Short Takes

A Look at Our Lobby – Shakespeare Genderbent

In Shakespeare’s own times, his plays were performed by men, and only men. The centuries afterward have seen gender conventions in the theatre change, from women being able to play women, to women being able to play men, to all-female productions and gender blind casting practices. These shifting practices have changed our perceptions about who can perform Shakespeare and how, enabling us to see Shakespeare with ever-fresh eyes.

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Inaugural Hartford Stage Open a success

Despite the cool weather, 80 avid golfers descended upon Keney Park for the inaugural Hartford Stage Open on September 24. Chaired by Board President David Jimenez and longtime Board Member Bob Penney, the golf tournament grossed nearly $34,000 in support of the theatre’s artistic and educational programs. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin welcomed participants to the newly renovated public golf course prior to the shotgun start, remarking that both Hartford Stage and Keney Park enrich the Hartford community. Players represented companies such as Stanley Black & Decker, Eversource Energy, and Hoffman Auto Group. The winning foursome from Nathan Accounting Group, headed by Alan Nathan, received the “Shakespeare’s Cup” trophy that was handcrafted in our scene shop by Assistant Technical Director Mike Beschta.

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Kaneza Schaal’s Jack & premieres at BAM

Jack &, a Hartford Stage commission by 2017 Aetna New Voices Fellow Kaneza Schaal, makes its New York premiere as part of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 2018 Next Wave Festival Oct. 17-20. The multimedia production, directed by Schaal and co-created with inmate-turned-artist Cornell Alston, considers reentry into society after prison and probes how incarceration takes away one’s ability to dream. Jack & will also travel around the country following its performance at BAM. For more information, visit https://www.bam.org/theater/2018/jackand.

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Matthew Lopez’sThe Inheritance debuts on the West End

The Inheritance, 2013 Aetna New Voices Fellow Matthew Lopez’s Hartford Stage commission, opened to rave reviews at the Young Vic last spring. The two-part play, dramaturged by Hartford Stage Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson, transferred to the West End in September and will run through January 19, 2019. For more information, visit https://www.inheritanceplay.com/.

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Amara McNeil receives American Theatre Wing scholarship

Amara McNeil, a Hartford Stage Teen Council leader and Education intern, is the recipient of an American Theatre Wing Andrew Lloyd Webber (ALW) Initiative scholarship. Last summer, McNeil participated in the NYU Tisch High School Program: Production and Design Workshop where she learned directly from professional production designers. McNeil attended the American Theatre Wing Gala in September, spoke at their recent board meeting and interacted with many top theatre professionals.

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“Tiny Tim Food Drive” to support Hands On Hartford

Help Hartford Stage feed members of our local community this holiday season! Hartford Stage will host its annual Tiny Tim’s Holiday Food Drive on behalf of Hands On Hartford during the run of A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas. Patrons can drop off unexpired, non-perishable goods at Guest Services on performance days or at the box office during regular business hours. Suggested donation items include boxed cereal and oatmeal, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, and pasta and sauce.

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Coming Next: A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas

The magic of Charles Dickens’ heartwarming classic will return for its 21^stseason, with Michael Preston returning as Ebenezer Scrooge! Come see Connecticut’s beloved family holiday tradition, and spend time with Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they bring A Christmas Carol to life on stage. Performing Thursday, November 23 through Saturday, December 29. Our annual Sensory Friendly performance will be on Saturday, December 1.