Yesterday morning “06880” profiled David Marshall Grant, the Staples grad now serving as executive producer/writer of NBC’s new hit series “Smash.”
A few hours later, the show featured a shout-out to the Westport Country Playhouse.
Last night’s storyline alluded to the character played by musical theater legend Bernadette Peters singing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” (from “Gypsy”) at the playhouse.
Although “Gypsy” has never actually been produced there, in 1966 Peters appeared at the playhouse in the musical “Riverwind.” She returned to that stage in 2008 to present a special tribute to Angela Lansbury.
Last September, Peters herself was honored with Westport Country Playhouse’s Distinguished Dedication and Service to the American Musical Theater Award.
As they say in TV land, “stay tuned” to “Smash” for more Westport references.
(Click here to view last night’s show. The Playhouse reference can be heard at about 00:54.)
Bernadette Peters and Weston's James Naughton at last year's Westport Country Playhouse Gala. (Photo/Kathleen O'Rourke)
BP was the Witch in “Into the Woods” on Broadway, which must rate a Westport connection somehow…
She is the female version of Dorian Gray!