Our Shows

15 original productions inspired by the culture and history of New Haven. Every show connects to a real moment in our city's past.

Family Business
2025 · Next Door Pizza

Family Business: (A)Pizza Play

In ABUT's 15th original production, we join four generations of the Carbonizatto family as they grapple with family, tradition, and legacy in their pizza shop.

Inspired by: 1925 — Frank Pepe's Opens
A Slice
2024 · Next Door Pizza

A Slice

Inspired by the real stories of New Haven apizza pioneers, A Slice follows the Carbonizatto family's pizza shop from its immigrant beginnings.

Inspired by: 1925 — Frank Pepe's Opens
Where the Rubber Met the Road
2023 · Aquila Motors

Where the Rubber Met the Road

A story of two family legacies hitting rock-bottom and bouncing back. Inspired by innovations surrounding the paving of Whalley Avenue in 1857.

Inspired by: 1857 — Whalley Avenue Paved
Exchange
2017 · Various locations

Exchange

An interactive theatrical experience taking place in different locations across New Haven. One part story gathering, one part performance piece.

Inspired by: 1878 — First Telephone Exchange
Seen Change!
2015 · Shubert Theatre

Seen Change!

Calamity and chaos abound in this original musical paying homage to theater and celebrating 100 years of the Shubert New Haven.

Inspired by: 1914 — Shubert Theatre Opens
Made of New Haven
2016 · Erector Square

Made of New Haven

A grassroots gala featuring original stories and songs from all ten Broken Umbrella shows, celebrating seven years of New Haven-inspired theatre.

Inspired by: 1638 — New Haven Founded
Gilbert the Great
2014 · Erector Square, Fair Haven

Gilbert the Great

Leap into the technicolor world of New Haven icon A.C. Gilbert and his most famous invention, the Erector Set.

Inspired by: 1913 — A.C. Gilbert & the Erector Set
Freewheelers
2013 · Chapel Street Warehouse

Freewheelers

The invention of the bicycle and the industrialization of the corset collide, setting in motion an unlikely friendship.

Inspired by: 1865 — Bicycle Invented Nearby
The Library Project
2012 · New Haven Free Public Library

The Library Project

An after-hours, choose-your-own-adventure style theatrical experience celebrating 125 years of the NHFPL.

Inspired by: 1888 — Free Public Library Opens
Head Over Wheels
2012 · Edgewood Park

Head Over Wheels

Inspired by the moment Pierre Lallement took the very first recorded "header" over the handlebars of his bicycle.

Inspired by: 1865 — Bicycle Invented Nearby
Play With Matches
2011 · 446A Blake Street, Westville

Play With Matches

The story of quirky New Haven inventor Ebenezer Beecher, who ignited a spark with his automated matchstick machine.

Inspired by: 1852 — Ebenezer Beecher's Match Factory
iMarvel
2010 · Edgewood Park

iMarvel

A rag-tag team of dream makers takes audiences on a journey into the land of the original virtual destination.

Inspired by: 1862 — Donald Grant Mitchell's Edgewood
VaudeVillain
2010 · The Showroom at Lyric Hall

VaudeVillain

Ripped from the actual New Haven headlines of 1913, mystery and mayhem abound as we follow the trail of the suspected murderer.

Inspired by: 1913 — New Haven Headlines
Short Story by a Tree
2009 · Edgewood Park, ArtWalk

Short Story by a Tree

In some ways, this is where it all began… In New Haven's Edgewood Park, at the annual ArtWalk, with an original story, spectacle, and songs.

Inspired by: 1889 — Edgewood Park Created
Thunderbolt
2009 · Edgewood Park tunnel

Thunderbolt

Walk with us into the tunnel under Edgewood Avenue to witness the tragic events that unfolded almost 200 years ago in Westville.

Inspired by: 1810 — Westville's Hidden Past