NORWALK, Conn. — The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts is bringing back its popular outdoor summer concert series, Broadway in the Park, for three Saturdays in August, offering a diverse and family-friendly experience at Mathews Park.
Held on August 16, 23, and 30, the event will have select tracks from popular musicals and movies like Frozen, Hamilton, Aladdin, and Wicked. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters, as “they might get meet and greets with the cast,” said Diana Muller, the Director of Marketing and Development at the Conservatory.
“It was really started as a celebration of the community, and the conservatory sees itself very much as a part of Norwalk, and this is a wonderful way to attract families to the park,” said Muller.
First launched in 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Conservatory’s first event, it has grown significantly.
What began with a “rinky-dink” stage that was quickly built, according to Daniel Loftus George, the President of the Conservatory, Broadway in the Park has now evolved into an event with upgraded production elements. Now there are character performers, partnerships with more vendors offering food and different services, and a “massive” stage.
“There’s bubbles and snow and confetti and a ton of massive production elements,” said George. “It should feel like you’re going to a major production, and it is that.”
Performances will be led by Conservatory students, who went through an audition process to be a part of the event.
“The kids that come to the Norwalk conservatory are just outstanding,” said Muller. “I was blown away when I first started hearing them singing.”
General admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children. There is a VIP option that features a dedicated seating area near the main stage as well as reserved parking. There is also a $250 Sponsorship Package that includes tickets for two adults and three children as well as additional perks such as front row seating, priority reserved parking, unlimited popcorn and drinks, themed merchandise and skipping the line for character performers’ meet and greet.
The Conservatory plans to engage a number of local businesses geared towards kids, like martial arts gyms and arts and crafts stores, to be a part of the event as vendors and sponsors. Wegman’s, which will be opening its first-ever location in Norwalk on July 23, has signed on as an official sponsor.
The event will run from 4 to 6 p.m., but according to Mueller, families are encouraged to attend from 3 p.m. for pre-show activities. All performances will be held rain or shine.
The series began as a way to provide a “multi-generational” experience and offer the community something “exciting” during the summer before school begins, according to George.
“It’s kind of turned into like a homecoming for the college,” he continued.
Muller said the Conservatory is hoping to make the event a permanent fixture in Norwalk and is exploring ways to expand the series beyond the city.
“We just had a meeting about expanding to other towns and trying to bring it regionally,” Muller continued. “We still think that there would be tremendous value and fun to be able to bring this, not only throughout Fairfield County, but even in Westchester or New Haven County or beyond in Connecticut.”
For more information, visit: www.thenorwalkconservatory.org/broadwayinthepark
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