It’s going to be a “Girls Night” at The Bushnell in Hartford on Feb. 20.
That’s the name of the “tell-it-like-it-is” musical that first began touring off-Broadway in the United States in 2007. Since then, it has received numerous accolades including being described as “an infectious, exhilarating sense of intoxication” in the Hollywood Reporter and “As funny and outrageous as Sex and the City” in The Advocate.
“Girls Night” follows five friends on a night out as they revisit their past and celebrate the present – and don’t worry, despite its name, you can bring the guys out for this one too.
“This five-woman show explores friendships, relationships, and the bonds that stick with you through thick and thin all while showcasing your favorite songs from the 80’s and 90’s,” said Kate Alden, who has played multiple roles in “Girls Night” and serves as the musical’s associate director. “It’s a hilarious homage to a multitude of eras that doesn’t shy away from raunchy jokes, all the best classic girl anthems, and plenty of audience involvement.”
Audiences can expect to hear performances of songs like “I Will Survive,” “Lady Marmalade,” and “We Are Family,” just to name a few.
“You can’t do a show with girl anthems without featuring ‘I Will Survive’ and ‘Man I Feel Like a Woman,’ but I’d say my favorite song to sing is ‘Lady Marmalade’ because all of the girls sing it together and it’s such a powerhouse song,” said Alden.
What makes “Girls Night” such a special production is that it features rotating cast members, and all of the women involved with the production are just as close as they appear to be on stage. “We’ve been in each other’s weddings, traveled the world together, and have genuinely close friendships with each other outside of the show,” Alden said.
And as fun as “Girls Night” is, the importance of a musical about female friendship and empowerment cannot be understated, Alden explained.
“There’s something really special about being a woman and having girlfriends that totally get you and this musical celebrates that in a way that is very unique,” she said. “It taps into the empowerment of female bonds and embodies parts of certain time periods that wouldn’t necessarily showcase those kinds of conversations and relationships. It peels back the lens and allows women to embrace their own experiences, humor, joy and strength as well as the beauty of their close friendships.”
“Girls Night: The Musical” will be staged at The Bushnell in Hartford on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at bushnell.org. Be sure to bring your singing voice and favorite dancing shoes, because audience involvement is encouraged.
“’Girls Night’ is such a fun night out, so grab your besties and some boas and hit the town with us,” Alden said.
