MIDDLETOWN - People often will ask me why Broadway is always doing the same old thing that was on stage many years ago--don’t they do anything new? I swoop down and ask if they’ve heard of The Book of Mormon or Jersey Boys, Les Miserables, Kinky Boots or Wicked.

       I happen to also welcome revivals since I missed some older Broadway hits due to my prior commitments in first or second grade, or even learning how to walk or not being born yet. I couldn’t see Mary Martin in The Sound of Music or Yul Brenner in The King and I, so I’m happy to see a show like that being revived.

       This year is busy in the revival world on Broadway and lucky for us they are also coming to The Bushnell in Hartford on tour with Evita and Pippin, to name just a few. So three cheers for the revivals. It’s true that the sequel is never the equal, but most of us would be denied seeing great older shows if they didn’t revive them now and again.

       I was going to mention some summer outdoor fun this year at Goodspeed that coincidentally is nothing but revivals. I really enjoy going over to the Goodspeed to see a show. There is something intrinsically summer in walking near the cool breeze off the Connecticut River on a warm day that says good summer theater. This year, the Goodspeed started April 11 with a wonderful revival of Damn Yankees, which is playing until June 21. This is the story of a losing ball team willing to do anything to win the World Series--anything at all, even sell their soul to the devil. And that’s just what they do. First on Broadway in 1955 (see I told you I was too young to see it) and starring Gwen Verdon with songs like â€�"Whatever Lola Wants” and â€�"You Gotta Have Heart,” you can catch baseball fever at the Goodspeed before June 21 when it leaves town.

       Following Damn Yankees is one of the all-time classic musicals, first on Broadway in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof--here again, another show I missed due to grade school. Playing through Sept. 7, this 50th anniversary production has all the great songs, â€�"Sunrise, Sunset,” â€�"Tradition,” â€�"If I were a Rich Man,”--I could go on and on. One of the original long runs on Broadway, surpassing 3,000 performances and having several revivals since its original run, this is a superb example of a rich and warm family story. Don’t miss it.

       And following â€�"Fiddler” from Sept. 19 to Nov. 30 will be Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. You know, the show where they put on a show in a barn in the winter to entertain the troops and to save the country and where they sing â€�"White Christmas.” Sure, all great revivals at the Goodspeed this year like last summer’s hot ticket, Hello, Dolly.

       Some other revivals of a sort are coming to the Hartford Stage when they begin their new season in September. Among the productions will be a terrific new telling of Shakespeare’s most famous work, Hamlet. First put on somewhere around 1599, this is one revival you won’t soon forget if you’ve never experienced it. There is not much that I can say that hasn’t been written about this play, other than don’t miss it--I hear this production will be memorable. Hamlet plays from Oct. 16 through Nov. 9. Hartford Stage promises this tragic tale of revenge will have the full-on, terrifying and bloody treatment. I think that’s good. Well, either way I’m going.

       Also on the list of revivals is Cole Porter’s Kiss me Kate, coming in the spring next year. A joyful and high-spirited musical comedy follows the backstage antics of a touring company performing â€�"The Taming of the Shrew,” featuring two feuding couples. Throw in a gun-toting gangster or two and some classic Porter songs and you’ve got a winner.

       For more information on shows at The Bushnell, please visit www.Bushnell.org . For shows at the Hartford Stage, visit www.Bushnell.org . Tickets will go quickly, so don’t delay and enjoy a revival or two. If you missed it the first time around, how often do you get a second chance? Enjoy.

       Jeffrey LaGrange can be reached at jefflagrange@yahoo.com