All stories by Christopher Arnott on BroadwayStars

Thursday, August 18, 2022

A Puerto Rican celebration, a balloon festival and Hike to the Mic among 10 best bets of things to do the week starting Aug. 21 by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for Aug. 21-27 include a festival at Heublein Tower, two emotional theater shows and concerts as varied as Lorde, Wilco and Ghostface Killah.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 12:25PM
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Bored, but don’t feel like going out? Here are some arts venues still streaming shows, music by Christopher Arnott

Many Connecticut theaters, museums and bookstores are still streaming performances, talks and other events. Some are live and others are pre-recorded and archived.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 10:07AM

From Feimster to Mummenschanz, UConn’s Jorgensen Center packs a full schedule for fall by Christopher Arnott

The fall season at UConn's Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts includes the Mummenschanz movement troupe, The Piano Guys pop/classical combo, comedian Fortune Feimster, Garth Fagan Danc…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Sunday, August 14, 2022

A new ‘Tempest’ and a new stage launch the Elm Shakespeare Company’s return to Edgerton Park by Christopher Arnott

Elm Shakespeare Company is doing its first full professional Shakespeare show since COVID. "The Tempest," directed by the company's artistic director Rebecca Goodheart, runs Aug. 18 through …

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Thursday, August 11, 2022

Theater review: ‘Secondo’ serves up familiar feeling of catching up with a friend. Just don’t expect free samples. by Christopher Arnott

"Secondo," a sequel to the hit "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti," is at TheaterWorks Hartford. Reuniting the director, playwright and star of the first show, it's now 10 years later and Gi…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 12:50PM

Oysters, dragon boats and an ‘Encanto’ singalong among 10 best bets for things to do week of Aug. 14 to 20 by Christopher Arnott

This week's Courant arts picks include eclectic rocker Adrian Belew, an "Encanto" singalong at the Xfinity Theatre.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Hartford’s high-tech, immersive ‘Beyond Van Gogh’ offers a more joyous perspective of the artist by Christopher Arnott

"Beyond Van Gogh," an immersive art installation exploring the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, will be at the Connecticut Convention Center through Oct. 2.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:11PM
Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Theater review: ‘Believe’ by The Other Voice delivers calm meditative beauty amid static and noise by Christopher Arnott

The Other Voice's wordless performance piece "Believe" is a meditation on life during and after COVID, staged in a small chapel.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 10:23AM

Steampunk in Connecticut: Festivals and monthly events celebrate fashion, fantasy and industry by Christopher Arnott

The Steampunk literary and arts movement is thriving in Connecticut, with festivals, authors, costumed parties and regular monthly events held by the Silk City Steampunk society in Mancheste…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Thursday, August 4, 2022

Theater review: An imperfect but fresh ‘Anne of Green Gables’ at Goodspeed offers a modern perspective on a classic by Christopher Arnott

A new musical based on the children's classic "Anne of Green Gables," with a modern sensibility, is at the Goodspeed Opera House through Sept. 4. The show has some obvious problems that stil…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 02:33PM

Slew of ‘70s rockers among best bets of things to do for week of Aug. 7 to 13 by Christopher Arnott

A slew of '70s rockers, from Rod Stewart and Santana to Elvis Costello, The Damned, Blondie, Cheap Trick and The Fleshtones can be found on Connecticut stages this week.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Reggae star Burning Spear, a beer garden and food trucks launch the Hartford Live! concert series this Thursday by Christopher Arnott

The new "Hartford Live!" concert series outside the Old State House will kick off Thursday night with Jamaican reggae star Burning Spear.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:11PM
Monday, August 1, 2022

‘Butterfield,’ a Connecticut made film about learning to cope in the world, to be shown at Bristol library by Christopher Arnott

The short locally made film "Butterfield" will screen Aug. 4 at Bristol Public Library. The film, about a teenager finding ways to cope with his problems, was made to test the possibility of…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:04PM
Friday, July 29, 2022

10 best things to do July 31 to Aug. 6: outdoor Caribbean and hemp festivals, plus soul and jazz legends by Christopher Arnott

The Courant's arts picks for things to do July 31 through Aug. 6 include festivals devoted to Beatles tribute bands, hemp and jerk chicken.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Thursday, July 28, 2022

The blues-band challenge is back for this year’s Black-Eyed & Bluesfest in Bushnell Park by Christopher Arnott

The Black-Eyed & Blues Fest, organized by Black-Eyed Sally's restaurant and featuring top national and local blues acts as well as food and drink, is held on July 30 and 31 this year in …

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 02:16PM

Funny business is back: Here’s who’s playing where on Connecticut’s revived comedy scene by Christopher Arnott

It's a vibrant and variety-filled summer of comedy in Connecticut, from big names playing the casinos to anything-goes open mics and drag brunches.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Monday, July 25, 2022

‘Hartford’s Got Talent!’ opens summer of auditions and workshops and will end with a Bushnell show in the spring of 2023 by Christopher Arnott

A major new local arts project, "Hartford's Got Talent," was unveiled Monday. There will be auditions and showcases for local youth throughout the summer and open auditions in the fall. Winn…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:13PM

‘True Ghost Stories of Connecticut’? 3 books to read this summer around Connecticut’s music, legendary women and ghosts by Christopher Arnott

Three new books explore Connecticut from invigorating new perspectives including famous women and where they lived, historic rock and roll venues of the 20th century and areas haunted by gho…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:30PM
Saturday, July 23, 2022

Phish, Terrificon, Luke Bryan and ballet under the stars among 10 best things to do this week in CT by Christopher Arnott

The Courant’s arts picks for July 24-30 include Connecticut Ballet in Elizabeth Park, Terrificon at Mohegan Sun and the Happy Together '60s nostalgia tour at the Oakdale.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, July 22, 2022

A decade later, TheaterWorks adds a ‘Secondo’ course to ‘I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti’ by Christopher Arnott

TheaterWorks Hartford is staging the world premiere of "Secondo" July 29 through Aug. 28. The one-woman show is a sequel to the theater's 2012 hit "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti," reunit…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00PM
Thursday, July 21, 2022

Connecticut Ballet dancing under the stars in two free outdoor shows in Hartford-area parks by Christopher Arnott

Connecticut Ballet's "Ballet Under the Stars" brings an outdoor dance show to Burr Mall on July 28 and Elizabeth Park on July 30.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Explore the relationship between jazz and Latin music at the Hartford Salsa Meets Jazz Festival by Christopher Arnott

The 11th annual free Salsa Meets Jazz Festival is held in Bushnell Park July 23 from 1 to 7 p.m. The festival, which was held in Elizabeth Park for much of its history, celebrates how Latin …

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 04:44PM
Thursday, July 14, 2022

This weekend’s ParaConn is the place to be for all things supernatural by Christopher Arnott

The second annual ParaConn paranormal convention will held be held at the Ansonia Armory July 16 and 17.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 05:05PM

Theater review: ‘Kim’s Convenience’ a smart, compelling choice by Westport Playhouse by Christopher Arnott

"Kim's Convenience," the original stage play on which the hit Canadian sitcom was based, is given a strong production at the Westport Country Playhouse through July 17.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 03:17PM

Hartford Stage’s Rachel Alderman named associate artistic director at Long Wharf Theatre by Christopher Arnott

Rachel Alderman, the Connecticut-based theater director/producer known for her work at Hartford Stage and A Broken Umbrella, has been named associate artistic director of the Long Wharf Thea…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 01:53PM

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art names Matthew Hargraves new director by Christopher Arnott

The Wadsworth Atheneum has selected Matthew Hargraves as its new director.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 11:56AM

Theater review: Playhouse on Park brings its saucy burlesque style to create an erotic, passionate ‘Pippin’ by Christopher Arnott

An earthy, energetic "Pippin" at West Hartford's Playhouse on Park through Aug. 21 injects a sense of erotic mystery to the 1972 Stephen Schwartz musical that calls to mind some of the theat…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Cirque du Soleil bringing ‘Corteo’ to Hartford, but cancels ‘Crystal’ in Bridgeport by Christopher Arnott

Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo" has been announced for December at the XL Center in Hartford, while this month's performances of the company's "Crystal" at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 10:03AM
Saturday, July 9, 2022

The Goodspeed premieres a modern ‘Anne of Green Gables’ musical by Christopher Arnott

A new musical based on "Anne of Green Gables," with modern twists, premieres at the Goodspeed Opera House July 17 through Sept. 4.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:00AM
Friday, July 8, 2022

Outdoor jazz, Shakespeare and a ghost convention are among 10 best bets this week in Connecticut by Christopher Arnott

Our picks for things to do in Connecticut the week of July 10 to 16 are rife with legends and classics: a Shakespeare Festival at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, outdoor jaz…

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 06:25PM

Theater review: ‘Awesome and Awesomer’ an appealing, lighthearted song revue at Legacy Theatre by Christopher Arnott

"Awesome and Awesomer," a revue of songs by Phoebe Kreutz featuring a four-woman cast and a pianist, is at the Legacy Theater in Branford through July 16.

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 04:33PM

All that Chat