No play or musical arrived fully formed. They all resulted from rewrites, readings, workshops, collaborations, rehearsals, revisions and reinterpretations. This week on Connecticut stages, all those necessary and exhilarating developmental stages of American theater are well represented.
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford has nurtured numerous hit plays and musicals in its more than half a century of existence. One of them, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” used a critical development period at the O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford a year and a half before its off-Broadway premiere to fine-tune the teamwork of lyricist/composer/star Miranda and book writer Quiara Alegría Hudes.
The O’Neill is marking the 20th anniversary of its part in the success of the musical — which paved the way for Miranda’s success with “Hamilton” not to mention the well-regarded film version of “In the Heights” — by staging a concert version at the Garde Arts Center in nearby New London. The star-studded event is directed by KO, the Tony-winning performer and theater multi-hyphenate, with musical direction by Abel Garraga. Most of the cast for the concert version have major Broadway credits and a couple even with “In the Heights” on Broadway. The gala concert is a celebration of how the show came together and made history.
Other Broadway stars are gathering at TheaterWorks Hartford for a different gala concert, this time remembering the late Stephen Sondheim. Several of the participants were in important revivals of some of his classic works, rethinking and updating the shows so they resonated with modern audiences.
Many shows transition from regional theaters to off-Broadway to Broadway, but the road back from New York to other areas can be just as interesting. “Come From Away,” the Canadian music theater triumph that had a public reading at Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals prior to its Broadway success, toured the U.S. multiple times, playing The Bushnell (several times) as well as the Shubert Theatre and Waterbury Palace. Now that the show is finally off the road seven years after its first U.S. tour began and a decade after it first premiered in regional theaters, small theaters can finally take a crack at “Come From Away.” The Stamford-based, large-scale community theater operation Curtain Call Inc. is doing what it says is the first locally produced post-Broadway production in Connecticut and is one of just a handful of community theater companies in the country who have been granted the rights to do the show.
That’s not all. You’ll see other readings on this week’s list of Courant arts picks, of both established and new works.
Ted Leo
Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden
The immortal Ted Leo, who emerged from the Washington D.C. hardcore scene of the 1990s to become a great all-around rock singer/songwriter and performer returns to Space Ballroom for a matinee show on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Nova One is the opening act. $26.69. spaceballroom.com.
Amy Irving and the Goolis Orchestra
Levitt Pavilion, 45 Jesup Road, Westport
The actress Amy Irving also has a band, a new album coming out with some fresh Willie Nelson songs on it and a free show on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion in Westport. Reservations are required. levittpavilion.com.
Hypefest Hip Hop Festival
The Webster, Webster St., Hartford
The end of summer is here, and the annual Hypefest Hip Hop Festival at The Webster, sponsored by Mother Esther’s Foundation, helps ease the transition. Performers include Scar Lip, Charlie Clips, Ruff Ryder Speedy, Exit Fame, Yung TurnUp, King Ace, Samar Foe, Mula Monopoly, Mazi Coke Girl, El Shaddai and more. Sept. 7 from 4 to 10 p.m. $39.15, $69.15 VIP, $259.15 for eight-person booth, $759.15 for 15-person suite. thewebsterct.com.
Vishal and Shekhar
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
The musical duo of Indian pop vocalists Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani are known for having hit songs in Bollywood movies and for their work with acts like Diplo and Imogen Heap. They perform on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $44.20-$336.20. foxwoods.com.
Dragonforce
Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven
The self-described “extreme power metal” band Dragonforce has been around for a quarter century (originally as Dragonheart and with two guitarists in the band for the whole time) and seems no less extreme. Dragonforce’s latest album is “Warp Speed Warriors.” Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. $35.25, $30.25 students, $48 early admission. toadsplace.com.
Allen Stone
Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven
Seattle soul/R&B singer Allen Stone, who evokes greats like Donnie Hathaway and Stevie Wonder in his vocal style but writes his own material, is at Toad’s Place on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., with Ellery Harper opening. $53, $48 students, $64 early admission; VIP packages available. toadsplace.com.
‘The One Good Thing or Are Ya Patrick Swayze’
Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport
The Script in Hand play reading series at Westport Country Playhouse presents Joe Bravaco’s drama “The One Good Thing or Are Ya Patrick Swayze,” about Irish brothers sharing a personal revelation. The reading is directed by Ciarán O`Reilly and stars David McElwee, Kieran Mulcare and Faith Sandberg. Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. $30. westportplayhouse.org.
‘In the Heights’ in Concert
Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London
It’s been 20 years since Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Broadway hit “In the Heights” had an important developmental workshop at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Music Theater Conference in Waterford. Miranda had also worked on the show in Connecticut while he was an undergraduate at Wesleyan University in Middletown. To mark the anniversary of its role in Miranda’s breakthrough hit, the O’Neill Center is presenting a concert version of “In the Heights” at the Garde in New London. The cast is led by Robin de Jesús, the Norwalk native who played Sonny in the original Broadway cast and is starring as Usnavi in this version, and Katerina McCrimmon, who starred in the national tour of “Funny Girl” at The Bushnell and was also in “Ah, Wilderness” at Hartford Stage, as Nina. Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. $59-$519. gardearts.org.
The sister trio Haim, (from left) Este Haim, Alana Haim and Danielle Haim, are playing at the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven on Sept. 9. (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Prime Video/TNS)
Haim
Westville Music Bowl, 45 Yale Ave., New Haven
The popular, critically acclaimed sibling indie pop trio of Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim (plus a drummer) is back on tour, having released its fourth album (and first in five years) “I Quit.” The opening act is English singer/songwriter flowerovlove. Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. $25-$144.71. westvillemusicbowl.com.
Papa Roach and Rise Against
Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport
Two tough ‘90s rock bands, Papa Roach and Rise Against, join up for the cleverly named “Rise of the Roach” tour, coming to Bridgeport’s Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. $47-$431.35. hartfordhealthcareamp.com.
Eilen Jewell
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
Midwestern folk singer/songwriter Eilen Jewell, who lived in L.A. and Boston early in her career and recorded her second album, “Letters from Sinners & Strangers,” in Connecticut in 2007, is at The Kate on Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. $40. thekate.org.
‘Danny Go! Live’
Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford
The live version of the online video series “Danny Go!,” which aims to getting kids aged 3 to 7 to learn and run around, is at the Oakdale for a 5 p.m. early show on Sept. 11. $53-$246.05. livenation.com.
Jesse Royal
Old State House, 800 Main St., Hartford
This year’s third Hartford Live! outdoor concert at the Old State House features Jamaican vocalist Jesse Royal, a champion of old-school Reggae styles. Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. Free. infinityhall.com.
Texas Hippie Coalition
The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
The self-styled Southern metal band Texas Hippie Coalition (THC) plays Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Webster Underground with The Grey Curtain and Riftcaller. The band’s ninth album in 16 years, “Gunsmoke,” was released last year. $31.15. thewebsterct.com.
Dwight Yoakam
Westville Music Bowl, 45 Yale Ave., New Haven
Country hillbilly pop rock legend Dwight Yoakam, champion of the “Bakersfield Sound,” released his 21st album “Brighter Days” last year and is on tour with two other country innovators: The Mavericks and young Appalachian multi-instrumentalist Phillip Bowen. Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. $65.31-$157.08. westvillemusicbowl.com.
Vincent Ingala
Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
Contemporary Jazz saxophonist Vincent Ingala, who has had recent smooth jazz hits with “Ridin’ the Wave” and “Shadow Dancer,’ is at Infinity Music Hall Hartford on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. $47.43. infinityhall.com.
Ron Sexsmith
Fairfield Theatre Company StageOne, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield
The supremely gifted Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith has just released his 17th album, “Hangover Terrace.” He’s had loyal followers in Connecticut for decades. Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. $42-$45. fairfieldtheatre.org.
Peelander-Z
Fairfield Theatre Company Warehouse, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield
Peelander-Z are ostensibly aliens from the Z region of Planet Peelander. Their wild, physical, comically chaotic punk rock live shows befit their Japanese anime style. The band beams down for a Sept. 11 show at 8 p.m. in the Fairfield Theatre Company Warehouse. Connecticut’s own space-alien rockers Kimono Draggin’ are the opening act. $30-$33, $25-$28 in advance. fairfieldtheatre.org.
Sleepy Hallow and Sheff G
The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
Longtime friends and collaborators Sleepy Hallow and Sheff G’s “Winner’s Circle in Your City” tour ended last month before Sheff G was expected to start his prison term for gang conspiracy. The sentencing was postponed until late September so there’s time for a couple more live shows, including at The Webster on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. $59.15, $69.15 early entrance, $209.15 VIP package, $609.15 VIP booth, $1,209.15 VIP suite. thewebsterct.com.
LCD Soundsystem
College Street Music Hall, 237College St., New Haven
The punky electronica dance band LCD Soundsystem, which ruled the dance club world in the 2000s before breaking up in 2011, reunited a decade ago and continues to tour and record. Some of the more memorable LCD Soundsystem titles, most of which they’ve been playing regularly on this tour, include “Get Innocuous!,” “New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down,” “American Scum” and “Daft Punk is Playing at My House.” The ensemble has two shows at College Street Music Hall on Sept. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. $86-$339. collegestreetmusichall.com.
‘Come From Away’
Curtain Call, 349 Newfield Ave., Stamford
The heartwarming, community-building musical about airplane passengers abruptly stranded in Canada on 9/11 was on Broadway and on tour for years and is finally able to be done by community theaters like Stamford’s Curtain Call. The show runs Sept. 11 through Oct. 4. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $35. curtaincallinc.com.
‘What the Constitution Means to Me’
Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester
Little Theatre of Manchester’s “Evenings at Seven” play reading series offers a reading of Heidi Schreck’s ever-timely look at how the U.S. government works and feels. Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. Free; $5 suggested donation. cheneyhall.org.
Hosemen
Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford
Four Connecticut musical acts are playing the Stamford Palace on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.: DJ Sir Tone & Twang, Hollowpoint, River Witches and headliners Hosemen, who are about to release their second album. $17.05. palacestamford.org.
I Love the ‘90s
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
The “I Love the ‘90s” defines an affection for that decade as an admiration for the work of Vanilla Ice (“Ice Ice Baby”), Montell Jordan (“This is How We Do It”), Rob Base (“It Takes Two”) and Young MC (“Bust a Move”). Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $51.85-$181.85. foxwoods.com.
Kristina Wong
Quick Center, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield
Comedian and performance artist Kristina Wong brings her latest solo show, in which she tackles the tricky subject of food distribution in the U.S., to Fairfield University’s Quick Center on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. $35. quickcenter.fairfield.edu.
Sheena Easton
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
Sheena Easton has had a fascinating career — a string of hits in the ‘80s including “Morning Train” and the James Bond Theme “For Your Eyes Only,” duets with Prince, Broadway stardom in “Man of La Mancha,” cartoon voices in the “All Dogs Go to Heaven” series not to mention “Phineas and Ferb” and “Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster” plus a lot of TV and movie acting. The Scottish star hasn’t released an album in 25 years but hasn’t forsaken her music. Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. $83. thekate.org.
The Darts and Dion Lunadon
Cafe Nine, 250 State St., New Haven
A righteous double bill of the all-female garage band The Darts and New Zealand rocker Dion Lunadon come to the intimate Cafe Nine in New Haven on Sept. 12 at 9 p.m. $20, $16 in advance. cafenine.com.
Sebastian Maniscalco speaks onstage during Sebastian Maniscalco With Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story panel during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at BMCC Theater on June 13, 2025 in New York City. The comedian brings his stand-up routine to Mohegan Sun Arena on Sept. 12 and 13. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
‘Speak Easy II’
Dionysus Theatre Company, Enfield Square Mall, 90 Elm St., Enfield
“Speak Easy II” is a benefit event for Dionysus Theatre Company with a Prohibition-era furtive-party spin replete with a secret password you need to get in. The featured performance is the comic play “You Make My Frame Shake” by Luigi Jannuzzi, in which museum art comes alive. Sept. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. dionysustheatrecompany.org.
Tedeschi Trucks Band with Steve Winwood
Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport
The versatile and revered American rock band Tedeschi Trucks Band has played Connecticut many times (and will even be back in Connecticut later this month), and the shows have taken many forms. This one is a two-night stand on Sept. 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. with special guest Steve Winwood of “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “Higher Love” fame. As with any consecutive Tedeschi Truck gigs in the same city, don’t expect the setlist to be the same both nights. $84.25-$106.25. hartfordhealthcareamp.com.
Sebastian Maniscalco
Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville
The outspoken yet relatable comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, whose popularity has reached new heights in recent years, plays two shows at Mohegan Sun Arena on his “It Ain’t Right” tour. Sept. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. $83.15-$358.70. mohegansun.com.
Mix & Mingle Comedy Tour
Funny Bone Comedy Club, 194 Buckland Hills Road Suite 1054, Manchester
Sheryl Underwood (from TV’s “The Talk”), Kyle Erby and Mike Washington bring the fun for the Mix & Mingle Comedy Tour, spending Sept. 12 and 13 at the Funny Bone in Manchester. Shows are Friday at 7 and 9:45 p.m. and Saturday at 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. $37-$57. hartford.funnybone.com.
Bridgeport Film Festival
Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport
Three days of features and shorts, most of them locally made, will be screened at Bridgeport’s Klein Memorial Auditorium on Sept. 12-14, with the filmmakers appearing for Q&As, workshops and other events. Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 10:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. (plus a VIP afterparty), Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with another VIP afterparty) and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. $17.50 per day, $32.50 for the weekend or $106.50 for a VIP package. theklein.org.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Downtown Cabaret, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport
The still astounding rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” is a great creative workout for any theater company and always fun for rock musicians to play. The show, about the final days on Earth of Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot, gave us the hits “Everything’s Alright” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” as well as the triumphant title tune. Bridgeport’s Downtown Cabaret does its own rendition Sept. 12 through Oct. 5, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. $47-$53. dtcab.com.
The Nutmeg Ukulele Festival
Eno Memorial Hall 75 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury
The fourth annual Nutmeg Ukulele Festival is a day-long celebration of the humble four-string musical instrument known as the uke. Players gather for performances, workshops and more. The festival is hosted by Kinetic Ukes and features special guest ukulele artists Anne Ku, Armand Aromin, “Jumpin’ Jim” Beloff and Jim Lenn. Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $18.55 includes lunch. eventbrite.com.
Bark Twain Bash
Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford
The 10th annual Bark Twain Bash, a celebration of pets and a benefit for the animal rescue organization Kenway’s Cause, is at the Mark Twain House & Museum on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. There are awards, cocktails, food and local celebrities. The hosts are local playwright Jacques Lamarre and Renee DiNino of WFSB’s “Hello Connecticut.” $40. marktwainhouse.org.
My Friends: A Sondheim Concert
TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St., Hartford
TheaterWorks Hartford’s producing artistic director Rob Ruggiero rallied some New York theater friends to perform at a benefit concert of Stephen Sondheim songs on Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. There are preshow cocktails and the $500 ticket holders get a postshow dinner. Some of the artists have appeared in Sondheim revivals on Broadway, including Nikki Renée Daniels (“Company”), Erin Davie and Aaron Lazar (“A Little Night Music”) and Adam Heller (“Merrily We Roll Along”). Jenn Gambatese and Omar Lopez-Cetero are also on board. $100-$500. twhartford.org.
The Bacon Brothers play Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret on Sept. 13. (Courtesy of Mohegan Sun)
Bacon Brothers
Mohegan Sun Cabaret. 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville
Movie star Kevin Bacon and composer Michael Bacon have been the Bacon brothers all their lives and have performed as the musical duo The Bacon Brothers since the mid-1990s. They have an intimate show at Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. It’s virtually sold out but some “verfied resale” tickets are available. mohegansun.com.
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players
Gordon Hall, 225 Music Mountain Road, Falls Village
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, active since 1974, perform a condensed one-act version of the hysterical operetta “H.M.S. Pinafore” plus a few “Gilbert & Sullivan audience favorites” on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Music Mountain Festival in Falls Village. $35-$50. musicmountain.org.
‘Fach It’
Yale University Schwarzman Center, 168 Grove St., New Haven
The heightened cultural experiences of opera and drag merge in this performance created by Jasmine Rice LaBeija and featuring Creatine Price plus current Yale School of Music student vocalists Shyheim Hinnant and Rosario Hernandez Armas plus piano accompanist Travis Bloom. Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Free; registration required. schwarzman.yale.edu.
Peach Pit
College Street Music Hall, 237College St., New Haven
Canadian indie band Peach Pit’s fourth album “Magpie,” with the singles “Every Little Thing,” “Did You Love Somebody” and the hit title song, came out last year. Peach Pit plays on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. on the band’s “Fall Quest” tour with singer/songwriter Miya Folick. $25-$173.41. collegestreetmusichall.com.
The Saplings, Sandy Clams and The Vultures
Scottish Dave’s Pub, 24 East Main St., Clinton
Creative punks need to check out this exceptional and energetic three-band bill at Scottish Dave’s Pub on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. features the Connecticut debut of the Massachusetts female rock (or as they label themselves, “bitchpop”) band Sapling, plus the dark swirling garage punk band Sandy Clams from Hartford/Meriden and one of the most inventive instrumental rock acts ever to come out of New Haven, The Vultures. facebook.com/scottishdavespub.
‘Stop Making Sense’
District Music Hall, 71 Wall St., Norwalk
Not to be confused with the live Talking Heads tribute act Start Making Sense, this is a screening of the landmark Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense” hosted by actual Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison. It’s a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the film, which was directed by Jonathan Demme. Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. $25-$43.02. districtmusichall.com.
George Thorogood
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
Blues rock titan George Thorogood, who had a mainstream hit with “Bad to the Bone” in 1982, has been touring with his band The Destroyers for 50 years. His latest tour is “The Baddest Show on Earth.” Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $67.75-$230.25. foxwoods.com.
