Fundraiser featuring a Broadway star, plus a legendary Motown mix
The theme of this week’s arts picks is change and endurance.
Ana Popovic is back on the road after battling breast cancer, a struggle that inspired songs on her new album. Audra McDonald, whose breathtaking range on Broadway brought her a record-breaking six Tony Awards, is performing at a fundraiser for a major regional theater still in the throes of a big transition and The Lone Bellow, after using major producers for some of its albums, produced its new one itself.
Robin Fierce continues to command local drag stages after gaining national recognition on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” “Madagascar” is still a thing nearly 20 years after its first escape, and two acts that have lasted from the doo-wop harmony era through the heyday of Motown to the here and now, The Temptations and Four Tops, team up for a triumphant show in Bridgeport.
All this history and legacy can be seen live onstage this week. Here are some of the top things to do and see in Connecticut arts.
Audra McDonald: A Concert for Long Wharf Theatre Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent St., New Haven
For its annual fundraising gala, the Long Wharf Theater has arranged a performance by one of the biggest Broadway stars of all time, Audra McDonald, who has won a record six Tonys and whose range extends from “Carousel” to “Ragtime” to works by Kurt Weill and Michael John LaChiusa. In December, she appeared on Broadway in the Adrienne Kennedy drama “Ohio State Murders.” Recent TV roles include “The Good Fight,” “The Gilded Age” and “The Bite.” The full Long Wharf gala is on May 15 from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Lyman Center on the Southern Connecticut State University campus in New Haven. McDonald’s performance is at 7 p.m. The Long Wharf left its home of 57 years on Sargent Drive last year and is transitioning to a new itinerant existence utilizing different local venues. Tickets for the entire gala are $100-$500, or $45 for the performance only. longwharf.org.
The Lone Bellow
Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
The Lone Bellow’s earliest songs grew out of a journaling project, and the band still keeps things personal. They’ve stayed a tightknit harmonizing trio and self-produced their latest album, “Love Songs for Losers.” $35-$50. May 17 at 8 p.m. infinityhall.com.
Ana Popovic
Wall Street Theater, 71 Wall St., Norwalk
The venerated female blues guitarist/singer Ana Popovic released her new album “Power” this month. It’s an empowering collection of songs written while Popovic was enduring chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Now in remission, she is on tour, performing such positive tunes as “Queen of the Pack” and “Turn My Luck.” May 18 at 8 p.m. at the Wall Street Theater in Norwalk. $33-$60. wallstreettheater.com.
‘On Golden Pond’
Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Essex
Though the family drama was inspired by playwright Ernest Thompson’s summers in Maine, and the famous Henry Fonda/ Katharine Hepburn movie version was filmed in New Hampshire, “On Golden Pond” seems well suited to Connecticut. Ivoryton Playhouse, along the Connecticut River, is staging the show May 18-June 11. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $25-$55. ivorytonplayhouse.org.
‘The Secret Garden’
ACT of CT, 36 Old Quarry Road, Ridgefield
“The Secret Garden” is a sweet and sometimes dark musical based on the sweet, sometimes dark classic children’s book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It has a book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and
music by Lucy Simon. Ridgefield’s ACT of CT, which specializes in late 20th-century American musicals, is reviving this 1991 gem about an 11-year-old orphan, her antisocial uncle and the magical garden they both find solace in. Performances are Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., plus an added Sunday evening show on May 28 at 7 p.m. $63-$76. actofct.org.
‘Madagascar the Musical’
Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven
The animated movie about the escaped zoo animals who find themselves in the wilder zoo of a big city was made 18 years ago. There were sequels, video games, a TV series, toys and more. There’s also been a touring stage
musical version for kids, and it is at the Shubert in New Haven for two shows in a single day, May 20 at 2 and 6 p.m. $45.20 to $85.70. shubert.com.
Tracy Morgan
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
His series “The Last O.G.” ended in 2021, and he has continued to do movies and guest appearances. No matter where his career is at, “SNL” and “30 Rock” veteran Tracy Morgan finds time to do regular standup shows in Connecticut. He’s at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom on May 19 at 8 p.m. $69. foxwoods.com.
Forever Fierce
Chez Est, 458 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford
If you’re still livid that Robin
Fierce didn’t get enough screen time on the 15th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before being unfairly dispatched at the end of the sixth episode, catch her at her hometown venue Chez Est for one of her “Forever Fierce” drag revues. This one, on May 19 with showtimes at 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., finds Robin hosting performances by Ambrosia Black, Kenya Mone Heart, Harmony Valkyrie and of course Fierce herself. chezest.com.
Tony Davis Trio
Querencia TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St., Hartford
Latin jazz guitarist and songwriter Tony Davis and his trio play TheaterWorks Hartford’s intimate Living Room Series on May 20 at both 7 and 9 p.m. The New York-based Davis has toured internationally and played at major jazz festivals. He released a solo album in 2019 and a duo album with vocalist Jamille last year. $10. twhartford.org.
The Temptations and Four Tops
Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport
You can see The Temptations live on May 20 at 7 p.m. at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport alongside the Four Tops, and 10 days after that you can see the Broadway musical about them at The Bushnell. With over 40 chart hits that range from love ballads to protest songs, The Temptations are eternally fascinating. And so are the Four Tops, whose founding members started singing together 70 years ago. Amazingly, both groups still have an original member still involved. $25-$99.50. hartfordhealthcareamp.com.