CPTV to Produce and Broadcast a Six-Part Series Filmed Live at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center Featuring Broadway Greats and Contemporary Artists
HARTFORD, Conn. (Feb. 6, 2015) – Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) is teaming up with the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (the Kate) for a six-part series of shows to be televised statewide. These CPTV productions will be recorded live at the Kate in 2015 for broadcast later this year and early 2016. The series will focus on acts that are a mash-up of music and stories, and the thrill of discovery. The shows will highlight Broadway and contemporary artists in spectacular performances in the Kate’s intimate 250-seat theater.
The first show for the series will be Jarrod Spector on Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Having played Frankie Valli in Broadway’s Jersey Boys for over 1,500 performances, Jarrod’s new show traces the sounds that Frankie had, from Caruso, The Beach Boys, Little Jimmy Scott, Wham and Little Richard up to Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars and Queen. The evening includes such classic songs as “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Don’t You Worry About a Thing,” “Faith,” “Uptown Girl” as well as several Four Seasons hits including “C’Mon Marianne,” Beggin” and more.
“The Kate is delighted to be working with CPTV on this exciting new concept, and we look forward to sharing the experience of the Kate with those around the state, especially those who have not yet made it down to Old Saybrook to experience the Kate for themselves,” said Brett Elliott, interim director of the Kate.
“The Kate is the perfect venue for creating what we’re calling a nouveau cabaret-style show. You may see a film star singing and telling stories, or a Broadway actor performing rock ‘n’ roll,” said Jennifer Boyd, the show’s co-creator and producer, as well as an executive producer at CPTV. “This is an opportunity for performers to test new material or experiment in areas outside of their normal comfort zone.”
“We’re pleased to continue our tradition of showcasing the very best performance shows on television today,” said Dean Orton, chief operating officer of Connecticut Public, parent company of CPTV. “Adding the Kate to our roster of arts programming enhances our ability to highlight the rich and diverse arts community that exists in Connecticut.”
Future performances will be announced soon, and all tickets will be available at the Kate’s box office.
For more information on tickets for the Feb. 23 show, or to receive updates on future shows, visit www.thekate.org or call 877-503-1286.
About the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit performing arts organization located in an historic theatre/town hall on Main Street in Old Saybrook. Originally opened in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Center has been renovated with public funds from the Town of Old Saybrook and donations raised by the Trustees of the Center. It includes a 250-seat theatre and a small museum honoring Katharine Hepburn, Old Saybrook’s most celebrated resident. As befits an organization born of such a public/private partnership, programming is eclectic, offering something for all ages and income levels on the Connecticut shore and in the lower river valley.
About Connecticut Public Television
CPTV is a media service of the Connecticut Public. It is a locally and nationally recognized producer and presenter of quality public television programming, including original documentaries, public affairs shows, and educational programming. CPTV has built a reputation as a leader in children’s programming, including playing an historic role in bringing Barney & Friends™, Bob the Builder™, and Thomas & Friends™ to public television. The station offers 11.5 hours of positive, nurturing children’s programs each weekday, reaching 450,000 households each week. The Connecticut Public also includes WNPR, an affiliate of National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media. WNPR serves 276,000 listeners weekly in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island with news and information. Its award-winning local programming includes The Faith Middleton Show, The Colin McEnroe Show, and Where We Live. CPBN also includes two affiliate channels: CPTV4U, a 24/7 television channel featuring award-winning drama, news and talk programming, concert performances, independent films, nature shows, British comedy and more; and CPTV Sports, Connecticut’s only 24-hour local sports network, covering statewide high school, college, semi-professional, and professional sports. CPBN also houses the Learning Lab, home to the Journalism & Media Academy Magnet School satellite campus and the Institute for Advanced Media, which includes the Veterans Vocational Training Program. For more information, visit cptv.org.
To download a PDF of this press release, click here: CPTV and the Kate Join for New Performance Series