All stories by Christopher Arnott on BroadwayStars

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Theater review: National tour of historical musical ‘Suffs’ spins a stirring tale of women’s rights by Christopher Arnott

The historical musical, playing at The Bushnell through Feb. 1, elevates the leaders of the women's suffrage movement. When they begin notching up triumphs, you feel their thrill.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 08:47AM
Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Meadows Music Theatre adds summer concerts featuring Dave Matthews Band, Kid Cudi, Akon and Ne-Yo by Christopher Arnott

The outdoor/indoor amphitheatre has announced three more shows for its 2026 season: Kid Cudi on June 3, Dave Matthews Band on July 25 and a double bill of Ne-Yo and Akon on July 26.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:38PM

Theater review: ‘The Cottage’ is a wild farce with a message at Hartford Stage by Christopher Arnott

Sandy Rustin's wacky parody of 1920s British comedies has a lot of other things going for it.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 12:15PM
Monday, January 26, 2026

Double bill of Lionel Richie and Earth Wind & Fire heading to Hartford this summer by Christopher Arnott

Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie have each played Connecticut many times but are on a tour together this year that will visit PeoplesBank Arena.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:54PM

Theater review: ‘Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha’ brings people together for communal experience at Yale Rep by Christopher Arnott

Julia Masli's one-person-plus-audience performance piece is a unique, sometimes overwhelming social experiment in artistic problem-solving at the Yale Repertory Theatre.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Sunday, January 25, 2026

Are tribute bands a scourge or a savior? Either way, it is hard to avoid them in CT by Christopher Arnott

Tribute bands serve a real purpose but may be becoming a glut on the market. In the next two weeks, there are 10 acts at four clubs generally known for new music around the state.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:30AM

Award-winning musical about women’s fight for voting rights still resonates as tour comes to CT by Christopher Arnott

Shaina Taub, who created “Suffs” to highlight an important chapter in U.S. history, looks forward to sharing the stories of the women who sparked the movement as it tours the country.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Saturday, January 24, 2026

Familiar faces from TV and music stages mix it up with solo and side gigs this week in CT by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Jan. 25-31 include Ghostface Killah, Michael Rapaport, Gene Loves Jezebel, Robert Davi and "Dancing with the Stars Live!"

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, January 23, 2026

Broadway comedy hit ‘Oh, Mary!’ launches national tour this fall with date at The Bushnell by Christopher Arnott

The Tony Award winning play has announced its first national tour with a stop in Hartford in September. It’s the first show of The Bushnell’s 2026-27 season to be announced.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Thursday, January 22, 2026

CT finds its way into Oscar-nominated movies for 2026 from ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ to ‘Train Dreams’ by Christopher Arnott

Many of the just-announced 2026 Oscar nominated actors, directors, designers and others have lived or worked in Connecticut. Here's who they are.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 04:21PM
Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Politically conscious CT theater company moves to new location after sale of longtime home by Christopher Arnott

HartBeat Ensemble is moving to Trinity College with the plan to provide students the ability to work with professional artists.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 09:28AM
Monday, January 19, 2026

CT theater world remembers world-changing New England Shakespeare director. ‘We’ve lost a titan’ by Christopher Arnott

Tina Packer, the co-founder of Shakespeare & Co. in Massachusetts, has died at the age of 87. She influenced countless actors, directors and teachers in Connecticut and beyond.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:30AM
Sunday, January 18, 2026

Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s MLK tribute concert offers message of ‘The Fierce Urgency of Now’ by Christopher Arnott

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra's tribute to the late civil rights leader, Jan. 22 at Asylum Hill Church in Hartford, offers a concert of classical, gospel and modern music.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Yale Center for British Art probes the artistic influence of a ruthless global conglomerate by Christopher Arnott

“Painters, Ports, and Profit: Artists and the East India Company, 1750-1850," on view through June 21, highlights artists from India, Britain, and China that worked during that era.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:30AM
Saturday, January 17, 2026

One-man (and woman) shows make big noises this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

Was there a New Year’s resolution in theater to slim down a little? The latest mainstage show at Yale Repertory Theatre has one single performer, and the musical opening this week at Playh…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, January 16, 2026

Broadway performer and Branford native named new artistic director of Legacy Theatre by Christopher Arnott

Keely Baisden Knudsen, the theater's founding artistic director, is handing over the reins to Branford native Eric Santagata, a director, choreographer and educator.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:45AM
Monday, January 12, 2026

Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals looks to the future while celebrating its first 20 years by Christopher Arnott

The Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals returns to the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam with readings of the new musicals-in-progress "Foolproof," "F Word" and "Miss Hysteria."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Sunday, January 11, 2026

‘Frozen’ ice spectacle back at PeoplesBank Arena with skating, dancing, and fairy tale storytelling by Christopher Arnott

Disney on Ice offers a double feature based on two of the biggest Disney animated features of this century for the latest spectacular to hit Hartford.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

‘The Cottage’ promises to be a rare mix of comedy and romance at Hartford Stage by Christopher Arnott

The Sandy Rustin comedy brings wit to the winter season with a farce set in the British countryside in the 1920s.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Saturday, January 10, 2026

Enjoy music and comedy in an intimate ‘living room’ atmosphere this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Jan. 11-17 also include Keyshia Cole's anniversary tour, Bishop Allen's reunion tour and the Nelson twins' tribute to their father.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Folk artists from around New England to honor CT DJ with a ‘Festival of Song’ at The Sounding Board by Christopher Arnott

Over a dozen local, regional or national folk artists are convening at The Sounding Board on Saturday to honor Susan Forbes Hansen, a longtime local folk DJ.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 10:00AM

Work of renowned CT historical artist lives on through American Revolution documentaries, and more by Christopher Arnott

David R. Wagner, known for his paintings of the American Revolution, died in December but his work lives on.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Monday, January 5, 2026

CT-born bluegrass star has a hit album with Steve Martin and an upcoming gig at The Kate by Christopher Arnott

Alison Brown, a Hartford native who now lives in Nashville, returns to Connecticut at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook with her touring band on Jan. 10.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Sunday, January 4, 2026

CT rings in 2026 with a months-long list of events to honor the United States Semiquincentennial by Christopher Arnott

A slew of events marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S., from historic exhibits to musical concerts, are taking place in Connecticut starting in January.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Storied alt-rock act headlines annual Blizzard B-Day Bash that celebrates band’s new drummer by Christopher Arnott

The rock act Tantric, founded in the 1990s, may seem an unlikely headliner for Opus' Blizzard B-Day Bash at Toad’s Place until you realize the birthday boy is a new member.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Saturday, January 3, 2026

Baby Grand Jazz series returns to Hartford Public Library with outstanding regional talent by Christopher Arnott

The library's esteemed, piano-centered series runs every Sunday afternoon, except for Easter Sunday, from Jan. 4 through April 26.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:30AM

What’s old is new again this week in CT arts from dinosaurs to a 15th-century pageant by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Jan. 4-10 include also include country siblings The Band Perry, blues guitarist Ana Popovic, rocker Griffin Benton and reggae star Luciano.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Acclaimed stage, TV and movie actor to star in ‘Death of a Salesman’ at Hartford Stage by Christopher Arnott

The production, running Feb. 27 through March 29, will star Peter Jacobson, best known for his roles in TV series such as "House" and "The Americans."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Monday, December 29, 2025

Ring in the New Year in CT with some laughs from improv to stand-up comedy by Christopher Arnott

There are dozens of comedy shows happening around Connecticut on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day or New Year's weekend to welcome in 2026.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Sunday, December 28, 2025

CT band ready to take on the International Blues Challenge in Memphis by Christopher Arnott

The New Haven Chicago-style blues band Chicago Dawgs won a state competition this fall and will now compete against 100 other bands in Tennessee.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

CT theaters large and small are greeting 2026 with optimism and cool, different shows by Christopher Arnott

Community theaters learned to readjust during the COVID shutdown and appear to have emerged stronger as they looking ahead to a fascinating year of live shows.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off