One of the great advantages of being in New Haven is that you don't have to drive all the way to New York City to see a Broadway quality performance; after all, the Shubert holds the title, "Birthplace of the Nation's Greatest Hits." Many, many hits premiered at the Shubert before moving on to Broadway, including Streetcar Named Desire (with Marlon Brando), Oklahoma and My Fair Lady. The theater closed for a few years but has reopened and is once again the heartbeat of the region's cultural life, featuring the best of dance, opera, family productions and cabaret. The backstage tour of this architectural gem, built in 1914, is another highlight not to miss.
• Hours: See their website for event times