JUST ANNOUNCED!
Sunday, June 4 – Cooking by Heart with Chris Sarandon Featuring Lidia Bastianich
In this podcast series, the discussions with well-known actors, directors, authors, chefs, politicians, business figures, and comedians will center on memories of the meals or favorite foods we all grew up with, from the exotic to the mundane, dishes that still tickle or tantalize us as adults and, most importantly, we’ll discuss the stories and people that accompany those memories. We’ll also post our guests’ favorite recipes on our website.
Actor Chris Sarandon is best known for his roles as Prince Humperdinck in “The Princess Bride,” as the lead speaking voice of Jack Skellington in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” the cunning vampire in “Fright Night,” and his Academy Award-nominated role in “Dog Day Afternoon.” He grew up working in his Greek immigrant father’s restaurant in West Virginia. Both of his Greek grandfathers owned diners and coffee shops, and his son is a trained chef, the family business. (BTW, his daughters are also accomplished cooks!) Sarandon was initially taught to cook by his mother and various cooks in his father’s restaurant. He combines his love of food with an actor’s keen ear for human stories.
Lidia Giuliana Matticchio Bastianich is an Italian-American celebrity chef, television host, author, and restaurateur. Specializing in Italian and Italian-American cuisine, Bastianich has been a regular contributor to public television cooking shows since 1998.
CT Bites is the Media Sponsor.
Part of the Thought Leader Series.
Saturday, June 10 – David Cross
18+
Emmy Award winner and two-time Grammy Award nominee, David Cross is an inventive performer, writer, and producer on stage and screen. In November, Cross taped a comedy special to be released in 2022. He makes guest appearances in the new, critically-acclaimed HBO Max miniseries, Station Eleven, which premiered on December 16, and in the HBO Max film, 8-Bit Christmas, which premiered in November. In March, Cross starred in the National Geographic series, Genius: Aretha, portraying famed music producer, Jerry Wexler opposite Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin.
Cross received rave reviews for his starring role in the dramatic film, The Dark Divide. Based on the beloved book, “Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide,” by Robert Pyle, one of America’s premiere nature writers, the film recreates Pyle’s perilous 1995 journey across one of America’s largest undeveloped wildlands.
Two dollars of each ticket goes to The Innocence Project.
Part of the Comedy Series.
Friday, June 23 – Gary Gulman
Over 25 years in comedy, Gary Gulman has established himself as an eminent performer and peerless writer. It’s no wonder the New York Times wrote, “Gary is finally being recognized as one of the country’s strongest comedians.” A product of Boston, Gulman has been a scholarship college football player, an accountant, and a high school teacher. He has made countless television appearances as both a comedian and an actor and is one of only a handful of comedians to perform on every single late-night comedy program.
Part of the Comedy Series.
Saturday, June 3 – Judy Carmichael
Grammy nominated pianist/vocalist/songwriter/radio host, Judy Carmichael, is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride and swing piano. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride,” for conquering this technically and physically demanding early jazz piano style and celebrated jazz writer, Gary Giddins sagely observed the ironic fact that “the last man standing, in this private, competitive domain, is a woman.” Pianist. Singer. Songwriter. Raconteuse. Peggy Lee meets Fats Waller meets Paula Poundstone.
There will be a pre-show book talk at 6:30pm followed by the concert at 7:30pm!
Part of the First County Bank Jazz Series and the Thought Leader Series.
WSHU is the presenting media sponsor for this event
Friday, May 19 – Julie Benko – Standby, Me ft. Jason Yeager on Piano
Julie Benko is currently marching her band out on Broadway, where you can catch her as the alternate for Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Thursday evenings. She was named the 2022 Breakout Star for Theater in the New York Times, honored as one of 40 Under 40 for Crain’s New York Business, hailed by CBS Mornings as “Broadway’s breakout star,” and praised in several other national platforms extolling her performance. Other Broadway and touring credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, and Spring Awakening. Of her numerous off- Broadway and regional appearances, favorites include Once (Wilde Award, Best Actress in a Musical), The Fantasticks, Our Town, Bar Mitzvah Boy, Rags, The Golem of Havana, and … Spelling Bee at such venues as Barrington Stage, York Theatre Company, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Weston Playhouse, and many more. Her debut album “Introducing Julie Benko” and newest record “Hand in Hand” (Club44 Records), a duo effort with her jazz-pianist spouse Jason Yeager, are now available wherever music is streaming. Julie is also a writer: Her first full-length play, The District, was named as a semifinalist at the Eugene O’Neill’s National Theater Conference, and her first short film, “The Newlywed’s Guide to Physical Intimacy,”received accolades at film festivals across the globe. A native of Fairfield, CT (go Falcons!), she holds a BFA in Drama and an MFA in Acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Visit her website, www.JulieBenko.com, or follow her on Instagram/Tiktok @Jujujuliebee to discover more!
Part of Fairfield’s Newtown Medispa Broadway on Post Series.
Saturday, May 13 – The Psychology of Serial Killers ft. Scott Bonn, PH.D.
Learn about serial killers you’ve never heard for before in this acclaimed, sell-out show. ‘The Psychology of Serial Killers’ hosted by Doctor Scott Bonn, will give even the most dedicated true crime fan new insights to the phenomenon of serial homicide. During this talk, you will learn: Why do some people become serial killers?
Part of the Thought Leader Series.
Disclaimer: This event is for ages 13+ and will include subject matter and images that some patrons may find disturbing.
Thursday, May 4 – Jann Klose
The Grammy nominated recipient of 4 independent music awards will be celebrating the release of his new album! The pop singer-songwriter, who has released seven albums and two EPs was raised in Kenya, South Africa, Germany and the United States. His recent singles “Sugar My,” “Flesh and Blood,” “Love You the Most,” and “Pilot Light” have accumulated over 5 million streams across all platforms and charted on Top 40 radio in the US and South Africa. Jann has worked with several charities including St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Desmond Tutu’s TutuDesk campaign.
Friday, June 2 – Bill Frisell Trio ft. Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston
Bill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than 40 years and many celebrated recordings, whose catalog has been cited by Downbeat as “the best recorded output of the decade.”
Part of the First County Bank Jazz Series.
LIVE EVENTS
Thursday, April 13 – Chucho Valdés
First County Bank Jazz Series
In a career spanning more than 60 years, both as a solo artist and bandleader, Chucho Valdés has distilled elements of the Afro-Cuban music tradition, jazz, classical music, rock, and more, into a deeply personal style. Winner of seven GRAMMY® and four Latin GRAMMY® Awards, Mr. Valdés, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Science last year and was also inducted in the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Saturday, April 15 – Mutts Gone Nuts
Family Series
Nine of the world’s most talented four-legged performers in an uproariously funny comedy dog spectacular that is leaving audiences everywhere howling for more! Deemed “a must see!” by The Washington Post, Mutts Gone Nuts is sure to win Best In Show!
Wednesday, April 19 – Gregory Frost Album Release Concert
The album Our Paradise Lost was written by SHU communications instructor Gregory Golda over his Christmas break in 2021. Working with long-time collaborator and fellow professor of Communications Sid Gottlieb, Golda recorded the album in his own studio and in the studios at Sacred Heart University. The album is a genre-defying collection of 12 songs written while on a solo road trip to visit his family in Buffalo, NY. By the time he got back to Connecticut, the songs were essentially written and then the recording process began. Golda enlisted drummer David Rauh, bass player Randy Stone, and guitarist Tim McGrath to round out the live band, which also includes Gottlieb on guitar and keyboards, and was then fortunate enough to have Maggie Meath join the ensemble, adding new vocal dimensions to all the songs. Maggie has a long history of performances with the Downtown Cabaret in Bridgeport, and she most recently sang lead on several numbers with Fairfield Center Stage’s sold-out Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” show.
The April 19 live premiere of the album is a multi-disciplinary project for Golda and his students. Several of his classes are collaborating to design and produce visual elements integrated into the show, which will also be recorded and streamed.
The event is part of the Academic Music Program at Sacred Heart and its Faculty Concert Series.
Sunday, April 23 – Greater Bridgeport Symphony Presents: GBS String Quartet
ft. Deborah Wong, Arthur Moeller, Nick Hardie & Hannah Burnett
The GBS Quartet, founded by the principal string players of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, has seen a new renaissance since the start of the pandemic in 2020, releasing multiple virtual performances, including collaboration with music director Eric Jacobsen on cello, and expanding their live concert appearances together. You can also find the quartet’s influence leading the strings in all Greater Bridgeport Symphony concerts and recording projects, including their albums with members of the Silkroad Ensemble and with pianist Tiffany Poon, and beautiful video projects with violinists Colin Jacobsen and with Simone Porter. The quartet has further represented the organization in the community in coordination with Music for Youth and the Bridgeport Symphony’s educational grants.
Saturday, April 29 – The Jayhawks
The Jayhawks emerged from a crowded Minnesota music scene in 1985 and – over the course of four decades, 11 albums and countless memorable live shows – won the hearts of critics and fans of their rootsy, rocking alt-country sound. This performance features tunes from their full career and their most recent studio release XOXO.
Tuesday, May 2 – Martin Sexton & KT Tunstall
Acclaimed singers and songwriters Martin Sexton & KT Tunstall visit SHU Community Theatre, each set to perform their own sets to combine for an amazing night of music. Martin Sexton extends touring in support of his ninth studio release ‘Mixtape of the Open Road.’ Sexton got his start singing in the streets and subways of Boston in the early 90’s. Still fiercely independent and headlining venues from The Fillmore to Carnegie Hall, he has influenced a generation of contemporary artists. Since scoring a worldwide smash with her debut album ‘Eye To The Telescope’ in 2004, which went on to sell over 5 million copies, KT Tunstall has remained at the forefront of UK singer- songwriter talent. Over the next decade, three further critically acclaimed albums followed; ‘Drastic Fantastic,’ ‘Tiger Suit’ and ‘Invisible Empire//Crescent Moon,’ keeping the platinum sales rolling and cementing the Scottish singer-songwriter’s reputation as a major recording talent and a mesmerizing live artist.
Thursday, May 4 – Jann Klose
The Grammy nominated recipient of 4 independent music awards will be celebrating the release of his new album! The pop singer-songwriter, who has released seven albums and two EPs was raised in Kenya, South Africa, Germany and the United States. His recent singles “Sugar My,” “Flesh and Blood,” “Love You the Most,” and “Pilot Light” have accumulated over 5 million streams across all platforms and charted on Top 40 radio in the US and South Africa. Jann has worked with several charities including St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Desmond Tutu’s TutuDesk campaign.
Friday, May 5 – Norm Lewis
Norm Lewis is a prolific theatre, film, and television actor known for his rich baritone and charismatic stage presence. Among his many noteworthy performances on stage and screen, Lewis originated the role of King Triton in The Little Mermaid on Broadway and broke down barriers as the first Black actor to play Javert in Les Miserables, as well as the first to perform in the titular role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Notable screen appearances include a recurring role on Scandal and a memorable turn in Spike Lee’s 2020 drama Da 5 Bloods. In his performance at SHU Community Theatre, expect an evening of song and wit from one of Broadway’s most engaging performers!
Saturday, May 13 – The Psychology of Serial Killers ft. Scott Bonn, PH.D.
Learn about serial killers you’ve never heard for before in this acclaimed, sell-out show. ‘The Psychology of Serial Killers’ hosted by Doctor Scott Bonn, will give even the most dedicated true crime fan new insights to the phenomenon of serial homicide. During this talk, you will learn: Why do some people become serial killers?
Disclaimer: This event is for ages 13+ and will include subject matter and images that some patrons may find disturbing.
Friday, May 19 – Julie Benko – Standby, Me ft. Jason Yeager on Piano
Julie Benko is currently marching her band out on Broadway, where you can catch her as the alternate for Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Thursday evenings. She was named the 2022 Breakout Star for Theater in the New York Times, honored as one of 40 Under 40 for Crain’s New York Business, hailed by CBS Mornings as “Broadway’s breakout star,” and praised in several other national platforms extolling her performance. Other Broadway and touring credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, and Spring Awakening. Of her numerous off- Broadway and regional appearances, favorites include Once (Wilde Award, Best Actress in a Musical), The Fantasticks, Our Town, Bar Mitzvah Boy, Rags, The Golem of Havana, and … Spelling Bee at such venues as Barrington Stage, York Theatre Company, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Weston Playhouse, and many more. Her debut album “Introducing Julie Benko” and newest record “Hand in Hand” (Club44 Records), a duo effort with her jazz-pianist spouse Jason Yeager, are now available wherever music is streaming. Julie is also a writer: Her first full-length play, The District, was named as a semifinalist at the Eugene O’Neill’s National Theater Conference, and her first short film, “The Newlywed’s Guide to Physical Intimacy,”received accolades at film festivals across the globe. A native of Fairfield, CT (go Falcons!), she holds a BFA in Drama and an MFA in Acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Visit her website, www.JulieBenko.com, or follow her on Instagram/Tiktok @Jujujuliebee to discover more!
Part of Fairfield’s Newtown Medispa Broadway on Post Series.
Friday, June 2 – Bill Frisell Trio ft. Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston
Bill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than 40 years and many celebrated recordings, whose catalog has been cited by Downbeat as “the best recorded output of the decade.”
Part of the First County Bank Jazz Series.
Saturday, June 3 – Judy Carmichael
WSHU is the presenting media sponsor for this event
Grammy nominated pianist/vocalist/songwriter/radio host, Judy Carmichael, is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride and swing piano. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride,” for conquering this technically and physically demanding early jazz piano style and celebrated jazz writer, Gary Giddins sagely observed the ironic fact that “the last man standing, in this private, competitive domain, is a woman.” Pianist. Singer. Songwriter. Raconteuse. Peggy Lee meets Fats Waller meets Paula Poundstone.
There will be a pre-show book talk at 6:30pm followed by the concert at 7:30pm!
Part of the Thought Leader Series and the First County Bank Jazz Series.
Friday, June 23 – Gary Gulman
Over 25 years in comedy, Gary Gulman has established himself as an eminent performer and peerless writer. It’s no wonder the New York Times wrote, “Gary is finally being recognized as one of the country’s strongest comedians.” A product of Boston, Gulman has been a scholarship college football player, an accountant, and a high school teacher. He has made countless television appearances as both a comedian and an actor and is one of only a handful of comedians to perform on every single late-night comedy program.
Part of the Comedy Series.
