Non-profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDHartford, CTPermit No. 751

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106-1621

C O m I N g U P A T T H e b U S H N e l l

www.bushnell.org

January 2009

8-11

Beethoven Symphony No. 2Hartford Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Series8p.m. (3 p.m. on January 11) Belding Theater

9

Hot Chocolate SoulDoors open at 8 p.m.Autorino Great Hall

13-18

AVENUE QThe Hartford Financial Services Group Broadway SeriesPerformance times varyMortensen Hall

23

Ha! Ha! Hartford!Sponsored by United Technologies Corporation8:30 p.m.Belding Theater

24

An Evening with Kevin Smith7:30 p.m.Mortensen Hall

29-30

Aaron CoplandHartford Symphony Connections: American Masters Series7:30 p.m.Belding Theater

29

GOD: Big Questions… Bigger QuestionsThe Connecticut Forum8 p.m.Mortensen Hall

February

4-22

JERSEY BOYSThe Hartford Financial Services Group Broadway SeriesPerformance times varyMortensen Hall

12–15

Beethoven Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”Hartford Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Series8 p.m.Belding Theater

13

Hot Chocolate SoulDoors open at 8 p.m.Autorino Great Hall

14

Dance, Sing, and Play!Hartford Symphony Orchestra Family Matinee Series3 p.m.Belding Theater

20-21

PilobolusSponsored by United Technologies Corporation8 p.m.Belding Theater

28

Magic Treehouse®: The MusicalRobinson & Cole Family Series11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Mortensen Hall

March

6

The Daughter of the Regiment by Gaetano DonizettiThe Connecticut Opera8 p.m. Belding Theater

7

Anika Noni RoseHartford Symphony POPS!8 p.m. Mortensen Hall

8

The Daughter of the Regiment by Gaetano DonizettiConnecticut Opera2 p.m. Belding Theater

12

The Daughter of the Regiment by Gaetano DonizettiConnecticut Opera7:30 p.m. Belding Theater

13

Hot Chocolate SoulDoors open at 8 p.m. Autorino Great Hall

14

The Daughter of the Regiment by Gaetano DonizettiConnecticut Opera8 p.m. Belding Theater

All dates and times are subject to change. For a complete calendar, up-to-date information, or to purchase tickets, call The Bushnell Box Office at (860) 987-5900 or visit our website at:

Beck

y G

ulsv

ig a

s El

le W

oods

in L

egal

ly B

lond

e Th

e M

usic

al. P

hoto

: Joa

n M

arcu

s

P E R F O R M E R1broadway animal trainer and Connecticut native bill berloni answers our questions!

2bushnell celebrates longtime donors with Philanthropy Day

2How do you spell “fun”? b-U-S-H-N-e-l-l!

Winter 2009

5bushnell Children’s Theatre and literature to life perfor-mances of Flight stimulate thought-provoking discussions

N e w s a n d I n f o r m a t i o n f r o m T h e b u s h n e l l

Performer is sponsored by

Q: You originally studied to be an actor — how did you get into professional animal training?

A: When I graduated from berlin High School, I enrolled at Central Connecticut State University’s Theater Department. In the meantime, I wanted to observe professional actors. So I applied to be a technical apprentice at the goodspeed Opera House building sets. I was accepted in the summer of 1975. In the summer of 1976 I was asked back. That year they were doing the original production of Annie. They needed a trained dog. So was I offered my Actor’s equity card and a part in one of the shows IF I would find and train a dog for no money. looking to be economical, I went to a shelter to adopt one because I had been told there were “cheap” dogs there. I found the original Sandy for seven dollars and trained him like I had my dogs growing up. In December of 1976, mike Nichols office called saying they were producing the play for broadway and asked if I would be interested. Annie opened on broadway in 1977 and I became a professional animal trainer overnight.

Q: You’ve trained animals for tons of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater shows, as well as television and movies — any favorite experiences stand out?

A: every experience stands out. The gift to meet wonderful pets and genius people is unparalleled. Whether it is talking with Julia Roberts in our trailer on the set of Charlie Wilson’s War about her six rescue dogs, or going to family functions with Sarah Jessica Parker’s family for the last 30 years since she was Annie on broadway, or helping bernadette Peters wrangle pit bulls at her annual charity event bROADWAY bARKS, I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most wonderful people. And each day the animals teach me about courage, loyalty and forgiveness.

Q: Tell us about your new book, Broadway Tails. Why did you decide to write it?

1

Q&A with Legally Blonde The Musical animal trainer and Connecticut native, Bill Berloni

onnecticut native Bill Berloni is a professional animal trainer who has trained rescue animals for many Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater shows, as well as television and movies, including productions of Annie, Camelot, The Wizard of Oz, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The

Lieutenant of Inishmore and many more. He trained the dogs for both the Broadway and national tour productions of Legally Blonde the Musical, which ran at The Bushnell December 9-14 as part of The Hartford Financial Services Group Broadway Series.

Legally Blonde The Musical animal trainer and Connecticut native bill berloni answers our questions!

CA: Over the years, I have done lots of publicity for the

shows I was working on. but I was never able to tell the whole story. After the little girl who played Annie in the 20th Anniversary of Annie was fired, I went to bed very sad this child was going to miss the dog she had worked so hard with. I had a dream that night of a book called BROADWAY TAILS, with my original Sandy’s face on it. The book was to tell the real stories of what happens backstage with animals. like all good ideas, it stayed in my head for 10 years. Then after CbS aired a piece about me and Legally Blonde The Musical on “CbS Sunday morning,” an editor at globe Pequot Press right here in guilford, Connecticut called and asked if I would be interested in writing a book about my experiences. but instead of the dirt, I decided to write about the rescue aspect and the craziness the animals overcome to succeed. And 20% of my royalties go to the Sandy Fund at the Humane Society of New York.

Q: Tell us about the dogs we will see when Legally Blonde The Musical comes to The Bushnell, Frankie (the Chihuahua who plays Bruiser) and China (the Bulldog who plays Rufus).

A. There are not just two dogs, but four dogs. everybody has an understudy. Frankie the Chihuahua was found as a stray in meriden in the spring. He was taken in by a rescue group that brought him to the same vet I use for my animals. Dr. Robert Olson, of Pieper Olson Veterinary Hospital in middletown has been treating and helping me rescue animals for the last 20 years. I met Frankie, and while he was young, he was darned cute and friendly. His understudy, Roxie, was a stray in rural louisiana. We saw her photo on Petfinder.com and the group drove her all the way up to meet us. The same group had a bulldog named China they had rescued from a puppy mill situation. We met her and she was perfect. Her understudy, Nellie, is from the Humane Society of New York where I work.

being born and raised in Connecticut, The bushnell has always been the flagship for broadway touring shows. When the very first tour of Annie came to Hartford in 1979, I had an idea that Sandy should return to Connecticut a star in the theater that was close to the shelter where he was rescued. Not only did he open the tour, but governor ella grasso proclaimed it “Sandy Day” in the State of Connecticut in honor of homeless animals. So Frankie and China have some big collars to fill when they hit the stage in Legally Blonde The Musical.

o you know what “Porphyry” is? It’s a very hard rock, anciently quarried in

egypt, having a dark, purplish-red groundmass containing small crystals of feldspar.

Now, if you were on a stage, under hot lights, with a crowd watching you, could you spell it?

The winning team of the second annual Hartford education Foundation Community Spelling bee did. The greater Hartford Classical magnet gladiators was the last team standing at the bee, which took place at The learning Corridor on October 24 as a fundraiser for the Foundation’s Teacher grant Program. And while the members of The bushnell’s team — The bushnell bumbles — didn’t win, they had a great time.

“The Spelling bee was great! It was amazing how many different groups, from all around Hartford, came together in support of the event,” said bushnell Annual Fund Director and bushnell bumbles team member Stephanie mcmullon.

Prizes were awarded to the best Spelling Team, best Costumes, and most Team Spirit. There were 36 teams divided into six “swarms” from organizations and schools in the greater Hartford area. John motley of motleybeup Associates served as mC and “King of the Hive.”

“The bushnell was pleased to support a program that will directly impact the students in the Hartford schools by providing resources for programs and activities,” said education and Promenade gallery manager and bumbles team captain brenda lopez said.

bushnell Facilities Sales and Services Senior manager and bumbles team member Cathy Stephens loved seeing so many costumes. “It was great fun,” she said. “There were participants of all ages.”

Pat Salner of the Hartford education Foundation co-chaired the bee, and credits all of the volunteers that helped make it run so smoothly. “It was fun, there was enthusiasm, and it was contagious,” she said.

For more information on the Hartford education Foundation, visit www.thinkhartfordschools.org.

bushnell bumbles team members Cathy Stephens, brenda lopez and Stephanie mcmullon

longtime donors Rosa and Al Jarvis at Philan-thropy Day

bushnell supporters brenda and Jeffrey Kang at Philan-thropy Day

2

The Bushnell celebrates its supporters with Philanthropy Day

On October 16, The bushnell paid tribute to our legacy Society and all longtime supporters with bushnell Philanthropy Day. The legacy Society was created to honor those who have

chosen to enrich the future of the Hall through their estate plans. like bushnell founder Dotha bushnell Hillyer, the legacy Society members make a lasting gift which provides a legacy for the arts.

On bushnell Philanthropy Day, a new legacy Society Wall was unveiled in the second floor lobby of the belding Theater. This remarkable new tribute to The bushnell’s donors and history features four glass sandblasted panels, which are glowing by way of energy-efficient leD lighting, as well as images of some of the phenomenal talent that has made its way through our doors and on to our stages, including such luminaries as Paul Robeson and marlon brando. The back wall features the names of our legacy Society members as well as a portrait of Dotha bushnell Hillyer and an image of the original construction of The bushnell in 1929. In addition, an electronic display of archival photographs shows some of the rich history of our institution.

“In 1928 — 80 years to this very day — the cornerstone of The bushnell was laid, and in formal ceremonies, the project was dedicated as a memorial to a single great man, religious leader and civic visionary Horace bushnell,” bushnell executive Vice President Ronna Reynolds said during her remarks at Philanthropy Day. “Today, The bushnell stands as a living tribute to multiple legacies, to the many great actors and musicians who have performed on its ‘boards,’ to the thousands of generous donors who have enabled the Hall to survive and flourish for eight decades. On this occasion, we remember and honor them all.”

O D

What’s the buzz? The Bushnell Bumbles participate in Community Spelling Bee

’Tis the season of giving at The Bushnell

n October 3, Congress and the President renewed the charitable IRA rollover opportunity for 2008 and 2009 when they

signed the financial bailout bill. The rules are exactly as they were in 2006-2007. The bill legislates a $100,000 income tax exclusion opportunity per taxpayer, per year, through charitable gifts funded from Individual Retirement Accounts retroactive to January 2008 and expiring (unless renewed again) December 31, 2009. Taxpayers can take advantage of this re-opened access to their wealth for charitable purposes only if they meet strict age criteria and only if IRA administrators transfer funds directly to a 501(c)(3) before December 31, 2009. If you qualify, this is an economically advantageous way to make the charitable commitments you would like to make. Or, to fulfill the pledges you have made on an accelerated schedule.

If you have celebrated a 70th birthday prior to April 2008, or will celebrate your 70th birthday by July 30, 2009, you are eligible to transfer up to $100,000 tax-free from your IRA to the single, or the many, 501(c) (3)’s you believe in, benefit from, and support. If your spouse also owns an IRA, the exclusion can go as high as $200,000. Only in 2008 and 2009. Only at age 70½ or more.

A transfer from your IRA is easy to do. Simply ask your IRA administrator to write a check from your IRA to the charity you wish to support. At The bushnell, your gift can support artistic or education programs, special initiatives, capital needs or, simply but importantly, The bushnell’s endowment. While $100,000 may be the ceiling for this special tax treatment, signature gifts to The bushnell are welcome at any level.

Your financial advisor is essential to understanding the ways in which this opportunity may be impacted by Connecticut state taxation and who can offer the best counsel as to whether this giving option could be advantageous to you. If, after speaking with your advisor, you choose to make a gift or have any questions at all, please contact ellen Nattila, Senior major and Planned gifts Officer at ellen_nattila@bushnell.org or (860) 987-6071.

O

Support The Bushnell with a charitable IRA rollover

3

n 1930, when The bushnell first opened its doors to the community, America was in an unprecedented state of financial uncertainty.

Throughout the 1930s and the difficult years that followed, The bushnell acted as a beacon of hope for the community, providing a place for families to gather to be entertained, educated and to remove themselves — if only for a few hours — from the pressures of the everyday.

Challenging times are again upon us and The bushnell has the opportunity and responsibility to, once again, be that uplifting beacon for families and individuals in the greater Hartford community.

As a patron of the arts, you know first hand the magic of experiencing the thrill of broadway, the magnificence of classical music and the beauty of dance in a full theater. You appreciate the value that is derived from a community coming together for a positive shared experience that can take us beyond ourselves by enlightening, inspiring and engaging us.

Ticket sales and other earned income play an important role in supporting the day-to-day operations of The bushnell. However, as a not-for-profit performing arts center, over 55% of our operating budget comes from contributed revenue. Through the generosity of corporations, foundations and individual donors, we are able to ensure that the Hall sustains — even in these challenging times.

If you haven’t already made your tax-deductible gift to The bushnell’s Annual Fund I encourage you to do so today. It is as simple as going online to www.bushnell.org and clicking on our “Donate Now” button or calling our Annual Fund Director, Stephanie mcmullon at (860) 987-6083. Now, more than ever, your commitment to the arts and to the role The bushnell plays in our community is so important.

Thank you for helping to keep the lights bright here on Capitol Avenue

T

4

Notes from the Producer’s Desk

lephant Eye Theatrical (EET) and Five Cent Productions — of which The Bushnell is a leading partner — announced that its pre-Broadway out-of-town tryout of The Addams Family musical is set to open November 13, 2009 (Friday the 13th, appropriately) at the Ford Center for

the Performing Arts/Oriental Theater. The engagement will run through January 10, 2010. A Broadway run is planned for spring 2010.

EThe show had a star-studded first reading last summer with Tony Award winners Nathan lane as gomez and bebe Neuwirth as morticia. Cast has not been set for the Chicago run. This new musical, which is based on the characters, cartoons and sketches by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, has an impressive list of creatives, including Drama Desk Award winner Andrew lippa (music and lyrics), Jersey Boys librettists marshall brickman and Rick elice (book), Shockheaded Peter collaborators and Olivier Award winners Phelim mcDermott and Julian Crouch (director/designers).

In other eeT news, the successful Off-broadway run of the eeT-produced musical Saved was invaluable to the further development of the show. It is now being retooled and a reading of the updated version is set to take place in New York in December. Following the reading, a commercial run and subsequent tour is being explored.

The bushnell will put on its producer’s cap again with the hilarious comedy Greater Tuna which has been announced as the seventh show in The Hartford Financial Services group broadway Series, running may 26-31, 2009. This self-produced production of Greater Tuna follows the success of last season’s bushnell-produced The Music Man — A 50th Anniversary Tribute. Scott galbraith, Vice President of Programming for The bushnell, is executive Producer.

Greater Tuna is a hysterical, non-stop, social satire set in Texas’ third smallest town, where the lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by two uniquely talented performers, making this spoof on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the 21 inhabitants of Tuna — men, women, children and animals. This sidesplitting send-up of small town life is a “tour-de-farce” of costume quick-changes and comic characterizations. Greater Tuna enjoys strong Hartford roots, having received its touring start at Hartford Stage Company in 1982.

This season marks the third year for The bushnell’s literature to life Series, which is sponsored by Sbm Charitable Foundation, Inc. and features plays that are productions of The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life Arts education Program. However, with the April 6, 2009 performance of Warriors Don’t Cry, from the memoir by melba Pattillo beals, The bushnell will take on the role of producer, working with The American Place Theatre to

hire a director and actor, and bring this important story to the stage. One of the “little Rock Nine,” 16-year-old beals tells the story of violence and discrimination as she and eight other African-American students integrated Central High School in 1957.

“each literature to life selection contains a strong educational component. Warriors Don’t Cry is exceptional,” said bushnell education and Community Relations Assistant manager Zita Christian. “We’re grateful to American Place Theatre for their guidance as we take this next step.”

Poets Out loud second place winner Shacoya “Cherry” Harts, first place winner Roger bonair-Agard, and third place winner Cindy “Athena” mercer

The Bushnell is now on Facebook

S P O N S O R H I g H l I g H T

oets and fans of the genre filled the Autorino great Hall on the evening of November 12 for the Northeast Regional Showcase Slam hosted by The bushnell’s education department.

Twelve accomplished performance poets, some college students and some senior citizens were invited from all over New england and New York to compete for a thousand dollars in cash prizes. In language sometimes salty and always vivid, poets explored divergent topics. Among them: a mother’s addiction, a mother’s advice, the evils of slavery, the woes of car repairs, rocky romance, and feminine pride. All of the adult poets are either poetry teachers or mentors to student poets.

After three lively rounds of competition, three winners emerged. Roger bonair-Agard, a native of Trinidad and Tobago and a two-time national slam champion who has appeared on HbO’s “Def Poetry Jam” and “The macNeil/lehrer NewsHour” won $500. Shacoya “Cherry” Harts, who is a senior at Central Connecticut State University, won $300. She has performed as a member of the Connecticut national youth poetry slam team. Her poems frequently involve racial and social issues. Athena mercer, who entered the world of performance poetry in 2003 when she was 15, won $200. She is a member of the Windham Young Poets located in Willimantic.

The evening was emceed by elizabeth Thomas, a PARTNeRS teaching artist. elizabeth has competed in the national poetry slam and coaches Connecticut’s national youth poetry slam team.

P

Poetry comes alive at The Bushnell with the Northeast Regional Showcase Slam

5

ith the launch of The bushnell’s new Facebook page, we are now more global than ever. Founded in February 2004, Facebook is a social

utility that helps people communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and coworkers. The company develops technologies that facilitate the sharing of information through the social graph, the digital mapping of people’s real-world social connections. Anyone can sign up for Facebook and interact with the people they know in a trusted environment.

bushnell President and CeO David Fay welcomes the use of this new medium. ”We are thrilled to be joining the Facebook community, and embrace this new, 21st-century way of reaching performing arts fans around the globe,” he said. “We hope everyone becomes a Facebook ‘fan’ of The bushnell so they can see the latest news, show announcements, blog entries, videos and more — as well as take advantage of this very immediate way of letting us know what they think.”

Unlike the personal profiles on Facebook that have become so popular among teens, college students, and adults alike, Facebook pages like The bushnell’s are accessible to the general public, even if you do not have an account with the site. You can visit The bushnell on Facebook by going to www.bushnell.org and clicking on the “Find us on Facebook” icon located on the homepage. And if you have a Facebook account, show your support by becoming a fan! Simply log in, go to The bushnell’s page and click “become a fan” in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Then take the time to look around, comment, give your feedback, and ask questions. The Facebook page has created a unique opportunity to engage in the Hartford arts community like never before. Please stop by and visit us online.

W

6

Literature to Life and The Bushnell Children’s Theatre performances of Flight stimulate

Thought-provoking discussions

he November Literature to Life and Bushnell Children’s Theatre performances of Flight, from the gritty novel by Sherman Alexie, explored the world of a 15-year-old orphan, half-Irish and half-Native American, who, in his search for cultural identity, experiences and perpetuates violence, both in the present and in time travel experiences to the past.

TThe literature to life Series, sponsored by Sbm Charitable Foundation, features plays that are productions of The American Place Theatre’s literature to life Arts education Program, led by Artistic Director Wynn Handman and executive Director David Kener.

because of the violence and language in the book, The bushnell and The American Place Theatre grappled over whether or not to offer the adaptation. In the end, after considerable input from New York City teachers whose students had read the book, it was decided that while the book might be considered disturbing, the ultimate redemption of the acne-faced protagonist, “Zits,” makes Flight a valuable show for both adult and student audiences.

The literature to life performance included a pre-show lecture by lynne Williamson, director of the Hartford-based Institute for Community Research. Here is an excerpt from her presentation:

Alexie asks us to look beyond cultural stereotypes —Indians as drunks, or as noble savages. How important is this to us in Connecticut? Where only two of the five tribes are federally recognized and have casino wealth, where intermarriage over decades has taken place with many other ethnic groups, giving the native people of this state a wide range of looks far different from the Indian on the nickel.

Zits almost doesn’t make it, and there are undoubtedly thousands of people who don’t. We see everyday, sadly, how anger and loss and a cycle of pain are also passed down from generation to generation. The pattern only changes when someone reaches beyond the obvious — bad behavior, bad skin, or skin color — and sees you with respect, with humor, with the possibility of love. The pattern also changes when you are able to see yourself honestly and not through someone else’s eyes, when you draw from all those who came before you, and from all your parts, to find your unique nature. And then you tell someone your name.

While the bushnell Children’s Theatre student performance did not include Williamson’s presentation, the post-show Q&A session for both performances generated

lively discussions. like Williamson, actor Robert Spaulding is a mixed-blood person of Indian descent. Responding to questions from the adults, Spaulding talked about the value of fiction to bring truth to light, especially when the truth is painful. The student discussion centered on what contributed more to Zits’ eventual redemption: the change in his external circumstances or the change in his heart. Knowing Zits was only 15 years old, students had differing opinions on how long his redemption would last.

The bushnell looks for performances that can open eyes and generate discussion. Flight succeeded on both counts. The bushnell Children’s Theater is sponsored by Dominion and People’s United Community Foundation.

Actor Robert Spaulding, from Flight

7

his October, The bushnell received significant support for our ongoing energy efficiency initiatives from The Travelers Companies, Inc.

and The Associated Construction Company. These generous gifts will enable us to further energy efficiency and green energy projects that help The bushnell reduce consumption and lower our annual operating costs.

In 2007, The bushnell joined the US green building Council to reinforce our commitment to resource conservation and sustainable green building practices. Over the past few years, and with the help of the Hartford Foundation for Public giving, The bushnell has refined ongoing maintenance protocols, upgraded and replaced key equipment with more efficient models, and continues to make strategic efficiency improvements to critical building management systems while also exploring alternate energy sources. As a result of our efforts, The bushnell has reduced our overall utility consumption by approximately 25 percent over the last five years. Total costs avoided over that same period now reach nearly $2m, offering significant and ongoing savings in our operating budget.

With the help of dedicated local foundations and businesses such as the Hartford Foundation for Public giving, The Travelers Companies, Inc., the Associated Construction Company, and individual donors, The bushnell will continue to pursue significant energy efficiency improvements and investigate renewable energy options, including solar.

Would you like to make a donation to support The bushnell’s green energy initiatives? If so, please contact Vanessa giannasi at (860) 987-6009 or vgiannasi@bushnell.org for more information.

T

The Bushnell continues greening efforts

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

he bushnell is proud to once again welcome The Hartford Financial Services group as exclusive title sponsor of the 2008-2009 broadway Series.

This season, The Hartford Financial Services group broadway Series boasts some of the most sought-after broadway shows. The season kicked off with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and also features the Connecticut premieres of Legally Blonde The Musical, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, and a three-week engagement of Jersey Boys, as well as A Chorus Line and the bushnell-produced Greater Tuna.

David Fay, President and CeO of The bushnell said, “This is a big year of direct-from-broadway hits at The bushnell, and we are delighted that The Hartford has returned as exclusive sponsor of the broadway Series.

“The generous support we receive from The Hartford, in addition to that of all of our wonderful sponsors, allows us to remain true to our mission of being a ‘center for the benefit of the public,’” Fay continued. “We are proud of our 79 year history of being a place where the Hartford community can gather to be entertained and inspired.”

“We are very proud to be sponsoring the broadway Series for a second season,” said Connie Weaver, Senior Vice President of marketing and Communications at The Hartford. “The bushnell is a vital part of Hartford’s lively arts scene, and we are thrilled to partner with this leading cultural institution to bring another season of wonderful broadway shows to our city.”

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

The Hartford, one of the nation’s largest financial services companies, has been headquartered in the city of Hartford since its founding in 1810. The Hartford and its employee volunteers support education, arts and cultural organizations, and neighborhood revitalization efforts in the city of Hartford as well as in communities throughout the world. The Hartford’s Internet address is www.thehartford.com.

T

8

awn Peterson Jones, Director of Human Resources at The bushnell and President of The Human Resource Association of Central

CT (which is the largest Society of Human Resource management affiliate in the state), at an event given by HRACC and AeTNA in October called “How HR Delivers Value: The Next Agenda for HR” at the marriott Down-town in Hartford. She is introducing speaker David Ulrich, HR guru, author and professor of business at the University of michigan as well as a partner at the Rbl group, a consulting firm focused on helping organizations and leaders deliver value.

he bushnell’s Vice-President of education and Community Relations Yolande Spears with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

Nancy Pelosi at The World Affairs Council of Connecticut’s global Women’s Issues Forum at The Hartford Club in September. The bushnell co-sponsored this event with United Technologies. Pelosi recently published a book, “Know Your Power — A message to America’s Daughters.”

T

njoy a broadway-themed evening as you dine, dance and bid the night away all in support of our nationally-recognized, award-winning, arts-in-

education PARTNeRS® (Partners in Arts and education Revitalizing Schools ) program.

Join us as we escape to different times, different places in a celebration of the fantastic 2008-2009 bushnell broadway season. This is an evening and an opportunity that is not to be missed!

For tickets, tables and corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Stephanie mcmullon (860 987-6083 or by email at stephanie_mcmullon@bushnell.org.

E

llison Demers, Allan Camp and mike Stacy of lite 100.5 Fm broadcast live from The bushnell box Office when tickets to Jersey

Boys went on sale August 11. The first day of single ticket sales for Jersey Boys was the second-biggest to date, second only to Disney’s The Lion King. Jersey Boys is coming to The bushnell February 4-22, 2009 as part of The Hartford Financial Services group broadway Series

AD

9

VA word from our printer —

PERFORMER is good for the planet!

elocity Print Solutions is all about creating lasting impressions on the mind…not the planet.

It’s our planet, and finding new ways to help protect it is a major part of Velocity Print Solutions’ strategy. earth-friendly printing goes much deeper than paper — this is a culture change including paper, inks, recycling waste, alternative energy, as well as conserving resources and reducing waste. Sustainable resources, non-toxic inks, responsible recycling, are all a part of it. The FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification that Velocity Print Solutions has earned through the SmartWood program of the Rainforest Alliance ensures that the paper PERFORMER is printed on is sourced from well managed forests.

Reducing our carbon footprint will continue to be a major theme for Velocity Print Solutions’ ongoing business practices as they commit to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever and wherever possible. All of their locations have launched recycling initiatives for their office and production paper waste, aluminum plates, ink glass and plastic to name but a few. Velocity Print Solutions pledges to continue exploring new and innovative print technologies that make sure our business contributes to the making of a cleaner and greener world.

About the Forest Stewardship Council — FSC

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.

Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

Forests provide us with clean water, fresh air and they even help combat global warming. They also provide food, medicine and important natural resources, such as timber and paper. If managed responsibly, forests and plantations benefit forest people and the global community. However, in some countries as much as 80% of the timber is harvested illegally. This often involves violation of human rights and destruction of protected forests.

FSC certification offers forest managers rewards for managing their forests the FSC way — following the highest social and environmental criteria there are. In some instances rewards can be in the form of price premiums. but increasingly, FSC certification is rewarded with improved access to environmentally sensitive markets. Also, more and more governments and leading businesses specify FSC certified materials in their purchasing programs.

100% Wind Power

Wind Power powers Velocity Print Solutions’ presses, computers, lights and every piece of equipment that requires electricity. Velocity Print Solutions buys 100% Wind energy which offsets their electrical usage and significantly reduces the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. The environmental benefit is comparable to taking 177 cars off the road each year or planting 760 acres of trees.

9

Performer®

Winter 2009 Volume 10, Number 1

Performer is published twice a year for the subscribers, donors and friends of The bushnell, a non-profit organization.

editor: Amanda guay Communications manager (860) 987-6068 amanda_guay@bushnell.org

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts 166 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106-1621 www.bushnell.org

Contributing Photographers: brian Ambrose Photography Robert benson Photography Carrie Draghi Photography ben gancsos Joan marcus Valerie Sousa of Val Ray Photography

Design: linda goldsmith Design

T H A N K Y O U

A.C. Petersen FarmsA Special Place Advanced COPY TechnologiesAetna Inc.Allan S. goodman, Inc.The Associated Construction Companybank of Americabank of America FoundationJ. Walton bissell Foundation, Inc.blum Shapirobrown Rudnick, llPChubb group of Insurance CompaniesCitizens bankCitizens bank FoundationComcastConnecticut Commission on Culture & TourismDillon mailing and PrintingDominionedwards Angell Palmer & Dodge llPK. gregory elliot and Zarou manoukian elliot Scholarship for the Arts Fundensworth Charitable Foundation, bank of America, TrusteeFalcetti music, Inc.Fisher FoundationFoster’s Wine estates AmericasThe goodwin Hotelgrants Restaurantgreater Hartford Arts Councilgrunberg RealtyHaggett longobardi, A Division of J.H. Cohn, llCThe Hartford Courant FoundationThe Hartford Financial Services group, Inc.The Hearst Foundation, Inc.Hoffman lexusHoliday Inn expressHook and ladder RestaurantHot Tomato’sJ Restaurant/barKainen, escalera & mcHale, PClane and lenge

TCorporate and Foundation Supporters

lane Construction Corporationlincoln Financial Foundationlindsey limousine max Restaurant groupmcCarter & englishThe William and Alice mortensen FoundationNewAlliance FoundationNORDSTROmNortheast UtilitiesNorthland Investment CorporationPAC group llCPeople’s United Community FoundationPeppercorn’s grillThe Pepsi bottling groupPiccolo ArancioPlantations, Inc.ProParkRestaurant briccoRobinson and Cole llPCharles Nelson Robinson Fund, bank of America, TrusteeThe Savings bank life Insurance CompanySbm Charitable Foundation, Inc.Servusmichael and Janet Suisman Community Access Fund at Hartford Foundation for Public givingTD banknorthThe Travelers Companies, Inc.Travelers Connecticut FoundationUHY llPUnited Technologies CorporationVito’s by The ParkWachoviaWachovia FoundationWebster bankWillis HRH

The bushnell is supported in part by the National endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

he bushnell gratefully acknowledges the following funders for their support.

10

C R e D I T S