Connecticut Announces First Ever Regional Play! in Connecticut Fall Theatre Festival

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Connecticut Office of Tourism announced that from October 23-26, Connecticut's Flagship Producing Theatres will be hosting a vibrant weekend festival of plays, musicals and theatre events at six regional theatres across the state. From classics to new works, to conferences and talks, theatregoers can attend one show or six while enjoying special overnight packages and dining discounts.

"When you think of Connecticut, you might associate it with college basketball. But theatre is just as much of the identity of the state," said Former National Endowment for the Arts chairman Rocco Landsman. "If they gave out an award for the state where the most exciting theatre originated, it would have to be given to Connecticut. Connecticut is all about theatre."

The six participating theatres include the Westport Country Playhouse (1931), Goodspeed Opera House (1963), Hartford Stage (1964), Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (1964), Long Wharf Theatre (1965), and Yale Repertory Theatre (1966).

Each theatre has its own unique mission, providing Connecticut theatregoers with a rich palette of intelligent and entertaining choices. Not only do Connecticut's regional theatres serve their local communities, offering actors both famous and lesser-known a place to practice their craft, but they've become an important vein in the lifeblood of American theatre, routinely premiering works that become part of the nation's canon, staged in New York and beyond. 

"The rich history of Connecticut's resident theatres is unparalleled compared to their counterparts around the country. We want visitors and residents alike to discover all of the cultural gems that our state has to offer and, true to our Revolutionary Thoughts campaign, the Play! in Connecticut Fall Theatre Festival is the perfect way to showcase the state's many unique regional theatres and our vibrant theatre scene," said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. "With so much to do and see in such close proximity to our six resident theatres, festival goers are sure to take away some memorable experiences and realize why Connecticut is such a great place to visit, live, work and play."

Prior to the 1950s, most people experienced theatre through touring companies or vaudeville performances. Access to professional theatre outside of New York was limited. Artists began to chafe at the centralization of their work in New York City, and felt they needed to move away from what they believed was the commercialization of Broadway. The not-for-profit residential theatres could afford to take risks that commercial theatres could not. This idea caught fire in Connecticut. 

As a reaction to the lack of innovation coming out of commercial theatres, five of the six Flagship Producing Theatres were founded by Yale alumni and funded by organizations like the Ford Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Many individuals, corporations and foundations in the state also supported these theatres demonstrating a robust private sector commitment.

Connecticut theatres like Hartford Stage, Yale Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, and Goodspeed Opera House (all Tony Award-winners) were part of the regional theatre boom. Westport Country Playhouse took a slightly different route, starting as a summer stock theatre and evolving into a major player in the regional theatre scene. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center holds a special place in the Connecticut theatrical landscape for its unwavering commitment to new works, launching the careers of some of our nation's most important playwrights, composers, actors, and directors. In many ways, short of the major cities, Connecticut can be said to have the largest concentration of theatrical activity in the country.   

The Play! in Connecticut Fall Theatre Festival offers theatre-lovers a chance to enjoy the state during one of its most beautiful seasons, and fill their weekend with food, drink, and the most exciting theatre in the country. By heading to the Play! in Connecticut Fall Theatre Festival website www.playinct.org, theatregoers can book discounted tickets, check out hotels near each of the theatres and have access to some of the finest cuisine Connecticut has to offer. 

PLAY! IN CONNECTICUT FALL THEATRE FESTIVAL
Schedule of performances at each of the participating theatres:

Weekly itineraries will also be available on the site for travelers to make the most of their weekend. Individual tickets to each of the theatres will go on sale September 8, with an Early Bird 20 percent discount available until September 21. Special events related to each production will be promoted throughout the weekend.

Schedule of special events for each of the participating theatres:

For more details about the Play! in Connecticut Festival, as well as additional information on Connecticut events, trip ideas and exclusive deals check out www.CTvisit.com. Join other passionate residents and visitors by becoming part of the state's social community, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and now, Instagram.

SOURCE Connecticut Office of Tourism