I  love the theater, and eastern Connecticut has some great places to see a live show.

The very first theater I visited when I moved here was the Bradley Playhouse, a gem of a theater in the northeastern town of Putnam, a short drive off I-395. The Bradley is an old Vaudeville theater, over 100 years old, smack in the middle of the quaint downtown and surrounded by antique stores and great places to eat. With seven shows per year, there’s always something to see at Bradley.

2010’s shows include Fiddler on the Roof, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Grease, The Crucible, and A Christmas Carol. Whatever you choose, it’s the perfect, intimate theater experience that will leave you thoroughly charmed and ready to buy tickets for the next show. When the show’s over, take a stroll around the block and choose a great restaurant for the perfect end to your evening. Visit The Bradley Playhouse for more information.

If you’re in the southeastern area and are looking for a night out at the theater, take a drive to New London, also off I-395 and 95, and check out the Garde Arts Center. Also a historic vaudeville house, the Garde was a well-known movie house as well, and to this day remains a favorite for film lovers.

Broadway shows are what they are known best for now and what I go for. No need to go to NYC with the Garde in town. With a full, diverse 2010 calendar, you should be able to find matinees for kids  to adult evening entertainment. This year’s calendar features Cats, Charlotte’s Web, as well as symphonies, musical artists and more.

Like the Bradley, the Garde is only a short walk from some great dining – so go ahead and make a night of it! Visit Garde Arts for more info. Check out the variety!

Mystic has everything — why not theater too? Tucked away in Olde Mistick Village right off I-95, The Cornerstone Playhouse is the perfect choice for a smaller theater experience when visiting Mystic. The shows are incredibly energetic and fun begging you to sit back, relax, and have a blast. With shows like Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows and Ben Dover and the American Dream, Cornerstone’s schedule this year is upbeat, fun-filled and family oriented. This is a child-friendly theater stop if the kids need a rest after a full day at the Aquarium or the Seaport. I already have my tickets to bring my nieces to see Cratchit’s Christmas this holiday season! Learn more at Cornerstone Productions.

Last stop before Broadway — the The Goodspeed Musicals located in the Goodspeed Opera House, are internationally renowned. The Goodspeed (a beauty of a building) is  located on the river in East Haddam; the company produces three musicals each season (not Opera — the name is misleading). Their Norma Terris Theater in nearby Chester is famous for its up and coming shows, many of which hit the Broadway stage.

2010 productions at the Opera House include Carnival!, Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun, and the one at the top of my list: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

The atmosphere is awesome as well. The Opera House is nestled on the banks of the Connecticut River, in an adorable village bustling with restaurants and shops. Ladies, leave your heels at home so you can take in the sights before the show and enjoy the full experience. Here’s the website for both Goodspeed Musicals at the Opera House and The Norma Terris Theatre Goodspeed.

SHARE THIS