Ridgefield Playhouse's October Lineup to Include Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Madigan, and More

Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut presents a variety of performances in October, including an appearance from Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Madigan, and more.

This October, two events especially for children will delight while teaching about space and animal adventure at The Ridgefield Playhouse. On Thursday, October 9, at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., Theatre IV will present Apollo to the Moon, the nationally acclaimed drama of America's race to the moon. On Saturday, October 11, at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m., a bevy of wild animals will be the stars on stage. Adults and children alike will discover just how friendly and smart exotic animals can be when Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom with Peter Gros (pictured) comes to The Ridgefield Playhouse. For tickets ($10 Apollo to the Moon; $25 Wild Kingdom), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or go online ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Red hot jazz, wine, cheese and art will kick off Ridgefield's The Big Read program when the Cab Calloway Orchestra comes to town on Friday, October 10, at 7:30 p.m. The iconic "Hi-De-Ho" lyrics, silky smooth ensemble work, spicy brass harmonies and an irresistible dance beat will make the audience want to rise up, bounce, tap, sway and swing. Just like they did at Gatsby's house in the decadent '20s era portrayed by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the great American novel The Great Gatsby, the book selected by The Ridgefield Playhouse in partnership with the Ridgefield Library for Ridgefield's town-wide participation in The Big Read. Under the baton of Cab's grandson, Calloway Brooks, the Orchestra delivers the same sizzling jazz sound and snazzy stage style of his grandfather, Cab Calloway. A complimentary wine and cheese tasting courtesy of No. 109 Cheese & Wine and an artist's reception will start the evening off in style from 6:30 -7:15 p.m. For tickets ($38), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or order online ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Star of screen, stage and TV, the incomparable Whoopi Goldberg is coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, October 11, at 8:30 p.m. The Color Purple, Sister Act, Ghost, Star Trek, and Eddie are just a few of the hit movies and TV shows that Hollywood's famous Whoopi Goldberg has starred in. And now, she's coming to Ridgefield! Currently one of four hosts of the daytime television show The View on CBS, Whoopi is well known for her witty, sarcastic comments and hilarious facial expressions. Kathleen Madigan returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, October 18, at 8 p.m. for another laugh-out-loud show. Over her 25-year career, she has performed on nearly every standup television show. Her last hour-long special, Gone Madigan, premiered on Showtime and is available on Netflix. For tickets ($125 Whoopi Goldberg, $49.50 Kathleen Madigan), call the box office at 203-438-5795 or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Operas and plays will be broadcast live in HD to The Ridgefield Playhouse, complete with behind-the-scenes tours and commentary by some of the genres' most revered stars. From the Met in New York City comes Verdi's masterpiece Macbeth on Sunday, October 12, at 12 p.m., with star soprano Anna Netrebko as Lady Macbeth and �eljko Lu?i?'s as Macbeth. A new production of Le Nozze di Figaro will inspire on Saturday, October 18, at 12:55 p.m. with bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov in the title role, opposite Marlis Petersen as his bride, Susanna. From London's National Theatre on Friday, October 31, Frankenstein starring Benedict Cumberbatch the most appropriate Frankenstein will star Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating roles as Victor Frankenstein and his creation. For tickets ($25 adults, $18 each for either series, $20 seniors & $15 students by calling the box office), call the box o Grammy nominee Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. In his Best of Rufus Wainwright concert at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, October 19, at 8 p.m., he'll bring together many varied genres including, pop, opera, baroque, rock, classical and ragtime into his own unique style. His newest album, Vibrate: The Best of Rufus, features 18 standout songs that define one of modern music's most innovative talents, as well as a brand new recording, "Me and Liza". For tickets ($60), call the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.