In the fall of 2015, Staples Players staged another classic musical: “Fiddler on the Roof.”
It’s a challenging show: heavy themes, complex music, foreign cultures and accents.
As they always do, directors David Roth and Kerry Long’s high school troupes rose to the occasion.
And surpassed it.
Media instructor Jim Honeycutt taped the production. As he does each week now, he edited the 2 casts into 1 highlight reel. Click here or below to enjoy this great “tradition.”
Many cast members have gone on to great things, on and off the stage. Among them:
Jacob Leaf(Tevye) is a professional actor. He has appeared in “Mamma Mia!,” “Gypsy,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Eurydice” and more.
Julia Mandelbaum (Tzeitel) graduated from Rider University. She performed professionally in “Evita,” “Singing in the Rain,” and more.
Caroline Didelot (Hodel) appeared in “Kinky Boots” at Baldwin Wallace University, “42nd Street” at New London Barn Playhouse, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” for Prime Video.
Zoe Samuels (Yente, the Matchmaker) is an associate strategy director at Edelman. She graduated with a degree in theater and Chinese from Middlebury College.
Jimmy Ray Stagg (Lazar Wolf, the butcher) is a sketch writer and performer associated with The Second City. He also performs with the independent comedy group Penny For Your Intrusive Thoughts.
Wellington Baumann (Mordcha, the innkeeper) is a litigation associate at Fried Frank in New York City. focusing on white collar criminal defense, commercial disputes and real estate litigation. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Washington & Lee University School of Law.
Keanan Pucci (Appa) graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, contributing to virtual production pipelines and visual development for projects like Netflix’s “Escape from Hat.” His film credits include “An Inconsistent Story in Stealing. Click here for a showcase of his interactive and 3D work.
Christian Melhuish (Appa) is a singer, actor and dancer in New York. After graduating from Temple University with a BFA in musical theater, Christian has performed regionally around the country. Credits include Jesus (“Godspell”), Romeo (“Romeo & Juliet”) and Bob Gaudio (“Jersey Boys”). He has also performed Off-Broadway and in cabarets and staged readings.
Mackenzie Lavoie(Shandel, Motel’s mother) earned a bachelor of science in arts administration, combined arts and a minor in film and media studies at Wagner College. She is a communications and PR professional specializing in strategic storytelling, media relations and brand positioning.
Mikayla Czizik(Etil) is a New York-based actor, singer and dancer. She graduated with a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch and the Atlantic Acting School. She played Ash in her UK and Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut.
Avery Mendillo(Samara) is a New York-based actor and singer, with roots in musical theatre and a growing career in film and TV. She recently filmed her first feature film.
Remy Laifer (Motel Kamzoil, Yosef) s a New York-based actor and musician. A graduate of Northwestern University’s theatre program, he has appeared on television in NBC’s “New Amsterdam.” His film work includes “Escape from Myrtle Broadway” and “3 Worlds, 1 Modern Romance.”
Nick Ribolla(Perchick, the student)
Daniel Pauker (Mendel, the Rabbi’s son, Mandel) is a technical animator. He has a passion for 3D software and systems.
Chad Celini (Arlin) is an American actor and performer who works in regional theater and independent productions. He has appeared in “Godspell,” “Curtains” and holiday musical revues, and on screen in the 2025 film “Game Over.”
Colin McKechnie (Soloman) s part of the premiere of Dance With Us with DGDC. He graduated from Ithaca College g with a BFA in acting, and a minor in dance. A stage and screen actor, he is playing Tony in the film adaption of Stephen King’s “I Know What You Need.”
Nick Rossi(Shmuel) is a professional singer, actor and musician. He has appeared regionally in “Master Harold … and the Boys,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Pericles,” “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Jersey Boys.”
Jake Watzman(Benyamin) is an American voice actor and theatre performer. He graduated with a BA in theatre from Muhlenberg College. He is recognized for his work in indie animation, visual novels, and voiceover projects.
And learning that one damaged bridge may disrupt downtown traffic for up to 18 months.
The small, almost unnoticed, span on Jesup Road linking Imperial Avenue with the police station, Jesup Green, the Westport Library, Levitt Pavilion and Taylor parking lot — and a way to avoid the parallel Post Road — was severely damaged.
It’s early in the process. Further study is needed. But repairs — if necessary — could take up to a year and a half.
More information will be available as the process unfolds.
Small bridge on Jesup Road, at Imperial Avenue.
Off Church Lane, plenty of work remained.
And in Deadman Brook by Myrtle Avenue, a dumpster remained stuck.
(Photos/Sal Liccione)
While the rest of the town had dried out, however, significant standing water remained at Bradley Street and Fairfield Avenue.
Here’s a shot from yesterday afternoon, 24 hours after the rain ended:
This is a survey only. Submitting it is not a claim or request for assistance, and does not guarantee that disaster relief or other recovery assistance will be available.
Information collected will help state and local emergency management officials document the extent of the damage, and determine whether the State of Connecticut may be eligible for post-disaster programs through FEMA and/or the Small Business Administration.
Finally: CBS News sent a reporter to Westport, to document the cleanup effort. Interviewees included Sal Liccione and Morley Boyd — and a photo from our “06880” blog. (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
After nearly 3 hours of debate, the issue of lights on athletic fields came into clearer focus last night.
Planning & Zoning Commission members discussed — in detail, with civility and plenty of back and forth — applications for 70-foot poles at PJ Romano and Wakeman Fields.
PJ Romano came first. The site behind Saugatuck Elementary School has elicited little public comment, because there are already temporary lights, and it is on well-traveled Riverside Avenue.
Traffic was more of a concern than noise. Commissioners insisted on a 9 p.m. weekend cutoff; no multi-team tournaments, and use restricted to Westport sports and Parks & Recreation Department activities. A straw vote showed 5 of the P&Z members in favor of the application.
Those and other restrictions will be clarified in writing by P&Z staff, and presented to the Commission on October 5 for a vote.
Temporary lights are currently used at PJ Romano Field. Here, a Westport PAL football team practices. (Photo/James Kingsley)
Wakeman — adjacent to Bedford Middle School — has elicited greater concern by neighbors.
Commissioners discussed the need for low-level lighting to ensure safety of players and parents once the lights are off; for audio limited to varsity games only (no practices), and to end once the game begins; a prohibition on multi-team tournaments; limited hours of usage, and the addition of several trees along the perimeter.
Another straw poll showed a majority in favor of the proposal, with those conditions. P&Z staff will clarify those conditions, and it too will be presented for an October 5 vote.
The Wakeman B turf field (left-center, above) is the only one that would be lit. (Drone photo/David Pogue)
Speaking of the Playhouse: Last night marked the first Script in Hand play reading of the season, with the premiere of “The Next Best Thing.”
The cast and crew. Front row (from left): Mia Dillon, Ayla Kopp, Tina Johnson, Hauako Stepper, Cindy Cheung, Grant Shaud, Alicia Thompson. Rear: Director Mark Shanahan, playwright Matt Hoverman. (Photo/Kelsey McFarland)
This year — as every year — LobsterFest is sold out.
So this is not a plug for tickets. It’s just an interesting update.
On Saturday, Compo Beach will welcome 1,500 guests for Westport Rotary Club’s annual event.
In celebration of its 15th year, Rotarians recently presented 1st Selectman Kevin Christie with an official LobsterFest hat.
From left: 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, LobsterFest chair Denise Thomas, Rotarian extraordinaire Rick Benson (in lobster suit), president Ron Henkoff, and LobsterFest entertainment chair Robert Augustyn. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
As the afternoon nears, Rotary offers heartfelt thanks to the Westport community for its overwhelming support.
LobsterFest’s sponsors have been exceptionally generous. This year’s event will raise over $400,000.
Special help comes from the Westport Fire and Police Departments and Emergency Medical Services, and many children’s entertainers (some work gratis).
The success of LobsterFest depends on over 200 volunteers. A few spots remain. Click here to sign up.
In other Rotary news, they’ve announced the winner of their lobster-naming contest.
It’s … Clawdia!
Congratulations to Vienna Tranquillo of Oxford. She earns a $25 gift certificate to The Sandbar at Compo Beach.
For 27 years, “Booked for the Evening” BOOKED for the evening has served as
the Westport Library’s signature celebration of ideas, achievement and community.
What began as a fundraising event has evolved into a cherished tradition that reflects the heart of the Library’s mission: fostering a love of learning, inspiring curiosity, and expanding our understanding of the world.
Each year, BOOKED brings together Library supporters, town leaders, cultural advocates and others for a night honoring a man or woman whose work has
made a lasting impact on society.
Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Billie Jean King, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Patti Smith, Nile Rodgers, Lynsey Addario, Ron Chernow, Alan Alda, Justin Paul and Itzhak Perlman are just some of the honorees over the past quarter century.
This year, the Westport Library honors award-winning director, actress, choreographer, producer and cultural icon Debbie Allen. The event is Wednesday, October 28.
She is perhaps best known as dance instructor Lydia Grant in the 1982 series “Fame.” She was also the show’s principal choreographer.
Allen has earned 3 Emmys, a Golden Globe, 5 NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk honor, the first-ever Astaire Award for Best Dancer, 4 honorary doctorates, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She has choreographed the Academy Awards 10 times, directed and produced episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “A Different World,” and was the creative force behind Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad.”
Appointed by President George W. Bush as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance, Allen spent more than 15 years as an artist-in-residence at the Kennedy Center.
She’ll be in conversation with Shonda Rhimes. The noted TV creator, producer, author, CEO of global media company Shondaland — and a Westporter — was the 2022 “Booked” honoree.
Business leaders, professionals and community members are invited to he next Executive Network Series event.
VTB Financial Group and Prestige Cabinetry & Design host the September 29 gathering (6 to 9 p.m., Rizzuto’s). It’s a benefit for Ann’s Place, a non-profit providing support and resources for individuals and families impacted by cancer.
Pianist Marc Copland headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m., VFW Post 399; dinner service at 6:45). Bassist Yuriy Galkin, pianist Steve Johns and saxophonist Greg Wall join in.
Maryssa Miller sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, and writes: “Every sunny afternoon, this little guy comes out of his home and perches in the same exact spot on the stone wall in my backyard to get some sun.
“Then he goes right back to wherever he lives. He’s been doing this since early August.
“I’m going to be moving in town soon. I’ll miss seeing him every day!”
And finally … in honor of tonight’s Westport Country Playhouse “Year in Anatevka” (story above):
(If I were a rich man … I wouldn’t have to suggest that readers help support this blog they read every day. But I’m not, so I do. Here goes: Please click here. And thank you!)
At the turn of the 20th century, private sanitariums were becoming alternatives to large psychiatric hospitals.
Sanitariums were located in rural areas. It was believed that quiet surroundings, fresh air, farming, crafts and separation from the stresses of everyday life could help people with mental illness (known then as “nervous disease”).
Westport had 2 sanitariums. One was on the Post Road at North Compo Road. The buildings were razed in the 1970s; today we know it as Winslow Park.
The other was on Long Lots Road. Dr. David McFarland opened it in 1898. Four years later, it was named Hall-Brooke.
Dr. McFarland’s sanitarium.
By mid-century, it had transitioned to a psychiatric hospital model. Treatments included electroshock therapy and restraints.
In 1964, Elisabeth Solomon and irving Cooper bought the hospital and 27 acres for $907,000. It became a non-profit. After a rough period in which Solomon lost control of the organization, then fought to regain it, Hall-Brooke expanded into community and outpatient behavioral health services.
Hall-Brooke Hospital
An old building fronting Long Lots was demolished. A new 60,000-square foot facility opened in the rear of the property.
In 2008, St. Vincent’s Medical Center took over. The name was changed to St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health — a mouthful.
St. Vincent’s is now owned by Hartford HealthCare. For a year, their marketing team searched for a name that would reflect its high quality of care.
Which is why Hall-Brooke (as old-timers still call it) and St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health (as no one called it) is now “The Shores Mental Health” — or even more simply, “The Shores.”
The name “conveys healing, stability, and its location near the beach,” says Eleanor Cronley, HHC’s Fairfield region director.
The Shores name covers Hartford HealthCare’s “behavioral footprint” in Fairfield County: the 76-bed campus on Long Lots Road, and outpatient clinics in Norwalk and Bridgeport.
The Shores entrance.
Changes at The Shores go beyond the name. A new Welcome Center — open 6 days a week, including evenings — allows people to talk with clinicians. If admission is appropriate, it happens quickly. If not, they may be referred to one of the outpatient facilities.
“The goal is always to find the least restrictive environment,” Cronley says.
The grounds.
She notes the need for a speedy process. A New Jersey doctor called the Welcome Center, because there were no beds in his patient’s area. Three hours later, the teenager had one here.
That patient was admitted to the 16-bed children’s and adolescent unit. (“Parents like bypassing the emergency department,” Cronley notes.)
Two units — each with 24 beds — are reserved for acute adult cases. The other 12 beds are part of the mood and anxiety program, which the Welcome Center often feeds into.
Dr. Tobias Wasser, chair of psychiatry and behavioral health.
Cronley has lived in Wilton for 18 years. Until a few years ago however, she — like many area residents — did not know St. Vincent’s existed.
“And I work in the behavioral health field!” she says.
The Shores hopes to have more of a presence through its campus, a couple of miles from shore.
A ribbon cutting is set for October 14. “It will be a momentous day for behavioral health in Fairfield County,” Cronley promises.
(“06880” regularly reports on health and wellness, in all its forms. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Westport Parks & Recreation Commission chair David Floyd has lived here for over 30 years.
A football, basketball and track athlete at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland, and a University of Maryland graduate, he helps oversee so many local amenities: our beaches, Longshore, athletic fields, parks, and much more.
The other day, David came to the Westport Library, for an “06880” podcast chat. Click here or below, for an inside look at some of the most special places and programs in town.
Week #30 of our series brings 4 more examples of a variety of architectural styles that have met the wrecking ball — and the style that supplants them.
“Then & Now” curator and pre-demolition archivist Dave Matlow provides these images. They’re part of a project he worked on from 2004 to 2020.
A reminder: This is a community blog. Our neighbors live here. Some built those new structures; others are the second (or beyond) owners.
If you comment, please be kind. Taste is subjective. Wherever we live, everyone has loves their home.
NOTE: This is an information-gathering survey only. Submitting the survey is not a claim or request for assistance, and does not guarantee that disaster relief or other recovery assistance will be available.
Information collected will help state and local emergency management officials document the extent of the damage, and determine whether the State of Connecticut may be eligible for post-disaster programs through FEMA and/or the Small Business Administration.
Residents should also report property damage to their insurance company.
Major damage occurred at the 1177 Post Road East apartments. The first floor — including the community room — were inundated. Cars in the parking lot were ruined.
It was the second major flood there in 5 years.
One view of 1177 Post Road East …
… and another.
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How much rain fell yesterday?
Statistics are one thing. Visual evidence is another.
Lynsey Addario has added one more prestigious honor, to her sparkling resumé.
The 1991 Staples High School graduate — already a Pulitzer Prize- and MacArthur Fellow-winning photojournalist — recently received the Diane vonFurstenberg Award.
Founded by the fashion designer in 2010, it recognizes women who display exceptional courage, strength and leadership. The award icludes a grant to further the recipient’s humanitarian or non-profit work.
Addario was cited for her fearless career documenting conflict zones, around the world.
Charlie Capalbo’s battle with lymphoma and leukemia inspired countless people, locally and across the nation.
The 2017 graduate of Fairfield Ludlowe High School — and grandson of noted Westport writer Ina Chadwick — was a 3-time recipient of cells from his brother Will. The procedure helped Charlie live a few extra years, before he died in 2022.
A Bank of America Capalbo Strong Walk (October 4, Jennings Beach, Fairfield), keeps Charlie’s memory and legacy alive, by supporting pediatric cancer research and families facing similar battles.
The 24K walk (15 miles) honors his birth and death days. The walk is 3 loops of 5 miles, weaving through the beach area. Paricipants can do 1, 2 or 3 loops — or anything in between. 250 walkers have already signed up.
There is a post-walk celebration at The Seagrape with Colony Pizza, Super Duper Weenie Trucks and the Stop & Shop trucks.
So is another year of the Staples Model UN. It’s one of the most successful of all the high school’s club.
The student-run organization teaches members the skills needed to participate in Model United Nations conferences. At conferences, students represent countries in UN committees, researching and debating complex international issues from their assigned country’s perspective.
In recent years Staples delegates have attended conferences hosted by Yale, Dartmouth, the Loomis Chaffee School, and the National High School Model United Nations Conference in New York City.
The club meets weekly after school to prepare through public speaking, debate, research, negotiation, and resolution-writing exercises.
While many other schools have significantly more institutional support for Model UN — including dedicated faculty-led programs and even Model UN classes — Staples students teach and prepare one another.
Despite those differences, Staples has been highly successful. In the past 2 years alone, they’ve collected 10 awards at 4 conferences.
Model UN conferences cost hundreds of dollars per student, for registration, transportation and lodging. They hope to fundraise, so that all interested members can participate.
Right now, they’re looking for local businesses and organizations to partner with Staples Model UN. $250 can help cover the conference costs of 1 student; $500 can help support 2. Contributions of any amount are appreciated.
Club members say their goal is not only to raise money, but to “build support within the Westport community for a student-run program that gives Staples students opportunities to develop skills in public speaking, research, diplomacy, negotiation and leadership.
Interested businesses, organizations and individuals can send checks to “Model UN Club,” c/o Staples High School, 70 North Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Email jori.altman@gmail.com.
Local walkers will join others nationwide this Sunday (September 19, 10 a.m., Sherwood Island State Park, for the Optimism Walk for Parkinson’s.
Funds raised go to local programs and services that help people with Parkinson’s disease live life to the fullest, and to fund research for treatments and a cure. Click here for more information, and registration.
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Yesterday’s weather was, as they say, a nice day for ducks.
Robin Jaffee Frank spotted today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene just a day before, near Temple Israel.
And finally … the weather has cleared. But let’s not let yesterday pass without:
(We hope you’ve dried out. We also hope you appreciated yesterday’s coverage of that crazy storm. We worked all day — even longer than usual. Please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
Longtime Bridge Street resident Werner Liepolt has watched the Cribari Bridge debate closely.
In the other direction from his home, another story is unfolding. A proposal to demolish the one of the 2 office buildings at 55-57 Greens Farms Road — and replace it with a 250-unit apartment structure — 30 percent of them “affordable” under state statute — is working its way through town bodies.
The Conservation Commission will discuss the plan at a public hearing on Wednesday (September 16, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium and livestream).
Liepolt — a recognized consulting party for the Cribari Bridge project — wrote to 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, Representative Town Meeting members and other officials:
TC Greens Farms LLC has proposed demolishing the approximately 60,000-square foot office building at 57 Greens Farms Road and replacing it with a 250-unit multi-family residential building, with 30 percent of the units designated as affordable housing.
The reported development cost is approximately $100 million, and the proposal has now entered Westport’s municipal review process.
55 Greens Farms Road — the building closest to the street — would be demolished, and replaced with a new apartment structure.
This location is directly relevant to Cribari Bridge Project 158-214. Greens Farms Road is part of the residential corridor connecting I-95 exits 18 and 17 by way of Bridge Street, the Cribari Bridge and Riverside Avenue.
Traffic generated or redistributed at 55–57 Greens Farms Road therefore has the potential to affect the traffic baseline, route choices and cumulative conditions surrounding the bridge and the Bridge Street Historic District.
I am not suggesting that all traffic generated by 250 apartments should simply be treated as new traffic. A responsible analysis must compare the proposed residential use with the actual or reasonably anticipated occupancy and traffic generation of the office building being removed. Nor is this an objection to the affordable housing component of the proposal.
Bridge Street traffic. (Photo/Werner Liepolt)
However, a development of this magnitude on a road feeding the bridge corridor cannot reasonably be ignored while the Federal Highway Administration and Connecticut Department of Transportation prepare a revised Environmental Assessment. The traffic analysis should examine:
Existing and projected daily and peak-hour traffic from the property
The assumptions used for the office building being demolished
Anticipated distribution of residential traffic toward I-95 exits 17 and 18 and toward the Cribari Bridge
The interaction between this development and each bridge alternative under consideration
I-95 diversion and navigation-app routing through Greens Farms Road, Bridge Street and Riverside Avenue
Construction traffic, emergency access and pedestrian and bicycle safety
The combined effects of foreseeable development and changes in the bridge’s weight, geometry and accessibility to larger vehicles.
This is particularly important because altering the Cribari Bridge could itself change driver behavior and route selection. A development analysis that assumes the present bridge, and a bridge analysis that omits the proposed development, could leave the public with 2 incomplete studies and no examination of their combined consequences.
Those consequences could include additional congestion and cut-through traffic, changes in the volume and composition of vehicles, increased noise and air pollution, pedestrian and cyclist hazards, and effects on the residential character, setting and integrity of the National Register-listed Bridge Street Historic District.
Aerial view of 55-57 Greens Farms Road. The street is at the bottom. It feeds into Bridge Street and the Cribari Bridge (left, off the image).
These matters are relevant to the revised environmental review and, where historic properties may be affected, to the continuing Section 106 consultation.
I respectfully request that:
This development proposal and this correspondence be entered into the Project 158-214 administrative and consultation records
FHWA and CTDOT obtain and review the developer’s traffic-impact study and underlying assumptions
The revised Environmental Assessment disclose whether and how this development is incorporated into its traffic baseline and indirect and cumulative-effects analysis
Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office consider whether resulting traffic conditions associated with the bridge alternatives could affect the character and setting of the Bridge Street Historic District
Consulting parties receive a written response explaining how this new information will be addressed before the revised Environmental Assessment is completed.
No single agency should review only its isolated portion of these projects while overlooking the corridor-wide consequences created by their interaction. The public deserves a current, coordinated analysis before decisions become effectively irreversible.
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Submissions may be sent to 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this hyperlocal blog with a tax-deductible contribution, please click here.)
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