Patron Fund
Contributions are a critical source of revenue for Connecticut Repertory Theatre. We are delighted you’ve elected to subscribe to CRT and ask that you consider adding a contribution to your subscription payment toward our Patron Fund. Patron Fund contributions help fund students scholarships and go a long way toward enabling us to continue to provide Northeast Connecticut with outstanding theatre. Contributors to the Patron Fund of $150 and more will be listed in our Playbills and on our Patron Board in the lobby.
You can contribute to the Patron Fund by adding the following amount to your subscription payment:
Contributor $50
Patron $150
Associate $250
Donor $500 or more
Mike Reiss, real and “Simpsonized”
Last year Connecticut Repertory Theatre produced my first play, I’m Connecticut and it was a great experience for me as a writer, and I hope it was also a great experience for you as an audience member.
I grew up in Bristol but have been living and working in New York and Los Angeles most of my adult life. Writing about my home state in my first play was rewarding, especially when I saw how the audience reacted to the show. Much to my surprise, I’m Connecticut became the biggest selling non-musical ever produced in CRT’s Main Stage Series. It won a Special Recognition award from the Connecticut Critics Circle and was named one of the top 10 shows of 2011 by the Hartford Courant. I’m grateful to CRT for producing a show by a first-time playwright and I’m grateful to you for making it such a success. My wife tells me to quit while I’m ahead – I’ll never have an experience this good again. She’s probably right.
I’m Connecticut was my first play but far from my first experience writing. I’ve served as writer/producer for The Simpsons from its beginning and am currently working on season 24. I received a Peabody Award in 2006 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus. I co-created the animated series The Critic, featuring actor Jon Lovitz, and created Showtime’s hit cartoon Queer Duck (about a gay duck). But enough about me . . .
No wait, here’s a little more about me. My other TV credits include It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, ALF, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I also co-wrote The Simpsons Movie, The Lorax, Horton Hears A Who! and Ice Age, Dawn of the Dinosaurs. I have published 17 children’s books, including seven Christmas tales. Not bad for a Jewish guy with no kids.
Now, that’s way too much about me . . . I’m writing to ask you to support the work at Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Like all professional theatre companies, CRT relies on donations to continue to produce great theatre for Eastern Connecticut. CRT is truly unique. As a professional company it produces great shows and as a training theatre it educates the artists of tomorrow. The special alchemy of intensive training and professional level performance is predicated on the loyal support of our community both as audience members and contributors to the Patron Fund.
Jerry Adler and Joyce DeWitt
Donations to the Patron Fund are used for general support for CRT productions and to provide scholarships to drama students. I’ve seen first-hand how wonderful and exciting it is to see talented young artists working side by side with accomplished professionals like Joyce DeWitt and Jerry Adler, who both appeared in I’m Connecticut. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the Patron Fund by completing the enclosed donation form and sending it in the enclosed return envelope. I know I did, and I’m the cheapest man alive. I hope you’ll play your part in creating another great season at CRT and providing scholarships to promising drama students.
Sincerely,
Mike Reiss
CRT Donation Form
For more information, call Frank Mack, Managing Director, at 860-486-4799
