CT Culture Corner: Meryl Streep supports Arts Connected benefit

Meryl Streep has to be congratulating herself on her moxie. 

The Oscar-winner was disinclined to act in “The Devil Wears Prada II,” until she realized the producers needed her — so she asked for double her salary, she told Jenna Bush Hager on “Today With Jenna & Sheinelle”  

“I read the script — the script was great. They called me up and they made an offer, and I said ‘No. I’m not going to do it.’” Streep said, saying she figured the movie would be successful. “I wanted to see if I doubled my ask, and they went right away and said, ‘Sure.’”

The movie became a major box office hit, finishing its theatrical run with roughly $690.8 million worldwide on a production budget of $100 million, according to Variety.

Streep, who has a home in Salisbury, has lent her support to environmental, arts and healthcare issues in Litchfield County.

That extends to the annual “Arts Connected” benefit in New Milford on Aug. 29.

Streep is among the honorary host committee members lending their names in support of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council’s efforts to support and uplift the region’s arts community, according to a news release. Additional celebrities supporting the cause are Tim Daly, Téa Leoni, Diane von Furstenberg, Patti LuPone, Jack O’Brien, Sam Waterston and Paul Winter, according to the release.

This year’s “Arts Connected” will take place at Buck’s Rock Camp in New Milford from 5 to 8 p.m. It will feature live performances from the internationally renowned dance group MOMIX, jazz duo Perfect Manhattan, roaming puppeteers, an African drum circle, fire spinning and live painters with Plein Air Litchfield, according to the release. 

Was “The Sopranos” really the best TV series of all time?

The Palace Theater in Waterbury will give audience members a chance to discuss this among themselves in February 2027 when it presents “A Night with the Cast of The Sopranos,” starring four cast members and an emcee from the cast of the show on Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

The show includes host Matt Servitto, who played Agent Harris; Jason Cerbone, who played Jackie Aprile Jr.; Dan Grimaldi, who played the twins Patsy and Philly Parisi; and Robert Funaro, who played Eugene Pontecorvo in the HBO series. A surprise mystery guest from the cast also will make an appearance, according to a news release.

In the production, cast members will sit at tables covered with the red-and-white checkered tablecloths in front of a backdrop of Satriale’s Pork Store, a frequent setting in the series, according to the release. The actors will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the show, adding clips, discussion about episodes, personal stories, interactions with fellow actors and a Q&A session with audience members, according to the release.

“The Sopranos” creator David Chase was debating whether to give another actor the role of Tony Soprano but ultimately decided on James Gandolfini. Who else was Chase considering?

On Aug. 29, the UnGroup Society will present its 13th annual Spirit of Unity Festival at Silas Bronson Library Park in Waterbury.

The Soufest starts at noon and runs through 10:30 a.m., and typically draws about 2,000 people, according to a news release. This year’s festival will feature national recording artists Glenn Jones and Cherrelle, along with local artists and entertainment. The free celebration will feature local vendors, food, family activities, community organizations and resources for residents, according to the release.

The UnGroup Society is a grass-roots organization that tries to “strengthen families, empower young people, celebrate culture and create opportunities for meaningful community connection,” according to the release.

“Soufest is where all of that work comes together,” Warren Leach, executive director of The UnGroup Society, said in a release. “We spend the entire year creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, heal, connect and build community. Soufest gives us an opportunity to celebrate that work together — with music, culture, food, family and the people who make Waterbury special.”

Meanwhile, Hartford’s Bushnell is bringing performer/magician Carisa Hendrix in “Lucy Darling: You’re Welcome” on Nov. 6 for two performances. 

Hendrix brings her “charming socialite and cocktail enthusiast” persona to the stage in a “touring variety show featuring her razor-sharp wit, unquestionable advice, skillful magic and delightful friends,” according to a news release. 

She will be accompanied on piano, melodica and other instruments by the “delightfully eccentric” Mark Ettinger (musician, composer, and juggler with the Flying Karamazov Brothers). “This charming duo’s playful banter and effortless chemistry dazzles and enchants audiences everywhere they go,” according to the release.

David Chase debated casting Steven Van Zandt as Tony. Instead, he cast Van Zandt as Silvio, according to Esquire.