Josh Groban at Premier Theater: between Broadway, film, and symphonic sound
Josh Groban is coming to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino with the concert "Stage, Screen, and Symphony", a program that very precisely combines three parts of his career: pop and classical crossover repertoire, music connected with film, and his Broadway experience. The performance is scheduled for August 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM, and Groban will be joined by the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra.
That is an important detail for understanding this evening. Groban's concerts have for decades been associated with large orchestrations, piano, strings, and songs that require room for dynamic vocal transitions. Here, the symphony orchestra is not merely a background element but an important part of the concert format. Premier Theater has 4,000 seats, so the concert retains the scale of a major production, but without the enormous distance between the stage and much of the audience that is typical of stadium or the largest arena performances.
For audiences who have followed Groban since the albums "Closer", "Awake", or "Noël", this is an opportunity to hear his familiar repertoire in the context of the current phase of his career. For viewers who primarily know him from Broadway or through interpretations of film music, the concept of "Stage, Screen, and Symphony" is an even more direct entry into his musical world.
It is worth securing tickets in time.
Why "Stage, Screen, and Symphony" is different from a standard pop concert
Josh Groban has never simply belonged in a single genre category. His repertoire moves from pop ballads into musical theater, from film songs into classically shaped orchestration, and then returns to songs that over more than two decades have become his trademark.
The current format especially emphasizes precisely that breadth. In a conversation ahead of a recent concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Groban described the program as a journey through songs from the current album "CINEMATIC", material from the album "Stages", and music connected with his Broadway roles. That includes his work in "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812" and the more recent production of "Sweeney Todd".
However, the repertoire from a previous concert should not automatically be turned into a set list for Foxwoods. The program may change from city to city, and the complete song order for the performance at Premier Theater has not been announced. It is much more useful to view the tour title as a description of its musical architecture: stage, film, and symphony orchestra meet within the same program.
That suits Groban particularly well because his voice works best when an arrangement has enough room for gradual development. A quieter beginning can grow into a broad orchestral climax without the concert needing to rely on dance production or constant changes of visual effects. The focus remains on interpretation, melody, and the relationship between the voice and the orchestra.
"CINEMATIC" provides the current context for the concert
The most important new studio context is "CINEMATIC", an album released on May 8, 2026. It is a collection of 10 songs connected with film music, produced by Greg Wells, with recording taking place in Los Angeles and London.
The selection of titles clearly shows what interests Groban at this stage of his career. The album includes "As Time Goes By" from "Casablanca", "Skyfall", "Brucia La Terra" from "The Godfather", "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from "The Lion King", "When You Wish Upon A Star" from "Pinocchio", "Remember Me" from "Coco", "Moon River" from "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "Against All Odds", and "Stand By Me". Jennifer Hudson appears as a guest on his version of "Unchained Melody".
This is not an album built around the idea that familiar melodies need to be radically changed. The emphasis is on Groban's interpretation and a larger orchestral framework. That is precisely why "CINEMATIC" fits naturally into a concert with a symphony orchestra: much of the material already begins with songs in which melody, dynamics, and emotional development carry more weight than rhythmic production.
During the spring, Groban also released individual songs from the album, including "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", "As Time Goes By", and "Skyfall". This means the concert at Foxwoods is not arriving as a retrospective performance by an artist relying exclusively on old hits. It takes place only a few months after a new studio release, while that repertoire still represents his current creative phase.
From "You Raise Me Up" to Broadway
To the wider public, Groban is still most recognizable for songs such as "You Raise Me Up", "To Where You Are", "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)", and "Believe". His discography, however, covers considerably more than a few major ballads.
The 2015 album "Stages" was openly dedicated to musical theater repertoire, while his work on Broadway demonstrated that the theatrical part of his career was not merely a studio excursion. For his roles in "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812" and the revival of "Sweeney Todd", he received Tony Award nominations. This gives the title of the current concert program additional meaning: the word "Stage" refers to a real and important part of his performing biography.
For that reason, this concert is particularly interesting for audiences who rarely attend classical concerts but enjoy orchestral sound. At the same time, it can appeal to musical lovers for whom a traditional pop tour would not be the first choice. Groban sits precisely at the intersection of those audiences.
- Longtime fans get a concert that draws on multiple periods of his career.
- Film music lovers have the current album "CINEMATIC" as one of the program's main reference points.
- Musical audiences can expect Broadway to be an important part of the concept, without assuming specific songs in advance.
- Lovers of orchestral sound have an additional reason to attend because the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra has been confirmed for the evening.
Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra is not a random addition to the program
The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra has roots dating back to 1946 and has been part of the musical life of eastern Connecticut for decades. The orchestra has also included its performance with Josh Groban in its own summer program, making this evening a collaboration between an internationally known singer and an established orchestra from the area where the concert is taking place.
For the listener, the most important thing is the result of such a collaboration. Groban's songs often rely on long vocal phrases, layers of strings, and a gradual increase in intensity. When a full orchestral ensemble is behind him, compositions from film and theatrical repertoire can retain the breadth of arrangements that is difficult to reproduce with only a standard touring band.
That does not mean audiences should expect a classical symphony concert in which the audience is distant from the performer and the program is strictly divided into separate orchestral works. "Stage, Screen, and Symphony" remains a Josh Groban concert. The orchestra expands his sound and enables a natural transition between musical theater, film, and pop repertoire.
That combination is probably the biggest reason to choose this performance instead of waiting for some future, more conventional Groban tour.
Premier Theater: 4,000 seats and a clear concert space
Premier Theater is located inside the Foxwoods Resort Casino complex in Mashantucket, Connecticut, in an area that event calendars also frequently associate with Ledyard. The venue has 4,000 seats, and Foxwoods specifically highlights unobstructed views toward the stage.
For this type of music, the size of the venue has a practical advantage. The space is large enough to accommodate a full concert production and orchestra, yet remains noticeably more compact than large sports arenas. With a performer whose concert does not depend on constant movement across an enormous stage but instead on voice, orchestra, and interpretation, the feeling of visual connection with the stage may have more value than the sheer monumentality of the space.
Premier Theater is part of The Fox Tower zone of the complex. It is useful to know this before arriving because Foxwoods is a large resort with hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment facilities, and several parking garages. First-time visitors should not assume that getting from the entrance of the resort to their seat will take only a few minutes.
Tickets for this event are in demand.
Parking and arrival without unnecessary wandering
For Premier Theater, The Fox Tower is listed as the most practical parking option. Foxwoods has four covered garages with free self-parking, and The Fox Tower Garage is located next to the Fox Tower Hotel and is the closest to the part of the complex where Premier Theater is located.
For visitors arriving by car, this considerably simplifies the evening. Still, on the day of the concert it is reasonable to allow additional time for entering the complex, finding a parking space, walking to the venue, and security screening.
Useful to know:
- Premier Theater is located in The Fox Tower section of the complex.
- The Fox Tower Garage is the most logical choice when visiting Premier Theater.
- Self-parking in Foxwoods garages is free.
- The complex map also marks an Uber pickup point, bus lobby, and internal shuttle points.
- Bags are subject to inspection, and shopping bags and backpacks are not permitted at this event.
Visitors arriving from more distant cities by train or plane should arrange the final part of the journey to the resort in advance. Foxwoods is not a concert venue located next to a major city railway terminal. For international and other travelers without a car, it is more practical to organize transportation in advance than to try to arrange it immediately before the concert begins.
How early to arrive and what has not yet been announced
The start time is 8:00 PM. The door-opening time for this specific concert is not listed on the Foxwoods event page, so it should not be invented or assumed based on other concerts in the same venue.
Because of the size of the complex and bag inspections, arriving with a significant time buffer is a practical choice. This applies especially to visitors planning to have dinner at the resort or visiting Foxwoods for the first time and not yet familiar with the layout of The Fox Tower.
The exact duration of the concert is also not listed in Foxwoods information. Previous performances may provide a rough idea of the format of Groban's evenings, but they are not a guarantee for Foxwoods. The same applies to a possible intermission, song order, or additional guests.
Such caution is especially important on this tour. Recent programs show that Groban adjusts his choice of material to the orchestra and to the particular evening, and he himself has spoken about the large number of songs from which he chooses for "Stage, Screen, and Symphony". Therefore, lists from other cities can serve as an illustration of the musical direction, but not as a promise of what will be performed at Premier Theater.
Mashantucket and the surrounding area for visitors staying longer
Foxwoods is not just an isolated venue but a resort, so it is possible to organize an entire evening without moving the car again after parking. Within the complex are restaurants of different categories, hotels, shopping, and other facilities. Premier Theater, The Fox Tower Garage, and a number of dining options are all located within the same large complex.
For travelers combining the concert with a short stay in southeastern Connecticut, Mystic and New London are among the best-known nearby destinations. This makes it possible to combine the concert evening with Connecticut's coastal area without Foxwoods having to be the only destination of the trip.
The day of the concert itself, however, is not ideal for an overcrowded schedule. Groban's program begins in the evening, and arrival at the resort, parking, security screening, and finding the venue are simpler when the final part of the day is not planned down to the minute.
Who will find this evening most interesting
The clearest audience is longtime Josh Groban listeners who want to hear his voice in a full orchestral setting. However, "Stage, Screen, and Symphony" has a broader reach than a classic tour based only on the greatest hits.
The album "CINEMATIC" opens the door to film music lovers. "Stages" and his Broadway roles create a connection with musical theater audiences. Songs that have defined Groban's discography give the concert familiarity for those who have followed him since the beginning of his career.
The difference between listening to these songs on a recording and hearing them performed with an orchestra is also important. With Groban, much happens in the dynamics: the moment when the strings enter underneath the vocal, the shift from an almost chamber-like sound toward a full finale, or the way a familiar melody gains a different weight when backed by a large instrumental ensemble.
For that reason, this performance is not intended only for audiences who want to hear one specific hit. It is more appealing to those interested in the entire space between pop, film music, and theater.
Practical plan for the concert evening
Before setting out, it is useful to check the event information and entry rules again, especially permitted bags. If arriving by car, follow signs for The Fox Tower Garage. After parking, allow for walking through part of the resort and do not plan your arrival so that you reach the parking area immediately before 8:00 PM.
If you want to have dinner at Foxwoods, it is safer to do so early enough that the restaurant does not become a source of stress before the concert begins. The resort has a large number of facilities, but precisely because of that, the distance between individual parts of the complex can be greater than it first appears.
For audiences who want a completely spontaneous evening, the most important thing is to remember only three facts: the concert is at Premier Theater, the best parking area is The Fox Tower, and the start time is 8:00 PM. Everything else is better organized around those fixed points.
Ticket sales for this event are ongoing.
After Foxwoods, Groban continues the current series of "Stage, Screen, and Symphony" performances, while later in the year he will also return to Las Vegas with the program "GEMS". The Connecticut concert therefore comes at an interesting transitional moment: after the release of "CINEMATIC", in the middle of the summer symphonic program, and before the autumn part of his concert year.
For the audience at Premier Theater, however, what matters most will be what happens between the orchestra's first entrance and the final song of the evening: Groban's recognizable baritone, a repertoire that can naturally move from film to Broadway and back again, and the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra as an integral part of the sound of this particular performance.
Sources:
- Foxwoods Resort Casino - concert date and time, Premier Theater, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, location in The Fox Tower, bag rules, parking, and venue capacity
- JoshGroban.com - current tour schedule, discography, and information about the album "CINEMATIC"
- Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra - participation in the Foxwoods concert and the orchestra's history
- Warner Records - content and track listing of the album "CINEMATIC"
- Times Union - Groban's description of the "Stage, Screen, and Symphony" concept and the repertoire direction of the current symphonic performances