Broadway at the Mansion December 11, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will present, Broadway at the Mansion, a concert hosted by Norwalk native and Broadway veteran, Raissa Katona Bennett. She will be joined by her friends, Broadway veterans and Fairfield county’s own, Jodi Stevens and Arbender Robinson, with Mark Janas as musical director for the evening.

This will be a memorable performance and multifaceted artistic experience where the guests will be treated to an eclectic blend of Standards, Pop, Classic Broadway and the newest generation of theatre songwriters as the Great American songbook resonates throughout the magnificent Rotunda known for its soaring vaulted ceilings and terrific acoustics.

Following the concert, guests will have an opportunity to visit the Period Rooms and view the award-winning holiday decorations as well as gather in the Mansion’s “Green Room” for delightful refreshments and the opportunity to meet the artists. All proceeds will benefit the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s educational and cultural programs. (Artists subject to change without notice.)

Purchase $125 Tickets >>


Raissa Katona Bennett appeared on Broadway as “Christine Daae” in Phantom Of The Opera, and in Chess, as a benefit for the Actor’s Fund.  Her Broadway First National Tours include: Cats, A Child’s Christmas In Wales and Parade, where she worked with the original creative team of director Harold Prince, choreographer Patricia Birch, author Alfred Uhry, and composer Jason Robert Brown.  Off-Broadway, Raissa created the roles of “Mother – Annie McGrath” in Water From The Moon and “Mother Hawkins” in Devil And The Deep, a musical retelling of “Treasure Island” with music by Air Supply’s Graham Russell. Regionally, she created the role of “Grace” in Saving Aimee, where she worked with the creative team: book by Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman. Raissa has soloed with many symphony orchestras including the Annapolis Chamber, Bridgeport, Erie and Rochester Symphonies, and was guest soloist at the estate of the legendary Cal Ripken, Jr. As a MAC and BISTRO award winning cabaret artist, Raissa has headlined at: Feinstein’s, Metropolitan Room, Iridium, The Laurie Beechman Theatre and Green Room 42. She has guest starred at: 54 Below, The Supper Club, Rainbow Room, 88’s, Don’t Tell Mama, Chita’s, The Algonquin, Radio City Music Hall and at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall and the Town Hall in the Mabel Mercer Cabaret Conventions. Locally she appeared as “Helen” in Fun Home and “Truvy” in Steel Magnolias, both at the Music Theatre of CT, and “Mrs. Potts” in Beauty And The Beast at Summer Theatre of New Canaan. On television, she has guest starred on Law And Order: SVU and Unsolved Mysteries. Raissa lives in her hometown of Norwalk, CT with her husband Dr. Garrett Bennett, a Facial Plastic and Sinus surgeon, and their 2 tiny rescue Chihuahuas, (and assorted foster dogs available for adoption!) Buddy and Chloe. www.raissakatonabennett.com


Jodi Stevens appeared on Broadway as “Lucy” in Jekyll and Hyde and created the role of “Pam” in Urban Cowboy.  Off Broadway, Jodi appeared as “Claire Strider” in Under Fire, as “Doris” in The Body Shop and as “Hildy Lincoln” in Eliot Ness in Cleveland. Jodi has played “Marlene Dietrich” in 3 separate shows: Noel Coward and Friends, Barry Manilow’s, Harmony and in Dietrich and ChevalierThe Musical. 2 favorite regional credits include playing “Lily St. Regis” in the 25th Anniversary Production of Annie directed by its creator Martin Charnin at the Goodspeed Opera House, and Love Letters, opposite her husband of 21 years, Scott Bryce. On television she has guest starred in: Younger, 27 East, Conviction, Central Park West, Sex in the City and most recently Law & Order, and co-starred in FBI Most Wanted. Since moving to Weston to raise a family, Jodi has racked up 7 Connecticut Drama Circle nominations, including the one-woman show, I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers, “Mazeppa” in Gypsy, “Masha” in Vanya, Sonya, Masha and Spike all at the Music Theatre of Connecticut, “Paulette” in Legally Blonde, “Velma Von Tussle” in Hairspray Summer Theatre of New Canaan and won Best Featured Actress in a Musical playing “Lina Lamont” in Singin’ in the Rain, all at the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. Jodi starred in the premier show at ACT of CT as “Tanya” in Mamma Mia. Solo recordings: GIRL TALK, Rodger’s and Leonhardt, Kurt Weill’s Centennial Celebration, and Johnny Mercer’s, DREAM. Jodi is the Founder and Director of SBEstudio, with 2 locations in Westport and Weston, where she works with aspiring actor/singers/public speakers. Jodi makes her home in Weston, CT, with her husband, actor Scott Bryce and their son, Jackson. www.sbestudio.com


Arbender Robinson made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning production of Hairspray. In the original cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, he covered the role of Prince Eric. He also appeared in the Broadway revivals of Hair and Ragtime. His other Broadway credits include: The Book of MormonThe Lion King, the original cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and the 2014 production of Les Miserables where he was the first African American ever to play “Marius” on Broadway. Arbender starred in the 2016 Broadway hit musical Shuffle Along alongside many Broadway Legends, including Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry. The show was directed by Tony Award Winner George C Wolfe and Choreographed by Savionne Glover. Arbender was a featured Vocalist with Royal Caribbean Cruises and an actor and vocalist for numerous Disney productions at Walt Disney World. He spent four years as a studio session Vocalist for the Disney Organization and can be heard in various parades and attractions worldwide. On television, he has appeared in: The Last O.G., Nurse Jackie, Little Voice, The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show and CBS Sunday Morning. As a teaching artist, Arbender has worked with many organizations around the country with a unique teaching style that’s accessible to all and works significantly at bringing art awareness to programs throughout the country while serving as a huge advocate for Autism awareness and research. Arbender makes his home in Stamford, CT. www.arbender.com


Mark Janas (musical director) is a nationally renowned pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. He music directed the world’s largest production of Hello Dolly! with Marilyn Maye in the title role. Later he conducted for Texas Opera Theatre, the Houston Symphony, and the 1st & 3rd National Tours of Les Miserables. As a protégé of Leonard Bernstein, he conducted his music in two International Bernstein Festivals and was assistant to Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestras. He is a multiple MAC and Bistro Award Winner for Musical Direction and is the music director for Broadway and Television star Len Cariou and film star, Kathleen Turner.  Mark has also accompanied Marilyn Maye, Betty Buckley, Liza Minnelli, Judy Kaye, Sandy Duncan, Neil Patrick Harris, Cheyenne Jackson, Karen Mason, Anthony Rapp, Lee Roy Reams, Liz Callaway, Julie Wilson and Raissa Katona Bennett, to name a few.