SELF-DEPRECATING, STATE-CENTRIC COMEDY PLAYS IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE IN I'M CONNECTICUT
By Kiersten Bjork (April 16, 2026)
A whacky, fast-paced comedy featuring plenty of self-deprecating humor–and more than a few state-related, Jewish, and phallic jokes–I’m Connecticut is currently playing at Ivoryton Playhouse through April 19.
The story follows Marc, a young man in search of love–who also happens to be from Connecticut–as he goes on dates, shares both touching and hilarious moments with his aging grandfather, and seeks to make himself unique and interesting–unlike the state in which he grew up.
I’m Connecticut is written by Mike Reiss, an American television comedy writer born and raised in Bristol, CT, and best known for his work as a show-runner, writer, and producer on The Simpsons, and as co-creator of the animated series, The Critic. Ivoryton Playhouse Executive and Artistic Director, Jacqueline Hubbard, serves as director of the production.
A whacky, fast-paced comedy featuring plenty of self-deprecating humor–and more than a few state-related, Jewish, and phallic jokes–I’m Connecticut is currently playing at Ivoryton Playhouse through April 19.
The story follows Marc, a young man in search of love–who also happens to be from Connecticut–as he goes on dates, shares both touching and hilarious moments with his aging grandfather, and seeks to make himself unique and interesting–unlike the state in which he grew up.
I’m Connecticut is written by Mike Reiss, an American television comedy writer born and raised in Bristol, CT, and best known for his work as a show-runner, writer, and producer on The Simpsons, and as co-creator of the animated series, The Critic. Ivoryton Playhouse Executive and Artistic Director, Jacqueline Hubbard, serves as director of the production.
Deanna Ott and Quinn Corcoran in Ivoryton Playhouse’s I’m Connecticut (Ivoryton Playhouse)
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R. Bruce Connelly and Bonnie Black in Ivoryton Playhouse’s I’m Connecticut (Ivoryton Playhouse)
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Quinn Corcoran is a charming Marc, guiding the audience through the story as both character and narrator. He has strong comedic timing, and great chemistry with Diane, played by Deanna Ott. Ott is a delight, and fun to watch as she teases Corcoran. The two play off of each other very well.
R. Bruce Connelly is wonderful as “Grandpa,” from the comedic moments to the more poignant. Bonnie Black, as both Judith and Polly, is equally so. Connelly and Black are a great pair. Michael Barra is hilarious as Kyle, Marc’s coworker–and a constant abuser of “free food on your birthday.” Kenneth Robert Marlo gives a strong performance as the somewhat sleazy Manager at the speed-dating company, while John C. Baker is quite funny as Mark Twain, the country of Canada, and other ensemble roles. Rounding out the company are Nathan Szymanski, Alexis Trice, and Stephanie Wasser, who play everything from dates, to states.
R. Bruce Connelly is wonderful as “Grandpa,” from the comedic moments to the more poignant. Bonnie Black, as both Judith and Polly, is equally so. Connelly and Black are a great pair. Michael Barra is hilarious as Kyle, Marc’s coworker–and a constant abuser of “free food on your birthday.” Kenneth Robert Marlo gives a strong performance as the somewhat sleazy Manager at the speed-dating company, while John C. Baker is quite funny as Mark Twain, the country of Canada, and other ensemble roles. Rounding out the company are Nathan Szymanski, Alexis Trice, and Stephanie Wasser, who play everything from dates, to states.
Alexis Trice and Quinn Corcoran in Ivoryton Playhouse’s I’m Connecticut (Ivoryton Playhouse)
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Stephanie Wasser, Michael Barra, and Alexis Trice in Ivoryton Playhouse’s I’m Connecticut (Ivoryton Playhouse)
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Hubbard and the design team bring Reiss’ world to life in a sitcom-style setting. The stage is framed by cartoonish projections from designer John Horzen and assistant projection designer Anna Horzen, that support the bright, colorful scenic design by Starlet Jacobs. Lighting design by Kyle Stamm adds to the vision with sharp cuts as Marc breaks the fourth wall.
Costumes by designer Sean Spina are tasteful and effective. Alan Piotrowicz’s sound design–with Brian Salva as audio engineer–is well-executed, and strong overall. Shoutout to props designer Kat Schorn for supplying everything from 8-year-old fruit cake squares, to wearable states, to brains with birthday candles in them–you never know what you might find on a props list! James Joseph Clark and Holly Price serve as stage manager and assistant stage manager for the production.
Costumes by designer Sean Spina are tasteful and effective. Alan Piotrowicz’s sound design–with Brian Salva as audio engineer–is well-executed, and strong overall. Shoutout to props designer Kat Schorn for supplying everything from 8-year-old fruit cake squares, to wearable states, to brains with birthday candles in them–you never know what you might find on a props list! James Joseph Clark and Holly Price serve as stage manager and assistant stage manager for the production.
John C. Baker as Mark Twain in Ivoryton Playhouse’s I’m Connecticut (Ivoryton Playhouse)
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Ivoryton Playhouse’s I’m Connecticut (Ivoryton Playhouse)
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All in all, it’s an enjoyable production that keeps the tone relatively light. It’s quite funny, though the humor does have some color to it–and a few darker jokes interspersed. The house speech at the top of the show went so far as to note that the writer was both Jewish and fond of self-deprecating humor, which helps to set the tone before the onslaught of jokes begin. From Mark Twain to the Uconn Huskies, there are plenty of Connecticut references–though I do wish they'd taken advantage of touting Connecticut as the "Pizza Capital," with there already being a pizza scene in the show.
Head over to Ivoryton Playhouse to enjoy the final few performances of this hilarious show. I’m Connecticut runs through April 19, 2026.
I’m Connecticut plays March 26 - April 19, 2026, at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at ivorytonplayhouse.org/our-season/im-connecticut or by calling the Box Office at (860) 767-7318.
Head over to Ivoryton Playhouse to enjoy the final few performances of this hilarious show. I’m Connecticut runs through April 19, 2026.
I’m Connecticut plays March 26 - April 19, 2026, at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at ivorytonplayhouse.org/our-season/im-connecticut or by calling the Box Office at (860) 767-7318.