All stories by Christopher Arnott on BroadwayStars

Friday, January 26, 2024

My Morning Jacket, four other bands added to Capitol Groove outdoor music festival by Christopher Arnott

My Morning Jacket, Celisse, Ozomatli, The Suffers and Vincent Lima were added to the lineup for June's Capitol Groove music festival in Hartford's Bushnell Park.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:54PM

Hartford Stage’s Melia Bensussen appointed artistic director of National Playwrights Conference by Christopher Arnott

Melia Bensussen tabbed to run the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center while remaining artistic director at Hartford Stage.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 09:59AM
Thursday, January 25, 2024

National Endowment for the Arts awards 2024 grants to a dozen CT organizations by Christopher Arnott

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a total of $200,000 in grants to 12 Connecticut arts organizations, including the Amistad Center in Hartford.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 10:56AM
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Where to see the Oscar-nominated movies on the big screen in Connecticut by Christopher Arnott

Some movies nominated for Academy Awards on Tuesday are still in local theaters, playing on big screens. Here's where to catch them in Connecticut.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:10PM

2024 Oscar hopefuls include Yale grads and CT natives. Here’s a list of nominees with Nutmeg State ties. by Christopher Arnott

At least 10 people who received Oscar nominations Tuesday have connections to Connecticut, whether they grew up here, lived here or worked here.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 11:35AM
Sunday, January 21, 2024

Arnott: Looking back at all the ways Oscar favorite Paul Giamatti first made his mark at Yale by Christopher Arnott

Before he was a movie star, Paul Giamatti starred on the star at Yale. Here are some of Courant writer Christopher Arnott's most memorable Giamatti performances.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

‘Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson: Apt. 2B’ features a feminist twist on the murder mystery at Playhouse on Park by Christopher Arnott

A new comedy mystery from Kate Hamill takes the male-dominated story of Detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson and flips the script at Playhouse on Park.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Saturday, January 20, 2024

TheaterWorks Hartford hires first managing director in 39-year history by Christopher Arnott

TheaterWorks Hartford named Jeff Griffin its first managing director. Griffin has held similar positions at theaters in New York City and Washington D.C.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 08:00AM

Women take center stage in CT with rocker Grace Potter and funny women Sommore and Mary Lynn Rajskub by Christopher Arnott

This week's Courant arts picks include a female-focused Ramones tribute act, rocker Grace Potter and stand-up comedians Sommore and Mary Lynn Rajskub.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, January 19, 2024

Hartford Jewish Film Festival screening local filmmaker’s documentary about excavation of a Nazi extermination camp by Christopher Arnott

Local filmmaker Gary Hochman's documentary "Deadly Deception at Sobibor," about the excavation of a Nazi extermination site, is screening Sunday at the Mandell JCC.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

West Coast skate punk band FIDLAR making rare Connecticut stop at Toad’s Place by Christopher Arnott

FIDLAR frontman Zac Carper talks about the band's new approach to touring and recording, memories of New Haven and his recovery from substance abuse.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Thursday, January 18, 2024

Theater review: A gritty ‘Hairspray’ let its hair down at Waterbury Palace Theater by Christopher Arnott

The national tour stop of the Broadway hit "Hairspray” at the Palace Theater in Waterbury benefited from being rough and earthy instead of slick and shiny.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Goodspeed announces 2024 musicals selected for developmental workshops at Norma Terris Theatre by Christopher Arnott

Three new musicals, including "A Complicated Woman" and "Ask for the Moon," will be workshopped at Goodspeed Musicals' Norma Terris Theatre in Chester this year.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Connecticut Emerge Festival re-emerging in West Hartford to promote CT music scene by Christopher Arnott

The Connecticut Emerge Festival is returning after nearly a decade off with a new goal of buying time in a professional recording studio for local musicians.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 11:03AM

Janet Jackson’s ‘Together Again’ tour coming to Xfinity Theater in Hartford with opening act Nelly by Christopher Arnott

A new leg of Janet Jackson's Together Again tour has been announced, including a June 29 date at the Xfinity Theater in Hartford.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 09:42AM

CT star of 2023 film ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ hosting Q&A, screening at Garde Arts Center by Christopher Arnott

Connecticut-raised actor Kate MacCluggage is hosting a screening of the 2023 film "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Sunday at the Garde Arts Center in New London.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Tuesday, January 16, 2024

CT-filmed movie ‘The Featherweight’ premiers with private screening in Hartford, film festival in Norwalk by Christopher Arnott

"The Featherweight," about legendary Hartford prizefighter Willie Pep, will have its Connecticut premiere at the Norwalk Film Festival and a private screening at The Bushnell.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 10:34AM
Sunday, January 14, 2024

Hartford Stage readies for premiere of deeply emotional father/daughter drama ‘Simona’s Search’ by Christopher Arnott

The new Martín Zimmerman play "Simona's Search" has its world premiere Jan. 18 through Feb. 11 at Hartford Stage.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Seven Angels Theatre kicks off year with new programming featuring concert series, four-play season by Christopher Arnott

Waterbury's Seven Angels Theatre has altered its programming style, offering several months of concerts before starting its 2024 season of plays and musicals.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Saturday, January 13, 2024

Take your pick of top-tier comedians and ’80s rockers this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Jan. 14-20 include comedians Mike Epps and Jay Pharaoh, '80s heartthrobs Richard Marx and Rick Springfield, and a premiere of a boxing movie made in Hartford.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Rediscover the original musical glory of ‘Hairspray’ at the Waterbury Palace by Christopher Arnott

A national tour of "Hairspray," the 1960s coming of age story that was one of the biggest Broadway hits of the 2000s, is at the Waterbury Palace Jan. 16-18.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Monday, January 8, 2024

Yale drama school grads Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph big winners at Golden Globes for ‘The Holdovers’ by Christopher Arnott

Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, both of whom studied acting at Yale, both won Golden Globes Sunday night for their performances in "The Holdovers."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:41PM
Sunday, January 7, 2024

Beloved metalhead and local musician Opus readies another raucous birthday party at Toad’s Place by Christopher Arnott

Local musician Opus has been holding his birthday bash at Toad's Place for decades. They have become a prime gathering place for the Connecticut metal community.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals kicks off new year with new readings by Christopher Arnott

The Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals offers readings of three musical theater works-in-progress, cabaret shows, seminars and gatherings.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Saturday, January 6, 2024

New Capitol Groove outdoor music festival will bring bands and craft beverages to Bushnell Park in June by Christopher Arnott

A new outdoor music festival, "Capitol Groove," will feature 14 bands including The Revivalists, Dispatch and The Head and the Heart June 29-30 at Bushnell Park in Hartford.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 07:00AM

Groove with dinosaurs and ‘Dancing with the Stars’ this week in CT arts by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Jan. 7-13 include "Dancing with the Stars," a Genesis tribute, comedy from Cocoa Brown and '90s hip-hop from The Lox.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

New Haven’s Shubert Theatre scores another big comedy booking with Kevin Hart by Christopher Arnott

Kevin Hart is scheduled to play the Shubert Theatre in New Haven on Jan. 15. The 1,667-seat venue continues to up its game with recent major comedy bookings.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, January 5, 2024

Beat the winter blues with free concerts at State House Square in Hartford by Christopher Arnott

The free Winter Blues series is returning to Hartford in February with top local blues guitarists playing Thursdays inside the State House Square building.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:10PM

‘Mystic Pizza’ musical part of newly announced 2024 season at Ivoryton Playhouse by Christopher Arnott

The Ivoryton Playhouse released its 2024 schedule which includes a new holiday show, a new tribute to the Everly Brothers and a musical based on the movie "Mystic Pizza."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 10:20AM
Thursday, January 4, 2024

How to celebrate Three Kings Day in Connecticut by Christopher Arnott

Three Kings Day falls on Saturday this year. In Hartford, there are two big traditions with a parade and the Boars Head and Yule Log Festival.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Sunday, December 31, 2023

How a CT native became the tour coordinator for dozens of skating characters with Disney on Ice by Christopher Arnott

Grandy's Rhea Katzman is the tour coordinator for "Disney on Ice presents Magic in the Stars," which visits Hartford's XL Center Jan. 4-7.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards