Conn. theaters produce welcome collaboration
Let’s not wait for the ending to applaud the directors of Connecticut’s largest theaters. They are showing creativity and initiative by teaming up to promote the return of live performances. For now, that means pooling marketing and public relations resources. We look forward to seeing what they can accomplish to propel these 100-plus-year-old institutions and showcase diverse performers through the rest of this century.
The new Connecticut Performing Arts Centers Coalition is a collaboration between the New Haven’s Shubert Theatre, Stamford’s Palace, Hartford’s Bushnell, the Warner in Torrington, New London’s Garde Arts Center and Waterbury’s Palace.
Like many good notions, the move was born of necessity. Connecticut’s ghost lights have glowed in isolation for long enough. As marquees stayed blank and theater seats remained unoccupied, the fabled ghost lights were the sole illumination in theaters throughout COVID-19.
This pandemic has had enough second and third acts. These theaters can’t wait for the curtain to close for good on the coronavirus. By the end of 2020, ticket sales reportedly dropped off by more than 96 percent. Grants from the COVID Relief Fund for the Arts served as a reprieve, but it has taken another nine months to welcome back theatergoers.
A new website — CTArtsCoalition.org — promotes upcoming performances as the theaters re-open. It also reinforces protocols for the near future, which usually require proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result, along with masks.
The immediate lineups have some anticipated limitations. There is reason to proceed with caution. Broadway reopened tentatively over the summer with essentially a one-man show (“Springsteen on Broadway”) and experienced a COVID setback this week as the Wednesday performance of “Aladdin” was canceled a day after the Disney musical reopened.
So the fall and winter schedules in these six theaters lean heavily on shows that are relatively easy to host. That means a slate of single-performer productions, such as writer David Sedaris at the Bushnell and Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx Tale” at the Garde.
The schedules are also top-heavy in tributes to classic rock bands such as Fleetwood Mac, the Bee Gees, Foreigner and the Grateful Dead (and that’s just in
Stamford). Some original stars are promised as well, including Jadakiss, Chicago, Yo-Yo-Ma and Chilean songwriter Myriam Hernandez.
There are also musicals, including “Anastasia,” (at the Shubert and in Waterbury) and “Rent” (the Bushnell).
In announcing the coalition, Bushnell CEO David Fay wisely stressed the importance of theaters as the hub of thriving urban centers.
These enchanting theaters are stars in their own right. The coalition would do well to put a spotlight on their individual histories. The Shubert, for example, was once famed for staging Broadway tryouts for legendary shows such as “South Pacific” and “My Fair Lady.” And Will Rogers, the Marx Brothers and other iconic performers once worked Connecticut boards.
There is no better way to emotionally heal from social isolation than to sing, cry and laugh together in a darkened theater.
The intermission is over. Welcome back to your seats.
The new Connecticut Performing Arts Centers Coalition is a collaboration between the New Haven’s Shubert Theatre, Stamford’s Palace, Hartford’s Bushnell, the Warner in Torrington, New London’s Garde Arts Center and Waterbury’s Palace.