte
1977
The Boys In The Band
The Glass Menagerie
Detective Story
South Pacific
My Fat Friend
Candide
1976
The Chalk Garden
Our Town
Promenade All
Prisoner Of Second Avenue
Lovers & Other Strangers
How To Succeed In Business...
1975
The Gingerbread Lady
I Do, I Do
Luv
That Championship Season
Opera As You Like It
Company
1974
Butterflies Are Free
Portraits of Gershwin
Norman, Is That You?
The Owl & The Pussycat
My Fair Lady
1973
The Prime of Miss Jean Brody
Man of La Mancha
Last of the Red Hot Lovers
1972
Fiddler on the Roof
Jacques Brel...
Hello, Dolly!
After The Fall
1971
Ladies In Retirement
The Drunkard
Cabaret
Luther
1970
High Sign & Snow Angel
The 13 Clocks
Don't Drink The Water
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
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
1963
The Crucible
1963
Carousel
1963
The Hut
Aug. 6-Sept. 1963
Brace Yourself
1963
Tea & Sympathy
October 1963
1962
Summer & Smoke
1962
Kiss Me Kate
1962
Stalag 17
March 1-17, 1962
The Mousetrap
1962
Three Men On A Horse
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
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
