Theater enthusiasts around this region know all about the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, and its conferences and programs focusing on plays, musicals, puppetry, and cabaret.

But the O’Neill also has a long-running conference for arts writers and critics. Chris Jones, who is theater critic for the Chicago Tribune, became the director of the O’Neill’s National Critics Institute in 2014. He’ll talk about his new book, “Rise Up! Broadway and American Society from Angels in America to Hamilton,” and important productions from the past quarter-century on Saturday at the La Grua Center in Stonington.

For the session, Jones will be in conversation with Tom Viertel, who is a renowned Broadway producer and is board chairman at the O’Neill.

It’s part of the “Behind the Curtain Series” and is co-presented by La Grua and Bank Square Books. 

Theater critic Chris Jones, 5 p.m. Saturday, La Grua Center, 32 Water St., Stonington; suggested donation $5; books will be available for signing and sale; (860) 535-2300.