Detroit 67

Feb. 14 – mar. 10

By Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Jade King Carroll

Short Takes

A Look at Our Lobby – Detroit ’67/Hartford ’67

Hartford Stage has curated an exhibit juxtaposing images from the urban upheavals in 1967 Detroit and Hartford. The display was created with archival support from the Hartford History Center at Hartford Public Library and will tour to Hartford Public Library branches following the run of Detroit ’67.

Connecticut Embraces Playwright Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit Project Trilogy

2018 MacArthur “Genius” Grant winner Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit Project is a trilogy of plays about Detroit’s history and its people: Paradise Blue, set in 1949; Detroit ’67, set in 1967; and Skeleton Crew, set in 2008. Morisseau states, “People have an automatic reaction that [Detroit] is a failed city. I wanted…to show that this is a place of epic stories, of great dreams, of passion and love.” This season, multiple Connecticut theatres have been programming Morisseau’s work, bringing the entire trilogy to local audiences. Long Wharf Theatre produced Paradise Blue in November 2018. After the run of Detroit ’67 at Hartford Stage, Westport Country Playhouse will produce Skeleton Crew in June 2019.

Hartford ’19 – Free Panel Discussion

How much has the Hartford of 2019 changed from 1967? What issues remain familiar and pressing, demanding attention and action? As the nation stands at a crossroads, Hartford Stage invites the community to the Hartford ’19 panel discussion at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 25, where community leaders will examine social justice, equity, and civic engagement in Hartford today. The panel is moderated by Dr. Stacey Close, Associate Vice President of Equity and Diversity at Eastern Connecticut State University. This event is supported by Connecticut Humanities. To RSVP for this free event, visit: https://bit.ly/2tdM76w

Make Believe to Premiere at New York’s Second Stage Theater

Make Believe, which made its world premiere at Hartford Stage in September, will be produced this August at Second Stage Theater in New York. Bess Wohl’s funny and poignant play about four young siblings dealing with the mysterious disappearance of their parents will be directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen). Dates, casting and full creative team will be announced at a later date.

Former Education Apprentice Leda Hoffmann Named New Artistic Director of Strawdog Theatre Company

Leda Hoffmann, a former Hartford Stage Education Apprentice, has been named the new Artistic Director of Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre Company. Hoffmann apprenticed for the Hartford Stage Education Department in 2009-2010 and served as assistant director for Breakdancing Shakespeare: Macbeth. Hoffmann was most recently a member of Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s artistic team, working in the Education and Literary departments before founding the theatre’s Community Engagement Department. As the Community Engagement Director, Hoffmann created the Community Conversation program, started the theatre’s Professional Training Institute, and developed long-term community relationships through the Pillar Partner Program.

Hartford Stage Artistic Apprentice Named a 2019 Rhodes Scholar

Yan Chen, an Artistic Apprentice at Hartford Stage, has been named one of four Chinese Rhodes Scholars for 2019. Born and raised in China, Chen received her theatre education in China, the US, the UK, Russia, and Poland. She arrived in the US in 2016 to pursue graduate studies at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University, where she received a Master’s degree in Dramaturgy and Theater Studies. Previously, she had received her BA in English in 2016 from Nanjing University, China. Chen plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation at the University of Oxford in October.

Hartford Stage Commission The Inheritance Named Best New Play by London’s Critics’ Circle

The Inheritance, Matthew Lopez’s epic, two-part play inspired by EM Forster’s novel Howard’s End, was named Best New Play at The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards in London. The play, which debuted at the Young Vic and transferred to the West End, took home three top honors at the ceremony, including Best Director for Stephen Daldry and Best Actor for Kyle Soller. The Critics’ Circle is the oldest organization of its kind in the world and has over 500 members throughout the UK. The Inheritance, which was Lopez’ Aetna New Voices Fellowship commission, was dramaturged by Hartford Stage Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson.

Donor Event: A Look at Lighting

A group of 30 donors recently enjoyed a behind-the-scenes, interactive look at Hartford Stage’s lighting and how it works. Led by Master Electrician Aaron Hochheiser, participants were invited to focus a light, program the light board, walk on the catwalk, and discover how the theatre industry’s evolving technological changes impact the way Hartford Stage effectively uses the latest equipment and programs.

2019/20 Season Subscription Update

Darko Tresnjak and the Hartford Stage artistic team have been consulting with our next Artistic Director, Melia Bensussen, on next season’s exciting slate of six plays for the 2019/2020 season. Watch your mailbox for your renewal notice and opportunity to secure your seat to the premiere place for theatre in our community!

Save the Date for “The Beach Ball!”

Hartford Stage will hold its annual fundraising gala on Saturday, April 6. We’ll be traveling back in time to the summer of 1963 for The Beach Ball, the swankiest soiree of the season, inspired by our upcoming world premiere musical The Flamingo Kid. Last year’s event sold out! Don’t miss your chance, and register early! To purchase tickets or become a corporate sponsor, visit hartfordstage.com/gala today.

Coming Next – Jeeves & Wooster in “Perfect Nonsense”

Everything goes awry when Bertie Wooster, a wealthy British gentleman with a penchant for telling stories, decides to stage a one-man show on London’s West End. Things go from bad to worse when Wooster’s loyal valet, Jeeves, valiantly steps in to help save the day in this Olivier Award-winning Robert and David Goodale adaptation inspired by the hilarious characters created by author P.G. Wodehouse. Jeeves & Wooster in “Perfect Nonsense” performs March 21 through April 20. https://www.hartfordstage.org/jeeves-and-wooster/.