See World-Class Live Theatre in Connecticut and Long Island
There’s nothing quite like the energy that reverberates at a live theatrical performance. You can make the trip into the city, but that can be a production of its own. Fortunately, there are countless outstanding regional theatres in Connecticut and on Long Island, where you can see world-class stage productions at a fraction of the cost and easier access. Here are some of the top regional live theatres that are an easy drive from New York City.
Live Theatre in Connecticut
Whether it’s musical theatre, classic drama or experimental works, you’ll find it in Connecticut:
- The Goodspeed Opera House—Often referred to as the “Home of the American Musical,” Goodspeed has a storied past, opening in 1963 in East Haddam, along the Connecticut River. Over its history, Goodspeed has launched more than 70 world premieres, including more than 20 shows that made it to Broadway.
- The Ivoryton Playhouse—A cultural landmark for more than 100 years, the Ivoryton has a long history as one of the country’s top summer theatre venues. Among the legends who have trod its boards are Katherine Hepburn, Mae West, Betty Grable and Marlon Brando. The cozy 250-seat theatre has been fully renovated over the past quarter of a century.
- The Legacy Theatre—Located in Stony Creek in Branford, the Legacy was honored by BroadwayWorld as he “favorite local professional theatre” in 2023. The Legacy boasts a broad range of theatrical offerings, from musicals to cabaret-style shows to children’s theatre.
- The Hartford Stage—The go-to place for Shakespeare in Connecticut, Hartford Stage has long been a center of classic theatre, with productions of Moliere, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Vladimir Nabokov and Henrik Ibsen, among other renowned playwrights.
The Top Regional Theatre Companies on Long Island
There’s also no shortage of great live theatre opportunities on Long Island:
- The Cultural Arts Playhouse—Located in Merrick, the Cultural Arts Playhouse has put on more than 500 productions in the last 30 years, offering a wide range of performances, from adult professional productions to children’s theatre. The main stage is affectionately referred to as “Broadway in your backyard.”
- The John W. Engeman Theater, in Northport—Initially constructed in 1912 as the town’s first movie house, the theatre was rebuilt in 1932 after a devastating fire, serving as a movie house for the next half century. In 2006, the current owners converted the building to a year-round live theatre venue, renaming the building to honor an American soldier killed in Iraq. The theatre now offers a wide range of classic and contemporary theatrical productions.
