Short Takes

A Look at Our Lobby

What one book impacted your life in an unforgettable way? Visit our upper lobby exhibit to find out what titles inspired Feeding the Dragon playwright and performer Sharon Washington, Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, and Hartford community members.

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Hartford Stage and the Hartford Public Library Announce Community Partnership

Leaders from Hartford Stage and the Hartford Public Library publicly announced a community partnership aimed at deepening engagement and increasing access to live theatre for residents of Hartford’s diverse neighborhoods. Programs include a library kiosk branch at Hartford Stage, book displays related to our productions at each library branch location, a library pass program allowing Hartford Public Library card holders to check out and reserve complimentary theatre tickets, and a Neighborhood Ambassador Program enabling residents nominated by their library branches to represent their communities at Hartford Stage to discuss how themes of upcoming productions intersect with current civic or social issues.

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HPL @ Hartford Stage

Hartford Public Library and Hartford Stage invite you to dig deeper into the world of the plays onstage. Check out a book today from the HPL @ Hartford Stage library kiosk! Anyone in Connecticut can borrow titles that speak directly to the themes of the art onstage. Learn more at Guest Services.

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The Evolution of the Public Library: Growing and Thriving as Vital Community Hubs

Join us on Monday, January 22, at 7:30 pm for a free discussion on the evolution of the public library. Sharon Washington will join moderator Kendall Wiggin, Connecticut State Librarian, Hartford Public Library Chief Executive Officer Bridget Quinn-Carey, and Teen Services Librarian Gabrielle Barnes as they explore how the public library system, especially in Hartford, continues to evolve, despite budget cuts and limited resources, providing the city with innovative public spaces to call home. Register online.

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Tiny Tim’s Annual Holiday Food Drive

We’re grateful for all the generous patrons and staff that supported our annual holiday food drive for Hands On Hartford. Pasta, peanut butter and jelly, boxed cereal, and canned fruits and vegetables were just a few of the many food items donated during the run of A Christmas Carol. Hands On Hartford received 1,217 pounds in nonperishable food and monetary donations to help Hartford residents in need during the holiday season.

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Sensory Friendly and Community Benefit Performances of A Christmas Carol

A total of 319 children, adults and their families attended our fourth annual Sensory Friendly performance on December 2, making it our largest audience yet! Erin Keller, our Props Master, shared Christmas Carol “snow” with guests. Brit Watts and Blair Gulledge from our Costume Department shared a variety of Christmas Carol costume accessories. The most popular accessories were sparkly ones, like ghost chains and a Victorian fan, as well as hats that guests could try on.

Twenty-one organizations from across the Greater Hartford community attended our annual community benefit performance of A Christmas Carol. Approximately 426 children and adults enjoyed the performance and received boxed LEGO sets – which were generously donated by The LEGO Foundation. Guests also enjoyed hot cocoa and a meet-and-greet with the cast!

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Hartford Stage Gala Preview

Somewhere just inside the gatehouse, a string quartet plays. Exquisitely dressed guests sip champagne and play croquet, escaping the bustle of Manhattan in the seaside playground of empire builders and the Bohemian elite. Inside, candelabras flicker as servants put the final touches on an elaborate state dinner…Welcome to The Gilded Age: New York to Newport! Inspired by Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, Hartford Stage’s annual fundraising gala will take place on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the theatre’s Scene & Paint Shop. For tickets and information, please visit www.hartfordstage.org/gala. 

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Edward Gorey: Theatre and Dance Enthusiast!

Join us at the Wadsworth Atheneum, on Wednesday, February 21, at 6 pm for an engaging discussion about artist Edward Gorey. Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, dance critic Robert Greskovic, and “Gorey’s Worlds” curator Erin Monroe take the stage for a conversation about Edward Gorey’s passion for the arts. Free admission – seating is limited. This event is being held in conjunction with the special Wadsworth exhibition “Gorey’s Worlds,” opening February 10.

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Become our “Partner in Crime”

In February, Hartford Stage will present the thrilling stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. This lavish and highly entertaining production debuted at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre last spring, where it became the best-selling show in their 57-year history as a producing theatre.

Hartford Stage has created an opportunity for mystery lovers and theatre aficionados to become our “Partners in Crime” with this production. For contributions of $1,500 to $6,000, donors will garner special recognition, as well as access to the award-winning artists involved in this extraordinary production. At the top level, you can host a pre-show dinner in our exclusive intermission lounge, which will be transformed into the dining car of the Orient Express for the run of the show, with first-class food and service.  For more information about becoming a “Partner in Crime,” please call Antay Bilgutay at 860-520-7249.

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Coming Next…Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

The exotic Orient Express is about to go off the rails! With a locomotive full of suspects and an alibi for each one, it’s the perfect mystery for detective Hercule Poirot, n’est-ce pas? Wax your mustache and hold on to your passport—adapted from Agatha Christie’s masterpiece, two-time Tony-nominated playwright Ken Ludwig and multi-award-winning director Emily Mann will take you on a suspenseful, thrilling ride aboard the legendary Orient Express! In performance February 15 – March 18 >> https://www.hartfordstage.org/murder-on-the-orient-express/.