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MTC MainStage presents
Tenderly, The Rosemary Clooney Musical
Written by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman
Scenic Design by Lindsay Fuori
Lighting Design by RJ Romeo
Costume Design by Diane Vanderkroef
Sound Design by Will Atkin
Prop Design by Sean Sanford
Stage Managed by Jim Schilling
Choreography by Chris McNiff
Musical Direction by David Wolfson
Directed by Kevin Connors

MTC MainStage presents

TENDERLY, THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL

September 17 - October 3, 2021

Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Performances at MUSIC THEATRE OF CONNECTICUT 
509 Westport Avenue (Route 1) in Norwalk
(Click here for directions)
Previews begin September 17th at 8pm
Opening Night on September 18th at 8pm
ALL PERFORMANCES ARE IN PERSON

Runtime: 2 hours including the brief intermission

Tickets: $40-$70

A huge thank you to our 2021/2022 MainStage Season sponsors:

About

TENDERLY is based on the life of Rosemary Clooney, who was hailed as America’s favorite girl singer, in this exhilarating and inspiring new musical biography.  Her journey starts with her humble Midwest childhood and rise to Hollywood stardom, and continues beyond battles with depression to a triumphant comeback.  Through it all, she topped the charts for nearly five decades with signature songs. TENDERLY offers a remarkably personal and poignant picture of the woman whose unparalleled talent and unbridled personality made her a legend. The show, which received rave reviews and a double-extension of its run in its second incarnation at Cincinnati Playhouse, features many of Mrs. Clooney’s signature hits, including “Hey There (you with the stars in your eyes),” “Tenderly,” and “Come On-A My House.” 

Who’s Who

SUSAN HAEFNER (Rosemary Clooney)
MTC debut! As an actor, Susan has worked on Broadway, on national and international tours, and at regional theaters across the United States. She appeared on Broadway in State Fair, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and 42nd Street (Revival), and on national and international tour in Damn Yankees (with Jerry Lewis), State Fair, and Billy Elliot. Susan originated the role of Rosemary in Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (World Premiere), and has gone on to play the role at Weston Playhouse, Florida Repertory Theatre and Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, CT. She has also worked regionally at theaters such as La Jolla Playhouse, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Shaker Bridge Theatre, Northern Stage, and Geva Theatre Center. Susan is also a director/choreographer (Playhouse on Park, Weston Playhouse), a private voice and acting coach, and a Vermont Arts Council teaching artist. During the pandemic, Susan refocused her artistic energies and founded Little Yellow House Studio (www.littleyellowhousestudio.com), connecting artists with community through performances and education. www.susanhaefner.com

JOHN TREACY EGAN (The Doctor)
Recently appeared on Broadway in MY FAIR LADY at Lincoln Center Theater. His other B’way credits: CASA VALENTINA at Manhattan Theater Club, BYE BYE BIRDIE at Roundabout Theater Company, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (Chief Berry) as well as creating roles in SISTER ACT (Joey), DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (Chef Louis), and JEKYLL & HYDE. Played Max Bialystock in THE PRODUCERS as well as the roles of Roger DeBris and Franz Liebkind.  Toured the U.S. and Europe in productions of KISS ME KATE and CATS. Off-B’way, created roles in CLINTON The Musical, Howard Crabtree’s WHEN PIGS FLY!, DISASTER The Musical, and BATBOY The Musical. Performed at Carnegie Hall as Nicely Nicely in GUYS & DOLLS with Nathan Lane and Megan Mullaly. Regional: Yale Rep in THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS, The Old Globe Theater in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS(Old Max), and at Cleveland Playhouse (Col.Mustard) in CLUE. Television in GOTHAM, YOUNGER, THE GOOD WIFE, THE KNICK, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, NURSE JACKIE, 30 ROCK, CUPID, LAW & ORDER, and the films LAST NIGHT, and THE PRODUCERS. He can be heard on many theatrical recordings as well as his own solo CDs Count the Stars and On Christmas Morning are available on itunes and cdbaby.com. 

KEVIN CONNORS (Director, Executive Artistic Director & Co-Founder) Off-Broadway: Play Like a Winner (NYMF award-winner), Prime Time Prophet, Jukebox Saturday Night, The Abandoned Loves of Frederick R., Life Anonymous, Lover: The Valentino Musical, Babes Off Broadway, Saloon and Suzy Q. Selected regional productions: The Fantasticks, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Babes in Toyland, A Christmas Carol and Baby; with such stars as Joan Rivers, James Naughton, and Johnny Mathis. He has directed over 100 MTC Equity MainStage productions including Next to Normal, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Doubt, Master Class, Gypsy, (all Connecticut Critics’ Circle Award Nominations/Winners), and It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, (Moss Hart Award Winner). BroadwayWorld Award Winner as Best Director for MTC’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Connecticut Critics’ Circle Best Director winner for MTC’s Ragtime, and recipient of the Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Professional Theatre. As a composer he has penned the score for numerous musicals including It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play (both published by Playscripts, Inc.), and served on the faculties of The Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford, Sacred Heart University, the University of Bridgeport and Musical Theatre Works in NYC. www.kevin-connors.com

Production Photos

Photos by MTC