Sure, Staples Players performed “Urinetown” a few months ago.
But they also staged it in the spring of 2017.
That’s the version we’re posting today. Thanks to Jim Honeycutt, former media teacher, for compiling the highlights of directors David Roth and Kerry Long’s show. Click here or below to see.
What have cast members been up to in the 9 years since?
Avery Mendillo (Penelope Pennwise) is a New York–based actor and singer with roots in musical theatre, and a career in film and TV. She recently filmed her first feature film.
Remy Laifer (Bobby Strong) is 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.”
Jacob Leaf (Officer Lockstock) is a professional actor. He has appeared in “Mamma Mia!,” “Gypsy,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Eurydice” and more.
Zoe Samuels (Hope Cladwell, UGG Secretary) is an associate strategy director at Edelman. She graduated with a degree in theater and Chinese from Middlebury College.
Antonio Antonelli(Hot Blades Harry, Wiley Fred) is an actor and crew member. He voiced the character Shane in “Santaman,” an appeared as Wes in “Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow.”
Colin McKechnie (Tiny Tom) is 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.”
Brooke Wrubel(Little Becky Two Shoes, Hidalgo Jane) is a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University specializing in Early Christian, Byzantine and Western Medieval Art, with a focus on the development of pilgrimage shrines across Italy, Greece and the Holy Land. She holds a BA in art history and Italian studies from Bowdoin College, and an MA in the history of art from the University of Pennsylvania.
Sophia Sherman(Josephine Strong, Tawny Tess) studied acting and performing arts management at the University of Michigan. Based in Los Angeles, Sophia has focused on screen acting.
Chad Celini(Shem the Shameless) is an 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.”
Nick Rossi(Otto the Spoon) 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.”
Jackie Rhoads (Mrs. Millennium, UGG Secretary) is a filmmaker, actor, writer and producer, who studied film at Vanderbilt University. She creates and stars in videos on her YouTube channel, which has over 20,000 subscribers, and supports the development team at Fivestone Studios, a production company based in Nashville.
Mikayla Czizik (Nurse Clackett) 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
Mia Kobylinski(UGG Secretary) is a performer and creative visual artist. She is also a professional visual artist and filmmaker under her brand MAK Filmworks, capturing film photography and media content across the West.
Jake Watzman (Ensemble, the Poor) is a 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.
In the wake of last month’s flooding, the Small Business Administration will provide low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits in Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield Counties.
The declaration comes in response to a request Governor Lamont submitted to the SBA immediately after assessments conducted by SBA, state, and local officials determined that the damage from the storm exceeds the criteria necessary to qualify.
Specifically, the loans cover:
Homeowners: Up to $500,000 to repair their primary residence.
Homeowners and renters: Up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Business owners: Up to $2 million to replace real property, inventories, machinery, equipment and other physical losses.
Businesses and nonprofits: Loans of up to $2 million to provide working capital until normal operations resume.
Businesses like The Visual Brand that were damaged in the September 13 flood, as well as homeowners and renters, can apply for Small Business Administration loans.
The application deadline for physical damage loans is December 1. The application deadline for economic injury loans is July 2, 2027. To apply:
In-person: A temporary, in-person outreach center will open at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center at 999 Broad Street in Bridgeport beginning tomorrow (October 7).
It will operate Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adjusted hours include 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 9, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 20 and 21. It will be closed October 12, and close permanently after October 21.
Online: The MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov allows applicants to apply online, view loan details, check balances, make payments and access statements.
To learn more about the plan, click here, then scroll down to “96 Compo Road South.” You’ll see all materials submitted by Garden Homes Fund to the Planning & Zoning Department.
96 Compo Road North is the white area, in the middle of the pink.
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The Representative Town Meeting meets tonight, as regularly scheduled.
A special meeting has been added for Thursday (October 8, 7:30 p.m., Zoom). They’ll consider an appropriation request of $172,500, for the design cost and permitting of the Jesup Road bridge replacement. Click here for more details of both sessions.
Yesterday — just a few hours before show time — the Westport Country Playhouse announced that Tom Hanks would join Wendie Mali and Tony Shalhoub onstage.
The occasion was the 95-year-old theater’s 100th Script in Hand play reading.
A full, high-energy house enjoyed “Portrait of a Woman in Repose.” The star-studded cast did not disappoint.
Script in Hand events are different from fully staged shows. Last night, just as the play opened, Hanks spilled a bottle of water, largely on Malick. The audience roared.
(Photo/Dave Briggs)
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Speaking of downtown: There’s a new bespoke tailor there.
Well, not exactly new. Welvin Rosario has been open on the 2nd floor at 141 Main Street since March.
Before that, he spent 9 years as Stephen Kempson’s tailor.
Now he’s struck out on his own.
His workspace is bright, with a vaulted ceiling. A balcony overlooks what everyone still calls Brooks Corner.
Welvin welcomes everyone with a smile. The Dominican Republic native says he was “born on a sewing machine.” Hi grandmother, mother and cousins all sewed.
Welvin Rosario at work … (Photo/SirTay Jackson)
He began designing when he was young. After studying the craft at university, Welvin moved to Spain.
Visiting his mother in the Bronx in 2013, he met the woman who soon became his wife. He worked in New York, then was introduced to Kempson by a mutual friend. He earned a reputation for craftsmanship, and diligence.
He earned a great reputation. “Everyone wants to grow, and go out on their own,” he says.
One Sunday after church, Welvin found the Main Street space. He signed a lease the next day.
Welvin offers men’s and women’s bespoke tailoring, made-to-measure, and alterations.
Trousers, shirts, pants, jackets — he does it all.
Customers like his combination of skill, relaxed personality, humility — and quick turnaround time.
Pumpkins, saplings and children’s books come together this Saturday (October 10), at Jesup Green.
From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., kids are invited to a “Painting Pumpkins on the Green” event. There’s that, plus a chance to meet children’s authors, play games, enjoy treats, and meet Earthplace critters. Youngsters are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.
Parents (and non-parent adults) can pick up free oak saplings.
It’s all sponsored by Westport Book Shop, Earthplace and the Westport Tree Board.
Don’t carve it (yet). Paint it on Saturday!
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Speaking of pumpkins: Check out this (non-orange) display outside The Artist Loft.
Salon owner Bianca Bazante painted and decorated them. Now you’ve got something to enjoy, while waiting (and waiting) at the Post Road West/Riverside Avenue light.
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Absentee ballots are now available for the November 3 election.
A free open mic night of laughs is set for Wednesday (October 7; sign-ups at 6:30 p.m., show at 7). Perform yourself, or laugh with the talent. Bar food and drink specials too. For more information, email meganharvist@gmail.com.
On Thursday (October 8) the Dave Kardas Band plays blues, jazz and originals from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Following Dave Kardas, Jazz at the Post features trumpeter Michael Mossman. He’s joined by pianist Oscar Perez, bassist Alex Ayala, drummer David Alvarez III, percussionist Gabriel Globus and saxophonist Greg Wall. Dinner service begins at 6:15 p.m. Shows are 7 and 8:15 p.m. Click here for tickets.
And on Saturday (October 10, 6:30 p.m.), Eliot Lewis — rock star, soul singer, multi-instrumentalist, formerly of Hall & Oates and the Average White Band — takes the stage. Enjoy light bar food, with drink specials. Click here for tickets ($15 in advance; $20 cast at the door).
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Rachel Markus lost her AirPods this weekend. They were pinging a house in Greens Farms, where she had not been.
Turns out someone found them during Westoberfest, and handed them to the emcee.
He was none other than CBS weather personality Lonnie Quinn. He opened the door to his (Greens Farms) home, and handed them to Rachel’s husband.
Her mother wanted to know how Lonnie looked. “Her friends used to have a crush on him,” Rachel reports.
Meanwhile, she thanks whoever found her AirPods and handed them in.
And, of course, Lonnie.
Lonnie Quinn: weatherman and AirPod savior.
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Also last weekend: A thrilling, come-from-behind home win by the Staples High School football team, 14-10 over previously unbeaten Cheshire.
But there was lots of action beyond the gridiron. Click here or below to check out this display by Ryan Inzero, the internationally (at least on social media) famed sign spinner:
On the podcast “SmartLess,” hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes chatted recently with the longtime movie star (and long-ago Westport resident).
The interview includes his recollections about working at the Mobil gas station on Main Street (now Vineyard Vines). Click here to listen.(Hat tip: Richard Stein)
Staples High School graduate Mary Lou Wokanovicz died on June 17, after a brief illness. She was 90, and lived in Fairfield.
She worked as a secretary at Famous Artists Schools. After marrying Joseph Wokanovicz, who would become Westport’s postmaster, they moved to a house on Sturges Highway. They cherished it for 70 years.
Mary Lou loved gardening, cooking, feeding wild birds, tending her flock of chickens, and the many St. Bernard dogs she raised with her husband.
She also enjoyed the beach, boating with her family, and family holiday celebrations.
An avid follower of current events who read multiple newspapers daily, she was “a proud Democrat who passionately and unselfishly wanted the best for all the world’s people.”
Mary Lou was predeceased by her husband of 63 years. She is survived by her children Anne and Peter, daughter-in-law Nancy, grandsons Nicholas and Benjamin Wokanovicz, sister Patricia O’Connor and her daughter Marleen, many nieces and nephews, and her cats Lucy and Darcy.
Per her wishes there are no services. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to donate to Guiding Eyes For the Blind, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Habitat For Humanity or Connecticut Audubon Society.
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A handsome Sherwood Island State Park bald eagle holds a place of honor, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” star.
Sheila Keenan — a longtime, well-known Westport realtor and civic volunteer — died September 17. She was 88.
The Massachusetts native graduated from Boston College. She launched her career as an elementary school teacher in Charlottesville, Virginia while her husband Tod Keenan pursued a law degree at the University of Virginia.
In 1964 the couple settled in Westport, and raised 3 children. Tod built his law practice, while Sheila built a career of her own. She was a founding partner of KMS Partners, which grew into the number one real estate team in Connecticut. Honors included the Coldwell Banker Vision Award, and many President’s Elite designations.
Sheila spent much of her life advocating for children with special needs and their families. She co-founded both Pegasus Therapeutic Riding and CLASP, and served on the board of the Bethel Recovery Center, where her efforts earned a citation from the state Attorney General.
She served as secretary of the United Way of Westport/Weston for 5 years. As a longtime member of Sunrise Rotary Club, she took on roles of membership chairman and social chairman with enthusiasm.
She was active in the Westport Young Women’s League and the Junior League of Fairfield County, and for 12 years answered calls as an emergency medical technician with Westport Emergency Medical Service.
Most recently, she was involved with PEO International, an organization that helps women re-enter the workplace.
Sheila Keenan
Her obituary says, “To her family, she was simply ‘Didi,’ known and adored for her kindness, her generosity, her enormous heart, boundless energy and a deep and abiding faith in God. She loved nothing more than gathering people, and she connected people, for work, for love, or just for friendship.”
A devoted member of St. Luke’s Church, she also belonged to the Gaelic American Club, Fayerweather Yacht Club, the Yale Club, and the Fairfield County Hunt Club.
A skilled card player, she co-founded a bridge group that recently celebrated their 61st year. She also enjoyed mah jongg, tennis and paddle tennis.
She loved travel, and proudly wore silly hats.
Sheila is survived by her children, Maura Keenan (partner Peter Teed); Kerry Keenan (Michael Jarvela), and Sean Keenan; grandchildren Olivia Firstenberg (Anthony Terlizzi), Maggie Teed, Franny Jarvela and Lucy Jarvela; great-grandchildren Owen Madigan and Rosie Sally Terlizzi, and a wide, devoted circle of friends.
Sheila had the joy of meeting Rosie, born September 14, just days before she passed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas “Tod” Keenan, and her brother Francis Forziati.
A Staples High School student offered some thoughts on a podcast last week — and ignited an online firestorm. Today, he describes the aftermath of that podcast.
I am a junior at Staples High School, and over the last week my life has been turned upside down.
I am escorted to class every day by school administrators. Classmates I sit beside have told me, in writing, that they wish to gang rape and kill me. My retail job has let me go, claiming of course that it was entirely unrelated.
My home address along with my father’s phone number have been posted online. He now fields a near endless stream of calls from strangers detailing their perspectives on his son.
I have loved ideas my whole life. I launched a newsletter my freshman year, and a podcast over the past summer. I gave my perspective on the situation at Cornell last Tuesday, which was similar to voices as politically opposed as what “The View”’s Sunny Hostin and “The Daily Wire”’s Ben Shapiro both espoused: that under New York state law, and with the evidence given to the district attorney in 2024, the decision not to prosecute was not unreasonable.
My tone may have been too cold, my wording imprecise, but nothing that could possibly merit what happened over the course of the week.
Let’s be fully clear: Rape and sexual assault are among the most disgusting things that occur in our society. The video itself labeled what occurred as “morally wrong” and “disgusting.”
My intention was never to minimize or denigrate anyone who falls victim to these situations. Yet the people who ostensibly claim to share that position were willing to threaten me with becoming a victim of it myself.
I have handled the backlash the best I am able. I cooperated fully with law enforcement and the administration at Staples High School. I have ignored the streams of texts and calls, and deleted Instagram off my phone to avoid obsessing over the situation.
I have attended my classes and walked into school despite being told not to go, both by those looking out for my best interests and bad actors seeking to intimidate me.
My current situation has become untethered from the Cornell case itself. It is a story of a 16-year-old kid who expressed an opinion that, whatever issues in presentation may have precipitated the response, was not outside the Overton Window.
The response was not counter arguments. It was hardly anyone seeking to educate me, understand me, or engage in the sort of discourse that only serves to help make our communities better.
The response was doxxing and death threats.
What has stuck with me most this week is the gap between the unflinching vitriol of the online mob, and the everyday good of the people who know me. What has stuck with me are the friends who have stood by my side, despite facing immense judgment for such a stance.
What has stuck with me are the people who, in the days since the night the clip was posted, have come to me to apologize for their threats and harassment.
I have a teacher I expected to disagree with on nearly every political issue, and I probably do. But I would now say I agree with her on everything that matters. Before class, she spoke to me privately to make sure her classroom would be a safe space for me, too.
It is those people who expressed a commitment to integrity, values and principles, concepts steadier and more important than partisanship. It is a commitment to how you treat people, your peers and neighbors, including those you disagree with.
I have seen people who vehemently disagree with me show more integrity than those who stand by every word I have said. And to say I am forever grateful to those people would be an understatement.
I am not asking everyone to agree with what I said in the video, or any political stances I hold at all. The beauty of living in a town, and a nation, where people have such a diversity of opinions and are allowed to speak their minds freely, is exactly what drew me to being so enamored with ideas at such a young age.
What I would ask is simpler: Let dissent be accompanied by an explanation, not a threat of violence or a doxxing.
Westport is a town that prides itself on being a place that values education and civic participation. If that is true, then it should be the place where a 16-year-old kid can make an argument, however unpopular or poorly expressed, without having his family doxxed, and his little sister living in fear, over it.
That is an entirely apolitical ask, and the bare minimum for a town that wishes to call itself a community.
(“Students Speak” is a forum for all students, who live in or attend school in Westport and Weston. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.net. To support this hyper-local blog, click here. Thank you!)
A new 8-30g housing proposal has been filed with town officials.
This one — for 18 units in 9 duplexes, all “affordable” based on state statutes — is planned for 96 Compo Road North.
The homes would be built by Eagle River. They produce manufactured and modular homes in Pennsylvania, for delivery anywhere.
96 Compo Road North is now vacant land, between Brookside Drive and the Town Farm tennis courts and Little League fields.
96 Compo Road North (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)
On the other side of the street, the site is between Tamarac Road and Gorham Avenue.
The 9 duplexes would be built on land (white) inside the pink area. The Town Farm tennis courts and baseball fields are at top.
The developer is familiar. Garden Homes Fund — the philanthropic arm of Stamford-based Garden Homes Management — engaged in a lengthy court battle to develop 122 Wilton Road.
Those 19 units of affordable housing, on the corner of Kings Highway North, are managed by Homes with Hope. The Westport non-profit is not affiliated with the Compo Road North project.
In its application, Garden Homes says that the new housing would consist entirely of 2-bedroom units. It would “provide housing in Westport for low and moderate income families with school-aged children.”
Rendering of 1 of the 9 proposed duplexes.
The application adds, “While the need for affordable housing is dire in Connecticut, it is most needed in neighborhoods of high opportunity. Neighborhoods play a central role in upward mobility and are where children experience socioeconomic development, form social ties, and access resources and life opportunities.”
The Fund would develop the property, then sell it to “an area housing non-profit at below cost on completion.” The project would generate 14 points, toward an 8-30g moratorium.
There would be 24 parking spaces. Residents would be limited to 1 car per unit, “strictly enforced as a condition of the lease.”
No date has yet been set for hearings by the Planning & Zoning Commission, or other town bodies.
There will be no decision on athletic field lights tonight.
The Planning & Zoning Commission — which was scheduled to discuss a proposal for both Wakeman and PJ Romano Fields — canceled its public hearing. Not all members were able to attend.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 19.
That frees up commissioners and interested residents to attend tonight’s Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand reading of “Portrait of a Woman in Repose.”
Earlier today, it was announced that Tom Hanks will join Wendie Malick and Tony Shalhoub at the event. It’s a milestone: the 100th show in the series.
Unfortunately for the P&Z, and anyone else thinking of attending: It’s already sold out.
This morning, “06880” posted a story about Kevin Nealon’s appearance at this Friday’s “Stand Up For Homes with Hope” benefit at Fairfield University. The event is now sold out.
Great news for the non-profit that addresses homelessness and food insecurity. Bad news for the comedian’s many fans who missed out on tickets!
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Most Westporters seldom think about our water.
We turn on the tap. We drink it. We cook with it. We shower in it.
Ignacy Nieweglowski think about our water, though.
He’s not a hydrologist. He doesn’t work for Aquarion, or the town.
He’s a senior at Staples High School. He and classmate Sahil Vora co-founded the Health Tech Initiative. The entirely student-run public research organization tracks the state of lead contamination in Connecticut. Recently, they won a President’s Environmental Youth Award.
This Saturday (October 10, 9 a.m. to noon), the group will host a free Water Drive. It’s in the main lobby of Staples High.
Residents can bring water samples from their homes. Ignacy, Sahil and their club will screen it — free — for lead and heavy metals.
The results come back in just 3 minutes. They are then added to the Health Tech Initiative Lead Watch database.
For the most accurate results, do not run any water in the house for 8 hours (usually that’s overnight). Then collect a sample, after that stagnation period.
Along with the testing, the Health Tech Initiative will raffle off an automatic flushing system on behalf of their partner, Noah Systems. It automatically clears lead from home pipes.
Any money raised or donated will help fund the group’s project: testing every Westport public school and many public facilities for lead.
Sahil Vora and Ignacy Nieweglowski, with the Presidential awards.
A reminder: The first event in “06880”‘s newest venture — community celebrations of local businesses — is set for this Saturday.
And everyone is invited.
On October 10 (5 to 7 p.m), “06880” and Kiin Sauna host “Community, Connection and Contrast.” KiiN is at 1555 Post Road East, next to Sherpa, Longevity, Zion and CT Sports Recovery — all wellness businesses too.
You’ll see friends and neighbors. Enjoy complimentary beverages. Meet KiiN founder Ginger Richardson, who will tell you all about the benefits of a sauna and cold plunge.
Ginger Richardson
If you feel adventurous, you can try a sauna and cold plunge yourself. (Sauna and plunge space is limited; click here to sign up.)
Ginger and her crew are great hosts. It’s a fun way to learn about a new spot in town.
Dave Briggs and I will host more events soon, all over town. We look forward to this new series. If your business would like to collaborate with us, email us: 06880blog@gmail.com.
This year’s event — the 4th annual fundraiser, supporting Westport’s first responders and veteran community — is Saturday, October 17 (6 to 8 p.m. VFW Post 399).
Greg Gunter of the Westport Police Department is the defending 3-time champion. Can he make it 4 straight?
Attendees vote for their favorite, among a wide variety of homemade recipes. There’s plenty of other great food, a 50/50 raffle, and a healthy heaping of community spirit.
Tickets are $25, at the VFW in advance or at the door. Proceeds benefit the VFW, Fire Department, Police Department and Volunteer Emergency Medical Services.
Questions? Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, or call 203-227-6796.
Here in District 4, it’s been a low-key race for US Congress.
On October 19 (7 p.m., Westport Library), the Lower Fairfield County Leagues of Women hosts a debate. The 3 candidates — Democratic incumbent Jim Himes, Republican Michael Ted Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley — will participate.
Paula Morgan is the Westport Book Shop’s guest exhibitor for October.
She works primarily in oils, exploring the quiet moments and enduring light of coastal New England.
Paula has been a visual arts educator for over 2 decades. She is a member of The Artists Collective of Westport, and her work is exhibited in galleries throughout New England.
A reception is set for this Thursday (October 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Paula’s work will be on display all month, and available for purchase.
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