Connecticut Ballet is back with its free outdoor series,
"Ballet Under the Stars", bringing a compact company of 10 dancers to parks across the state this month. The program features seven choreographed pieces performed at several public venues, with company founder Brett Raphael set to introduce or narrate each show.
What residents need to know
Most tour stops will go on as scheduled, but there have been two changes: a planned University of Connecticut event on July 10 was postponed for a year, and a July 28 engagement at Mill River Park in Stamford has been canceled. The West Hartford appearance at Elizabeth Park on July 18 carries the tour's only rain date — July 19.
The series opens at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown and includes performances at Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Westport, Elizabeth Park Conservancy in West Hartford, Richter Park in Danbury, and a non-Connecticut stop in Yonkers, N.Y.
Program and performers
The seven-piece roster will feature the same choreography at each Connecticut stop. Among the works:
- "Suitcase" — a duet set to the Keb Mo' song of the same name, choreographed by Alexander Tressor and danced by Carrington Martin and Seth Mostofsky. Blues guitarist and composer Keb Mo' has performed in Connecticut and previously composed theater music in the state.
- "Garnish" — a tribute to jazz pianist Erroll Garner originally choreographed by Broadway actor-choreographer Douglas Norwick. Raphael has reconstructed the piece in part from memories of seeing Norwick's version more than four decades ago. This work involves eight of the tour's 10 dancers: Martin, Mostofsky, Paulo Gutierrez, Clara Hernandez, Samael Maurice, Camila Pino, Ava Prentice and Cameron Smith.
- Other works — the program also includes pieces by guest choreographers; the company says the same seven pieces will be presented at each stop.
Company founder Brett Raphael will be on hand at every performance to introduce the program and provide narration.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 7 p.m. | Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown |
| July 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, Westport |
| July 18 | 7 p.m. (rain date July 19) | Elizabeth Park Conservancy, West Hartford |
| July 25 | 6:30 p.m. | Yonkers, N.Y. (non-CT stop) |
| July 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Richter Park, Danbury |
| July 28 | — | Mill River Park, Stamford (canceled) |
Practical details
All Connecticut performances in the series are free and held outdoors. Audiences should plan for variable summer weather; only the West Hartford performance lists a rain date. Attendees are advised to check local venue updates for last-minute changes.
The tour brings a condensed company and accessible programming to public green spaces, offering residents an opportunity to see professional dance without a theater ticket or travel to a city venue.
For more information on specific venues, times or potential last-minute changes, check the Connecticut Ballet's official channels and the host parks' event pages.
