All stories by Christopher Arnott on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

HartBeat Ensemble’s ‘Where We Stand’ explores community and personal responsibility by Christopher Arnott

The audience will get to decide the fate of the person onstage in Donnetta Lavinia Grays' "Where We Stand," produced by HartBeat Ensemble at Trinity College's Austin Arts Center.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Sunday, October 5, 2025

Pop icons The Smithereens still carrying on with a trio of well-known vocalists in the rotation by Christopher Arnott

When lead singer Pat DiNizio died in 2017, the band developed a rotation of guest vocalists, including John Cowsill who will be joining them for an Oct. 10 show at The Kate.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

New version of classic murder mystery making its world premiere at Hartford Stage by Christopher Arnott

Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher has crafted a new version of Patrick Hamilton's 1929 thriller "Rope," which is making its world premiere at Hartford Stage from Oct. 10 through Nov. 2.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Saturday, October 4, 2025

Get up and move with a ballet, a disco and ‘90s dance parties this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Oct. 5-11 also include renown guitarists, a New York comedy troupe and the magical illusions.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, October 3, 2025

Teaching Taylor Swift: Why a CT professor is adding ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ to her curriculum by Christopher Arnott

The SCSU instructor was up late studying Taylor Swift’s new album and how it might suit her curriculum for an upcoming class on interpersonal communications.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:57PM

Long Wharf Theatre’s artistic director stepping down after six years of big changes by Christopher Arnott

The theater credits Jacob Padrón with expanding the theater’s reach to underserved audiences, increasing cultural diversity and spurring a increase in first-time attendees.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Thursday, October 2, 2025

Theater review: ‘The Notebook’ is a beautifully balanced romantic musical at The Bushnell by Christopher Arnott

The national tour of the Broadway musical romance based on the Nicholas Sparks novel opened The Bushnell's fall season with a little affection and warmth.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:30AM
Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Theater review: Roots rockers unite for clean, cool ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at Playhouse on Park by Christopher Arnott

The latest Connecticut rendition of the rock 'n' roll musical at Playhouse on Park features performers well steeped in the songs and characters.

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

Theater review: New Seven Angels leaders keep comedy alive with musical farce ‘Lucky Stiff’ by Christopher Arnott

The first show from new management team at Seven Angeles Theatre in Waterbury is a frantic musical farce with a corpse at the center of it.

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

‘Night Fall’ is back in Bushnell Park with a ‘new vibe’ for the autumnal arts tradition by Christopher Arnott

The 2025 rendition of the community-driven performance that marks the change of seasons will take place on Oct. 4 and will also feature food trucks, info booths and activities.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 09:55AM
Sunday, September 28, 2025

Mystic Film Festival offers dozens of films including a comedy/drama about breast cancer awareness by Christopher Arnott

This year's Mystic Film Festival, held at three locations in New London County and one in Rhode Island, features several films with Connecticut themes as well as distinctive national feature…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Creative choices bring about one of the most exciting CT fall theater seasons in years by Christopher Arnott

The fall theater season in Connecticut gets off to a grand start with openings at The Bushnell, TheaterWorks Hartford, Yale Repertory Theatre and Goodspeed's Terris Theatre.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Saturday, September 27, 2025

Performers go from the screen to the stage this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 include a WIllimantic-based rock band, country crooners Keith Urban and Tyler Hubbard and a New Haven comedian.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Theater review: Goodspeed restores grit and emotional power of ‘A Chorus Line’ by Christopher Arnott

The 50th anniversary production of "A Chorus Line" is well cast and understands what made the original work so well in the first place.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:45AM
Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Famed songwriter gets honest about his career, feuding fans and sense of humor before CT show by Christopher Arnott

Hayes Carll, who has earned comparisons to everyone from Townes Van Zandt to Randy Newman for his blend of philosophy and humor, is at Hamden's Space Ballroom on Wednesday.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:45AM
Monday, September 22, 2025

Foo Fighters announce surprise show at Toad’s Place by Christopher Arnott

Tickets for the Foo Fighters’ surprise show on Tuesday at Toad's Place in New Haven are $30 with strict provisions.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 04:37PM
Sunday, September 21, 2025

Cleverly displayed William Blake exhibit at Yale Center for British Arts draws you in by Christopher Arnott

William Blake's art, which can make cosmic and supernatural subjects seem tender and accessible, is displayed in the new exhibit "Burning Bright" at the Yale Center for British Art through N…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Hothead Paisan comics hot again with new collection of CT artist’s provocative 1990s creation by Christopher Arnott

Artist Diane DiMassa will be discussing her work and signing copies of the new book on Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Real Art Ways in Hartford.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Hank Azaria serves up his unique Springsteen tribute at The Big E with a side of ‘The Simpsons’ by Christopher Arnott

Actor Hank Azaria has been a Bruce Springsteen fan since he was a child. He brings his tribute act, Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band, to The Big E Sept. 22 and 23.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Saturday, September 20, 2025

Bands and artists that defy the decades hit the stage this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Sept. 21-27 include a slew of rock acts from the '70s, '80s and '90s, comedians Adam Sandler and Greg Gutfeld and Alec Baldwin at Westport Playhouse.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, September 19, 2025

MGK to return to CT on his worldwide ‘Lost Americana Tour’ in 2026 by Christopher Arnott

MGK, also known as Machine Gun Kelly, will play Hartford's Xfinity Theatre on June 6, 2026, toward the end of his upcoming world tour.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:41PM
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Country crooner Chris Stapleton to play two nights at Mohegan Sun Arena in 2026 by Christopher Arnott

The country star who seldom plays Connecticut will do two shows at Mohegan Sun Arena on Feb. 27 and 28, 2026.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:20PM
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Internationally known jazz organist returns to CT where his love for music began by Christopher Arnott

Brian Charette grew up playing piano in Connecticut jazz clubs. On Sept. 19, the internationally known organist returns to play at the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Monday, September 15, 2025

Branford’s Legacy Theatre announces fewer shows with longer runs for 2026 season by Christopher Arnott

The Legacy Theatre in Branford has announced its three-play 2026 season, which starts in April 2026 and runs through October. The comedy-heavy season features the popular musical “Nunsense…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 09:52AM
Sunday, September 14, 2025

Halloween comes early with homegrown ‘Hocus Pocus Live!’ flying into stages around CT by Christopher Arnott

Summer Orlando's original "Hocus Pocus Live!" show, which boasts a cast of 10 and lots of parody songs, has been getting bigger and more popular every year.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:45AM

Charmagne Tripp is sharing her ‘Hartford Soul’ with a new live EP and a new ensemble by Christopher Arnott

Hartford-based neo-soul singer Charmagne Tripp has released her first live concert recording and has brought in some new musicians for her upcoming shows.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Saturday, September 13, 2025

Musicians from some of most important rock acts of all time take center stage this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Sept. 14-20 include legendary rockers, a horror convention, a storytelling festival and a Connecticut All-Starz night featuring five DJs.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Modern art exhibit at Wadsworth turns historic bank heist into deeply felt art by Christopher Arnott

Sofía Gallisá Muriente's MATRIX exhibit, on view at the Wadsworth through Feb. 1, is an artful examination of a 1983 bank heist and how it affected Hartford's Puerto Rican community.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Thursday, September 11, 2025

Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison hosts screenings of classic concert film he helped restore by Christopher Arnott

The keyboardist/guitarist has taken “Stop Making Sense” on the road with two Connecticut stops: Friday at the Garde Arts Center and Saturday at District Music Hall.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:00AM
Wednesday, September 10, 2025

CT foundation awards $6M in grants in a show of support for theaters, museums and arts nonprofits by Christopher Arnott

Grants were awarded to major institutions such as The Bushnell and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, as well as small modern dance troupes in the Greater Hartford area.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:00PM
Sunday, September 7, 2025

World-renowned political theater troupe bringing the revolution back to CT by Christopher Arnott

The Vermont-based Bread and Puppet Theater is making three stops in Connecticut with its new show “Our Domestic Resurrection Revolution in Progress Circus."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:30AM

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