Westport Country Playhouse

Press Release

9/15/08 - Celebrities Offer Unique Auction Experiences to Support Playhouse

Celebrities Offer Unique Auction Experiences to Support Westport Country Playhouse
Award-winning actors Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Lithgow and other celebrities will offer one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences in a silent auction to benefit Westport Country Playhouse at the historic Westport, Connecticut theatre’s annual fundraising gala on Monday, September 15. In addition to celebri... MORE

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9/15/08 - More Broadway Talents Added - Gala

More Broadway Talents Added to Gala Roster at Westport Country Playhouse
Broadway talents Tituss Burgess (“The Little Mermaid”), Kerry Butler (“Xanadu”), Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”), Nedra McClyde, Julia Murney, Q. Smith and Aurelia Williams will join previously announced Laura Benanti (“Gypsy”), Raúl Esparza (“Company”) and Steven Pasquale (“The Light in the Piazza”) ... MORE

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8/25/08 - Additional Actors Join Marisa Tomei in Play Reading

Broadway, Film and TV Actors Join Marisa Tomei in Joanne Woodward-directed Reading of “Golden Boy” at Westport Country Playhouse
Broadway and film actor Ned Eisenberg, Tony Award winner Dick Latessa, Emmy nominee Richard Masur and others will join previously announced Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei to read the classic play “Golden Boy,” written by Clifford Ode... MORE

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8/25/08 - Marisa Tomei in Joanne Woodward-directed Reading

Marisa Tomei in Joanne Woodward-directed Reading of Clifford Odets’ “Golden Boy”
at Westport Country Playhouse
Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei and other actors to be announced will read the classic play “Golden Boy” written by Clifford Odets and directed by Joanne Woodward, on Monday, August 25, 7 p.m., at Westport Country Playhouse. The reading is part of “The Classical ... MORE

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10/7/08 - "Fall in the House" Children's Classes

Westport Country Playhouse Presents “Fall in the House” Programs for Children
Westport Country Playhouse will offer “Fall in the House,” creative programs conducted by the Playhouse’s education department, October 7 through November 22.
“Fall in the House” is supported, in part, by the White Barn Program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation. Classes will be located in the Sh... MORE

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8/5/08 - Romantic Thriller 'Tryst'

Westport Country Playhouse will stage a romantic thriller set in Edwardian London, “Tryst” by Karoline Leach, August 5 - 23.

Joe Brancato, who helmed the Off-Broadway production, will direct. The cast features the return to the Playhouse of Mark Shanahan, who appeared in previous Playhouse productions of “Sedition,” “David Copperfield” and “Journey’s End,” and is cur... MORE

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9/7/08 - Emilio and the Enchanted Cow

Westport Country Playhouse will present puppets and music in “Emilio and the Enchanted Cow,” a Marionetas de la Esquina production, on Sunday, September 7, 1 and 4 p.m., as part of the Playhouse’s “Family Festivities” series. The show is for ages five and up; running time is approximately one-hour. Birthday party facilities may be scheduled in advance. Pre-show activity, beginning one h... MORE

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8/5/08 - Taste of Tuesdays - Tryst

Westport Country Playhouse will present “A Taste of Tuesdays,” on Tuesday, August 5, featuring pre-show wine, appetizers and live music, followed by a romantic thriller, “Tryst,” all for the special ticket price of $25.
The first “A Taste of Tuesdays,” launched in April, attracted more than 200 people, with similar successes in May and June.
The evening will start at 7 p.m.... MORE

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8/10/08 - "Tryst" Playwright and Director at Sunday Symposium

“Tryst” Playwright and Director at Westport Country Playhouse Symposium
Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium with Karoline Leach, playwright of the romantic thriller “Tryst,” and Joe Brancato, director of the Playhouse production, following the Sunday, August 10, 3 p.m. matinee performance. MORE

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9/15/08 - More Stars Added to Gala Roster - Gala: Footlights & Film

More Stars Added to Gala Roster at
Westport Country Playhouse
Laura Benanti, Raúl Esparza, Angela Lansbury, Steven Pasquale and Bernadette Peters have been added to the roster of stars on stage at Westport Country Playhouse’s annual gala in Westport, CT on Monday, September 15. As previously announced, Julia Roberts will host the fundraising event.
The evening’s entertainment... MORE

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7/13/08 - Sunday Symposium on "Workplace Romance"

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium on “The Politics of the Workplace Romance” following the Sunday, July 13, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the office comedy “Scramble!” by David Wiltse, Westport Country Playhouse playwright-in-residence.

Sunday Symposium speakers will be Jeffrey Alexander, Yale University professor of sociology, and Ruth Houston, infideli... MORE

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7/27/08 - "Cinderella's Mice"

Westport Country Playhouse will present the musical, “Cinderella’s Mice,” a Vital Theatre production, on Sunday, July 27, 1 and 4 p.m., as part of its “Family Festivities” series.
“Cinderella’s Mice” is an enchanting story with music about Spencer, a little mouse with big dreams of attending the Royal Ball---just like his friend Cinderella.... MORE

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7/14/08 - Woodward and Keefe Take the Stage in Reading

Westport Country Playhouse announced that Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors of Westport Country Playhouse, will play Abby and Martha Brewster, respectively, in a reading of the comedy classic, “Arsenic and Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring, on Monday, July 14, 7 p.m. John Tillinger will direct. The play reading is part of the Playhouse's “Funny Mondays” series, showcasing bo... MORE

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7/9/08 - Young Professionals Night

Westport Country Playhouse will present “Mid-Week Mingle,” a Young Professionals Night, on Wednesday, July 9. Tickets for “Mid-Week Mingle,” including a pre-show party and admission to a performance of a comedy exploring the insanities of office politics, are $30 per person or $50 for two. MORE

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7/9/08 - Comedy "Scramble!" at Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse Presents “Tour de Farce” Office Comedy
Westport Country Playhouse announces playwright-in-residence David Wiltse’s “tour de farce” office comedy, “Scramble!, will be staged July 9 through 26.

It is a normal day in the offices of a local golf magazine until a rumor that their pu... MORE

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6/29/08 - Hot 'n Cole Extended

Westport Country Playhouse announced that due to the exceptional ticket demand for “Hot ‘n Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration,” one extra performance has been added on Sunday, June 29, at 3 p.m. MORE

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6/10/08 - A Taste of Tuesdays

Westport Country Playhouse will present “A Taste of Tuesdays,” on Tuesday, June 10, featuring pre-show wine, appetizers and live music, followed by a song and dance revue, “Hot ‘n Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration!,” directed by two-time Tony Award-winner James Naughton, all for the special ticket price of $25. MORE

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6/15/08 - Sunday Symposium on Cole Porter

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium on “The Life and Times of Cole Porter” following the Sunday, June 15, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the musical “Hot ‘n Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration!” Sunday Symposium speakers will be Gail Miller Armondino, musicologist and soprano, and Shirley Kaplan, playwright, director and designer. MORE

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6/23/08 - Edward Albee and Kathleen Turner in "Conversation"

Westport Country Playhouse and Westport Arts Center will co-present two award-winning legends - playwright Edward Albee and film and theatre actor Kathleen Turner in “Artists in Conversation,” a casual, intimate talk between two theatre professionals who also happen to be good friends, on Monday, June 23, 8 p.m., at the Playhouse. MORE

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5/23/08 - Newman Steps Down as Director of "Of Mice and Men"

Westport Country Playhouse announced that distinguished actor and director Paul Newman, who was slated to direct the fall production, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, will step down from making his directorial debut at the Playhouse due to health issues. Tony Award-nominated director Mark Lamos will take the helm in Newman’s place. MORE

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6/16/08 - Classical Series Launched

Westport Country Playhouse will launch “The Classical Series,” bringing together professional actors to read works by master playwrights. The series premiere will feature Emmy Award winner Jane Curtin, Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason, Obie Award winner Kristine Nielsen and stage, film and television actor Chris Sarandon. They will read one of Noel Coward’s most popular and delightful comed... MORE

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6/10/08 - Summer Kicks Off!

Musical, Comedy and Thriller on Stage in June, July and August: Playhouse Kicks off Summer! Westport Country Playhouse announces its summer roster of shows, featuring Tony Award winner James Naughton directing a Cole Porter musical revue; “Saturday Night Live’s” Rachel Dratch appearing in David Wiltse’s “tour de farce” office comedy; and Playhouse favorite Mark Shanahan (“Sedition,... MORE

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9/15/08 - Julia Roberts Hosts WCP Gala

Julia Roberts will host the annual gala for Westport Country Playhouse on Monday, September 15. The evening’s entertainment, “Footlights and Film: A Celebration of the Great Musicals from Stage and Screen,” will feature star-studded performances by talents to be announced and honor Bob and Suzanne Wright. Gala chairs are Westporters Laurie Lister and Judd Burstein, and Sharon Sullivan and... MORE

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5/18/08 Sunday Symposium - "The Pavilion"

A Sunday Symposium on “The Role of Media and Theatre: Creating the Social Environment of Our Lives” will follow the Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. matinee performance of “The Pavilion.” MORE

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5/13/08 - "A Taste of Tuesdays" - "The Pavilion"

“A Taste of Tuesdays,” on Tuesday, May 13, will feature pre-show wine, appetizers and live music, followed by a preview performance of "The Pavilion," all for the special ticket price of $25. MORE

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5/13/08 - "The Pavilion"

Westport Country Playhouse Presents Comedy/Drama by Emmy-nominated Writer/Producer of “Lost” and “Six Feet Under” MORE

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5/19/08 - Selected Shorts

Campbell Scott, Isaiah Sheffer and B. D. Wong Read Short Stories at
“Selected Shorts” Performance at Westport Country Playhouse MORE

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4/12/08 - "Thurgood" Heads to Broadway

Westport Country Playhouse has announced that its name will be shining once again on Broadway. The play, “Thurgood,” which originated at Westport Country Playhouse in 2006, will begin previews on April 12 for an April 30 opening at Broadway’s Booth Theatre. Ostar Productions will produce the limited engagement of "Thurgood" in association with Westport Country Playhouse through August 3rd. MORE

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5/4/08 - "Harry the Dirty Dog"

Westport Country Playhouse will present “Harry the Dirty Dog,” an ArtsPower production, on Sunday, May 4, 1 and 4 p.m., as part of its “Family Festivities” series. MORE

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1/13/08 - Katie Couric's "Brand New Kid"

Westport Country Playhouse will present the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour’s production of Katie Couric’s “The Brand New Kid,” a heartwarming new musical adapted from the popular children’s book by one of America’s favorite television personalities, on Sunday, January 13, 1 and 4 p.m. MORE

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1/15/08 - Selected Shorts

Golden Globe Award and five-time Emmy nominee Jill Eikenberry, two-time Tony Award-winner Frances Sternhagen and Broadway actress Myra Lucretia Taylor will read short stories at ‘Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story,’ the live performance version of the renowned public radio show of the same name, on Tuesday, January 15, 8 p.m., at Westport Country Playhouse. MORE

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1/2/08 - Artistic Transition

Westport Country Playhouse announces the return of Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe as co-artistic directors. The pair will provide interim artistic leadership of the Playhouse during the 2008 Season. This change is the result of the departure of Tazewell Thompson as artistic director, effective January 2, 2008. MORE

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1/4/08 - New Board Members

Westport Country Playhouse has announced newly elected members to its board of trustees. MORE

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2/5/08 - Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Bootcamp

Westport Country Playhouse will present Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Legal and Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals™ on Tuesday, February 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Playhouse. MORE

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1/18/08 - Theatre Access Fund

Westport Country Playhouse’s Theatre Access Fund offers organizations, with economic or social circumstances limiting their ability to attend theatre, the opportunity to see Playhouse productions at a subsidized price. MORE

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2/4/08 - 2008 Season Announced

Newman To Direct Drama in Autumn;
“The West Wing’s” Timothy Busfield To Star in Comedy;
Audience Favorites To Reunite in Spring Comedy:
Co-Artistic Directors Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe Announce Revisions in Westport Country Playhouse 2008 Season MORE

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2/26/08 - "Vigil" Opens 78th Season

Westport Country Playhouse has announced that Emmy Award winner Timothy Busfield and Drama Desk Lifetime Achievement Award and Obie Award winner Helen Stenborg will open the Playhouse’s 78th season in the dark comedy “Vigil” by Morris Panych. MORE

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3/2/08 - "Vigil" Symposium

A Sunday Symposium on “The Aging of America,” follows the March 2, 3 p.m. matinee performance of “Vigil,” a heartwarming comedy about a self-obsessed nephew summoned to the deathbed of his aunt to whom he hasn’t spoken in 30 years. MORE

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2/27/08 - Young Professionals Night

Westport Country Playhouse will present “Mid-Week Mingle,” its first Young Professionals Night, on Wednesday, February 27. MORE

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3/16/08 - "James and the Giant Peach"

Westport Country Playhouse presents Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach,” on Sunday, March 16, 1 and 4 p.m., as part of its “Family Festivities” series. MORE

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3/24/08 - PlayClub

Westport Country Playhouse and Westport Public Library jointly announce the second season of their collaboration, the PlayClub, an opportunity for the community to read and discuss several of the plays prior to their being staged at the Playhouse during the 2008 season. MORE

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3/18/08 - Selected Shorts

Sonia Manzano, Bernadette Quigley and Isaiah Sheffer will read short stories at ‘Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story,’ the live performance version of the renowned public radio show of the same name, on Tuesday, March 18, 8 p.m., at Westport Country Playhouse. MORE

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4/1/08 - "Time of My Life"

Westport Country Playhouse stages the delicious comedy “Time of My Life” by Alan Ayckbourn, reuniting author, director and cast members from one of last season’s biggest hits, “Relatively Speaking.” Directed by John Tillinger, the comedy is set for April 1 – 26. MORE

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4/6/08 - Sunday Symposium - "Time of My Life"

A Sunday Symposium on “The Changing Views of Marriage” follows the Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m. matinee performance of “Time of My Life,” a comedy by Alan Ayckbourn about three couples in various stages of marriage. MORE

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7/7/08 - "Summer in the House" Camp

Westport Country Playhouse will launch a new, three-week long summer camp program called “Summer in the House,” for students grades two through five, July 7 through 25, through the Playhouse’s education department. MORE

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6/10/08 - James Naughton to Direct Cole Porter Revue

Tony Award-winner, film star and Weston resident James Naughton will direct the lively song and dance revue, “Hot ‘n Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration!”, playing June 10 - 28. MORE

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4/1/08 - "A Taste of Tuesdays"

“A Taste of Tuesdays,” on Tuesday, April 1, featuring a pre-show tasting of wines and appetizers, followed by a performance of the delicious comedy, “Time of My Life.” MORE