A sense of literate liveliness pervades the arts scene this week with smart, savvy expressions contained in catchy songs and sharply spoken dialogues.
The musical “Ain’t Too Proud” at The Bushnell May 30 through June 4 is written by acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau who wrote “Detroit ‘67” and “Sunset Baby,” and “Webster’s Bitch” is a comedy where dictionary editors debate naughty words.
The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica brings history, heritage and folklore to its dances. Bruce Cockburn and Dar Williams deliver thoughtful, lyrical sociopolitical statements, and Maple Mars’ latest album brings poppy brightness to weighty song titles like “Crooked Smile,” “Useless Information” and “Redemption.” Indigo Girls are as well known for their activism as for songs like “Closer to Fine.”
Time to get smart with your art. Here are some of the top things to do and see in Connecticut arts.
Mamaliga
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
A klezmer band based in both Boston and Brooklyn finds middle ground with a Connecticut gig on May 31 at 7:30 p.m. at The Kate in Old Saybrook. Mamaglia mingles traditional klezmer compositions with its own original tunes. $22. katharinehepburntheater.org.
‘Webster’s Bitch’
Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford
Playhouse on Park is premiering Jacqueline Bircher’s “Webster’s Bitch,” which takes place in the offices of a dictionary publisher in Stamford and is about the exciting world of lexicography, determining the importance, value and power of words. The play has had some success as a one-act. This is the first production of its new full-length version, running May 31 through June 18. Performances are Tuesdays at 2 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $25-$42.50. playhouseonpark.org.
Bianca Del Rio and Gianmarco Soresi
College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven
Drag and film star Bianca Del Rio, one of the true all-stars of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” brings her excoriating putdowns and garish gowns to College Street Music Hall on June 1 at 8 p.m. for a Stand Up Against Homelessness benefit. Standup comedian and podcaster Gianmarco Soresi is also cracking wise for the benefit. $59-$185. collegestreetmusichall.com.
National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica
Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven
National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica mixes folk dance, classical dance, modern dance and a celebration of Jamaican heritage. The troupe’s visit to New Haven this week is a co-presentation of the 2023 International Festival of Arts & Ideas, whose main festival runs June 10-25, and the Shubert. June 2 at 7 p.m., June 3 at 2 p.m. $34.50-470.20. shubert.com.
Indigo Girls
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
Indigo Girls take the long view. The duo was part of the same 1980s local music scene in Georgia that birthed REM, B-52s, Pylon and dozens of other bands. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have continued as a folk-based pop duo for decades. They played Toad’s Place in New Haven regularly throughout the ‘90s and bring friendly, heartfelt, socially conscious and politically active songs to summer festivals around the country. Indigo Girls’ “Look Long” tour is at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom on June 2 at 8 p.m. $70 and $80. foxwoods.com.
Joe Alterman
Palace Theater, 100 E. Main St., Waterbury
Atlanta-based jazz pianist Joe Alterman plays as part of Waterbury Palace’s Spring Jazz Series. (The Summer Jazz Series commences a few weeks from now.) June 2 at 7 and 9 p.m. $36. palacetheaterct.org.
Romantic Baby and Friends
Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 15 Asylum St., Hartford
The female improv sketch troupe Romantic Baby, featuring some of the main movers and shakers of Sea Tea Improv and its Sea Tea Comedy Theater, returns to do more of its never-before-seen long-form improv comedy sketches. June 2 at 9 p.m. $10. seateaimprov.com.
The Mighty Soul Drivers
Black-Eyed Sally’s, 350 Asylum St., Hartford
There’s footage of The Mighty Soul Drivers mounting a stage last month in the food tent of the Meriden Daffodil Festival during a torrential rainstorm. They were one of the few bands not canceled by the weather. Led by Bob Orsi of the legendary local acts The Scratch Band and D. Smith Blues Band, The Mighty Soul Drivers bring their own storm of trumpet, sax, keyboards, drums, guitar, bass and soul shouting. June 3 at 8 p.m. at Hartford’s premiere blues room, Black-Eyed Sally’s. blackeyedsallys.com.
Billy Porter
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
Billy Porter’s Mona Lisa Tour Volume 1 reminds everyone what a great all-around entertainer he is. You may know him as an actor from “Pose” or from his dozens of guest appearances on everything from “The Simpsons” to “American Horror Story.” He recently made his film directing debut with “Anything’s Possible.” His theater resume is the longest, including Broadway hits from “Miss Saigon” in the early ‘90s to “Kinky Boots” a few years ago. Connecticut theatergoers remember his hysterical turn in the gay comedy “Going Native” at the Long Wharf in 2002. He sings, he dances, he gets serious, he always entertains. June 3 at 8 p.m. in Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $40-$60. foxwoods.com.
Maple Mars and Shellye Valauskas Experience
Cafe Nine, 250 State St., New Haven
Maple Mars is a decades-old power pop project featuring Hamden native Keith Hromadka. An Emmy-winning music producer for film and TV in Los Angeles, Hromadka only visits the New Haven area once every year or two. The timing is great this year: Maple Mars’ bouncy, smart pop is terrific for the final weeks of spring and the beginning of summer, June 3 at Cafe Nine. The Shellye Valauskas Experience, with Dean Falcone on guitar, opens the 9 p.m. show. $10. cafenine.com.
Bruce Cockburn and Dar Williams
Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
An inspired folk double-bill on June 3 at 8 p.m. at Infinity Hall joins Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn (of “If I Had a Rocket Launcher”) and Dar Williams (“As Cool As I Am” and “When I Was a Boy”), who was born in New York state but whose career began in Boston. $55-$65. infinityhall.com.
