"WATER" THEME OF 30TH ANNUAL LEONARDO CHALLENGE: SPLASH IN THE FUN!

Water is essential to life. While it may be without taste or smell or color, it is vital for all forms of life. It is not a source of nutrition or energy but humans must consume it if they hope to survive. About 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water and it is essential for agriculture, food production, fishing, transportation, sports, and cooling and heating homes and industries. What would we do without it?

The Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop wants you to look at water in an entirely different way. Think of the Greek god Narcissis who fell in love with his own reflection when he stared into a pool of water. The 30th Annual Leonardo Challenge, since 1995, has been a special fundraiser for the Museum, encouraging artists and craftspeople to focus on a specific item relating to the creative ideas of that master inventor Leonardo da Vinci.

This year on Thursday, May 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m that focus will be splashed and saturated on WATER, concentrating on all the ways Leonardo incorporated this substance into his artistic creations.

Come to the Museum, 915 Whitney Avenue, in Hamden for Food and Drink, an Art Auction and Live Music, both indoors and outdoors. Tickets are $85 each, with sponsorship tiers from $250-$5000. For credit card transactions, call 203-777-1833 or visit www.eliwhitney.org/events/leonardo-water. Tickets are available online or at the door.

In past years, the themes of the challenge have ranged from ice cream spoons to pencils to mirrors to buttons to playing cards and clothespins and many more. This year Leonardo’s relationship with water, his paintings and observations, will be explored by artists from all over the country. Perhaps one will create a piece of furniture, an item of jewelry, a children’s game, a mobile, a lamp, a piece of clothing, a work of art, the possibilities are endless. As an Italian born in 1452, he set the bar high, with his accomplishments in sculpture, painting, mathematics, architecture, engineering, anatomy, botany, geology, cartography, music and writing.

To date, artists have contributed such items as Angelic Seraph, Covered Bridge, As I See It, The Spirit of the Tide, Watercolor Postcards, Go With the Flow, and Ocean Bliss, and many more.

What better way to support and encourage the budding child inventors of tomorrow than by endowing the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop projects today. Come to the Challenge and applaud the unique works artists and artisans have recently contributed. Please support the worthy cause of educating our youth in thought provoking experiences and experiments of invention and design. Just as Leonardo might have said, “In every drop of water, there is a story waiting to be told.” Come hear this distinctive story for yourself.

GOODSPEED PRESENTS A POWERFUL "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR"

Few composers are the equal of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was never one to take the road more traveled. Even as a teenager when he was just starting to test out his literary pen he chose a topic less main stream and more creative: he wrote a musical about a boy in the Bible who receives an unusual gift from his father. That became the world famous rock musical “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

In the years to come, Lloyd Webber continued his unorthodox choice of subject matter by composing musicals about a gang of backyard felines (CATS), a poor woman who rises to become a powerful figurehead in her country of Argentina (Evita), teams of train engines who race on roller skates (Starlight Express) and a disfigured young man hiding in the bowels of a Paris opera house (The Phantom of the Opera).

Now you have the opportunity to experience another record breaking musical about another boy in the Bible: “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” playing Wednesday to Sunday, to June 7 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.

Composed by Lloyd Webber with Tim Rice, this over five decade old musical concerns the last week in the life of Jesus Christ and it is an emotional and moving experience. This is true punk rock, a biblical retelling of a savior who wants to cleanse the world of corruption and sin. This last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ, who is portrayed by a memorable Justin Matthew Sargent, is told through the eyes of his betrayer, one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, played with all his anger and confusion evident by Austin Lesch.

Tender moments are underscored by Stephanie Zaharis’s Mary Magdalene as she confesses to Jesus “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” while the passion and suffering are momentarily alleviated by the antics of a song and dance Vaudeville routine by King Herod, a mischief making Nicolette Antonia Shin belting out “King Herod’s Song." The high powered political naysayers who have banned together to end Jesus’ reign as the King of the Jews are led by Pontius Pilate’s Deven Kolluri, Jamari Darling as Calaphas and Kevin Trinio Perdido as Annas and the Priests Elijah Dawson and Michael James.

This spectacular rock musical that separates the myth from the man is directed by Tatiana Pandiani and the non-stop dance moves are choreographed by Amy Campbell. The lighting designed by Cha See is especially effective. A full orchestra led by Adam Souza supports the fully glorious sung story.

For tickets ($30 and up), call the box office at 860- 873-8668 or online at goodspeed.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m , Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (and select 2 p.m.), Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.(and select 6:30 p.m.).

Enter the emotional whirlwind as Jesus Christ realizes that those closest to him are determined to witness his destruction. After three years of trying to teach his beliefs as the son of God, he is sad and tired and prepared to die for his cause. He knows Peter will deny him three times and that Judas will betray him but he is accepting of his fate. Witness his powerful epic history.

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS "MOTHERS KNOW BEST"

If your memory is good, assuming you were already alive way back when, you can conjure up a radio show from 1949 that found a new home on television in 1954. It starred Robert Young as Jim Anderson and Jane Wyatt as his wife Margaret, and became a classic American sitcom about their three children Betty, Bud and Kathy (or Kitten to you), their daily challenges, in a middle class family living happily under one roof in a fictional Midwestern town Springfield.

As the series “Father Knows Best,” the show portrayed family life, the dynamics between parents and children, was highly-rated, ranked in the top ten Neilsen ratings, won several Emmy Awards and achieved high marks in telling character driven stories. Now move over “Father Knows Best,” and make room for a new team in town: Laura and Linda Benanti.

Westport Country Playhouse is offering up “Mothers Know Best” for your entertainment pleasure on Saturday, May 9 at 4 p.m. as a charming cabaret show from this mother/daughter duo. Laura, the daughter of Linda Wonneberger, a vocal coach and former actress and Martin Vidrovici, a Broadway actor and singer, is a Tony Award-winning actress and singer of Irish, German, and Serbian origin. Her credits include playing Maria von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” and Louise in "Gypsy” for which she won a Tony for Best Featured Actress. In addition, she was Tony-nominated for her roles in "Swing,” “Into the Woods,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” and “She Loves Me.”

Laura has also had appearances on series and sitcoms like “Go On,” “Nashville,” “Laura,” “Supergirl,” “The Detour,” “Gossip Girl” and “The Gilded Age.” You may remember seeing her, since 2016, on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert as First Lady Melania Trump. Laura Benanti has played everyone from Eliza Doolittle to Cinderella to Tallulah Bankhead. She is a big fan of Stephen Sondheim, has written a comedic board book for mothers M is for Mama (and also Merlot): A Modern Mom’s ABCs and toured around the world performing concerts. She is currently filming the Sony Pictures comedy NO HARD FEELINGS opposite Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Lawrence as well as The SHADE based on the award-winning short of the same name. Her performance in all forms of media have been called “a revelation,” “almost steals the show,” "one of our finest stage actresses,” a bold and energetic impression,” "stylish, witty and sneaklily funny,” and “show-stealing performance.”

Billy Stritch provides musical direction when Laura joins her mom Linda focusing on mother-daughter relationships in a sweet and touchingly humorous way. Mom has been seen in such shows as “The Odyssey,” “The Fantastics,” “Camelot,” “The Music Man,” “A Little Night Music,” “No, No, Nanette,” and “Guys and Dolls,” and many more. Now she has a vocal studio in New Jersey where she teaches local students to Broadway stars.

Linda is happily postponing retirement to go across country with Laura in a new entertainment endeavor with prior stops at 54 Below and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For tickets ($95, 85, and 75), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at box-office@westportplayhouse.org.

Come hear these two special ladies share meaningful parenting stories and styles, Linda's love of Judy Garland, sing duets like “Children Will Listen,” Laura sing a medley of songs from “My Fair Lady,” and originals songs she wrote herself and gift the audience with a rare present of their true affection as mother/ daughter, proving over again that “Mothers Know Best.” Sorry, Robert Young, you’ve been replaced. Plus, this is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day!

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE OFFERS A "FURLOUGH'S PARADISE"

What would two cousins who have grown up on the same street, virtually in each other’s pockets, for their entire childhood, do when they take dramatically different paths to the future? As adults these two women find themselves thrust together in a catayclysmic heart wrenching encounter over one three day weekend. A funeral has brought the pair in a visceral clash that threatens their emotional well being irrevocably.

Let the Yale Repertory Theatre put you in the middle of the conflict with a.k.payne’s starkly revealing “Furlough’s Paradise” until Saturday, May 16. These two Black women are powerfully portrayed by Tiffany McLarty’s Mina and Lauren F. Walker’s Sade. No longer are they hopeful girls sharing memories of watching "The Little Mermaid" together while munching on bowls of Cookie Crisp cereal, building forts out of bed sheets or holding pillow fights, and reminiscing about Mina’s dad and Sade’s mom, brother and sister, and how they colored and influenced their childhood.

Now Sade is on a brief furlough from prison and Mina reflects on her college education and future plans and their differences balloon as giant obstacles before them. Can they crawl their way back from the cliff of alienation and find the peace and love they once embraced? Is there a reconciliation in their future, a chance to create a utopia together? As they reenact their parents’s funerals, they work to reestablish their love pact from the past, but can they? This involving and emotion driven drama is directed by abgail jean-baptist.

For tickets ($15-50), call the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven at 203-432-1234 or online at yalerep.org. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., with talkbacks after with the cast and playwright.

Watch how grieving and shared memories of the past allow these two almost-sisters to reopen closed doors to their hearts and souls.

NEW HAVEN THEATER COMPANY HAS STORIES OF IRELAND GALORE

Storytelling dates back to prehistoric times to preserve culture and communicate ideas. Before the invention of writing around 3200 BCE, the primary method of storytelling was by word of mouth. Epic tales, theatrical narratives, and religious texts were told. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century shot storytelling up the revolutionary trail.

For a revealing example of this ancient art, with an emphasis on ghost stories with things that go bump in the night, travel to an Irish pub, Brendan’s, courtesy of the New Haven Theater Company where a quintet of people, four men who know each other well and a woman new to the community have gathered for a pint or three of Guinness. Join them for Conor McPherson’s "The Weir” as they share tales of a supernatural theme that touch the heart and the imagination. Until Saturday, May 9, the EBM and Civvies Vintage Store, 839 Chapel Street, New Haven will offer you a seat at the bar.

Director George Kulp is passionate about this play, calling Conor McPherson the finest playwright of his generation. He calls this play lyrical and amazing, that in February 2025 was adapted into a film with the cast of the Dublin/London revival. The four men who frequently meet over a pint of stout have know each other for years: Gavin Whelan’s Brendan who owns the pub and his usual customers, J. Kevin Smith’s Jack, Steve Scarpa’s Jim, and John Bachelder’s Finbar. Tonight Finbar chances to introduce a newcomer who has just moved to the community, Melissa Andersen's Valerie.

As the alcohol loosens their Irish tongues, the men start telling stories that involve conflicts in the past, burial plots, romances that went wrong with regrets, strange knocks on the door, ghostly overtones, betting on horses, tales of fairies, old folklore, tricksters, priestly blessings, a special soup stock, a newly dug grave, a howling wind and an accident under the water.

For tickets ($25), go online to www.newhaventheatercompany.com. Performances are Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Get involved in the private and public lives of these hard working Irish men who are fascinated by the beautiful newcomer in their world. They wow her with strange tales of the past, real or imagined, and then are spellbound when they listen to the story she is compelled to share with them in return.

SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE PROCLAIMS "IT'S A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING"

Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre is proclaiming “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” until Sunday, May 10 and you are cordially invited to make it a glorious occasion. Hopefully you’ll be requested to sing along without having to audition for a part. Singing is a delightful pastime and will make you feel happy and alive, spirited and full of joy.

A chorus of five will set the stage, the tempo and the harmony for a tribute to the great team of Rodgers and Hammerstein with a musical revue of Broadway Classics. Come feast on a banquet of hit tunes and some lesser known songs from such gems as "The King and I,” “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “Cinderella,” ”State Fair,” and “South Pacific.” What a treasure chest of jewels!

With a special cast that includes Morgan Cowling, Abigail Hammond, Elizabeth Fox, Kenneth Galm and Charles Romano, under the smooth direction of Constantine Pappas, and a great accompanying band of Richard Carsey on piano, Eric Pelletier on reeds, Igor Lepak on bass, and Mark Ryan and Bob Nolte on percussion, the stage is set. Sit back for a delightful serenade of tunes you fondly remember and many that will be new to your ears. More than thirty tunes are awaiting you, like Oklahoma’s Surrey with the Fringe on the Top, The Sound of Music's Maria, South Pacific’s I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and South Pacific’s Some Enchanted Evening. The magic keeps rolling along.

For tickets, visit SevenAngelsTheatre.org or call 203-757-4676. Remember the speciality nights that accompany many performances. Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Look forward to Patricia Griffin, psychic medium on May 17, $32 and Lee-Ann Lovelace Live!, on May 24, $30 and The Broken Hearts-A Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on June 6, $25. Check out the Youth Summer Theatre Program for ages 7-18 starting June 22.

In these stressful times, it is wonderful to let yourself relax for a few hours of pure listening pleasure and Seven Angels has just the perfect ticket here.

"LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION." CONCERTS CELEBRATING MOVIES AND MUSIC BY CTGMC

Movies and Music go together like Butter and Popcorn, especially when they are paired by the genius of the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus for a trio of festive spring concerts. This incredible men’s assemblage of superb voices are ready to present a parade of movies where songs are the stars and all you have to do is sit back and hum along with pleasure.

On Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., take a seat at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Center in Old Saybrook or on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m., let the SHU Community Theatre in Fairfield be your magical venue. Are your favorite songsters Cher, Elvis, Liza, Adele, Madonna, Barbra, Neil, Frank or Johnny, and you are sure to hear some of your favorites, You might enjoy some of your besties like from “My Fair Lady,” or “Oklahoma,” some newer history themed treats like “Hamilton” or “Les Mis.” Be surprised to sing along to "Beauty and the Beast” or "The Music Man.” You never know what gifts the CTCMC has in store. You just know that it will be spectacular fun and perfect for your entertainment needs.

Come treat yourself to “Lights. Camera. Action. A Celebration of the Music of the Movies” as the silver screen comes alive with “unforgettable moments to Academy Award-winning songs you know and love.” The CTGMC promises a trio of afternoons and evenings packed with “big harmonies, standout vocals and glorious melodies.” Who could ask for anything more.

If music be the spice of life, play on. And don’t forget the exciting BingoMania the chorus is famous for hosting on one Saturday night a month. The next one scheduled is May 16, “May the 4th Be With You.” Admission for cards is $25, with cash prizes up to $2500. Cocktails, snacks, desserts and drinks are available and costumes are encouraged. Door open at 6 p.m. and games start at 7p.m. at The Annex Club, 554 Woodward Avenue, New Haven (just off I-95).

For concert tickets ($45) go to www.ctgmc.org.

Let these creative and colorful guys salute the movies and their memorable music for a fun and entertaining matinee or evening showcase.