One of the great perks of living here is the Westport Country Playhouse.
And one of the great perks of the Playhouse is the chance — once a year — to go behind the scenes.
Today was that day. The annual season kickoff party featured food, music, and a very cool opportunity to visit the dressing rooms, costume and set shops, and green room.
And — this is very, very cool — to stand on stage, gazing out at the historic house, just like Alan Alda, Tallulah Bankhead, Sid Caesar, Carol Channing, Richard Dreyfuss, Will Geer, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Uta Hagen, June Havoc, Helen Hayes, Hal Holbrook, James Earl Jones, Eartha Kitt, Bert Lahr, Gypsy Rose Lee, Hal March, Grouch Marx, Liza Minelli, Paul Newman, Ezio Pinza, Basil Rathbone, Gloria Swanson, Joanne Woodward and thousands of others have done right in Westport, for 85 exciting years.
Standing on the venerable stage is a rare treat.
Associate artist Annie Keefe explains the Playhouse’s inner workings.
The green room isn’t green. But just think of all the famous actors who have hung out here, waiting for their scenes. (The TV offers a live feed of the show.)
We went to that event last year. It is fascinating to learn about the behind-the-scenes details of the Playhouse and its productions as well as the history of this wonderful theater. The WCP is a true Westport jewel.