Ridgefield comedy playing off-Broadway in NYC

A musical comedy that started out at a local theater in Ridgefield is now playing off-Broadway in New York, and preparing for an even bigger, longer run. When writer Joel Paley and Broadway musical

News 12 Staff

Nov 19, 2014, 4:05 AM

Updated 3,537 days ago

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A musical comedy that started out at a local theater in Ridgefield is now playing off-Broadway in New York, and preparing for an even bigger, longer run.
When writer Joel Paley and Broadway musical director Marvin Laird, both from Redding, created Ruthless! The Musical more than 25 years ago, neither one of them was in the show.
However, Paley credits what he calls an incredible mishap that unfolded in Connecticut two years ago with getting the show where it is today.
They had just re-written the script and were staging it at the Ridgefield Theatre Barn when their lead actress called out sick.
The author had to step in to play the role of the 8-year-old girl in the performance. 
Paley says his performance brought an edge to the show that just wasn't there before.
When the show moved from Ridgefield to New York, Laird, who hadn't acted in over 40 years, decided it was time for him to also join the previously all-female cast. 
Ruthless! will be moving to a bigger theatre in 2015. 
 
 


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