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Excitement is building in the Staples High School auditorium. The curtain rises this Thursday (and Friday, and twice on Saturday) for the first Staples Players live production in 14 months.
David Ives’ “Words Words Words … and Music” is a truly funny series of mini-plays (with 2 mini-musicals to boot). But even though each audience is limited to only 300 seats, tickets remain.
It it because the show is unfamiliar? Perhaps there’s residual pandemic fear (click here to see the precautions taken). Maybe audiences have forgotten just how professional-quality Players’ acting and music are.
Whatever the reason: The program needs community support. For 63 years, that support has sustained Players, and allowed it to thrive,
Westport cherishes the high school acting troupe. But Westporters may not realize how important it is for all 300 tickets to sell out for each show (Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., and May 22 at 2 p.m.).
“Words Words Words … and Music” is laugh-out-loud funny — and very family-friendly. Young audiences, in fact, are the future of Players. They’ve missed a year of shows, so this is the perfect time to bring them back.
Click here for tickets and more information. See you at the show!
Sophie Rossman, Benny Zack and Samanath Webster in “Words Words Words.” Fully vaccinated actors will perform in clear visors. (Photo/Kerry Long)
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The CDC’s head-turning elimination of mask-wearing for vaccinated people raises a good question: “How do I know if someone is vaccinated?”
Staples High School Class of 2009 graduate Mike Bowen has a way.
Bowen — aka Mike Waxx — owns Illroots brand. It branched out from music and videos to apparel and footwear. For a while, it’s offered a custom apparel “Shirt App” in the App Store.
Users can create their own t-shirt or hoodies. They choose the design (including pictures from their iPhone library), then add text and stickers.
So what’s the Waxx/vaxx connection? You can design a shirt like this:
Or — better yet — add a photo of yourself getting your shot.
Then wear it proudly the next time you stroll — mask-less — into Trader Joe’s.
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A 185-foot sailboat drew attention yesterday, as it anchored dramatically in Long Island Sound just beyond the Compo Beach cannons. Several “06880” readers sent photos of the luxurious craft.
Westporters are reminded of the yacht that anchored near there several years ago. Rumors — never confirmed — were that it belonged to Eric Clapton, and he was visiting Keith Richards in Weston.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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Yesterday’s Roundup included a photo of a handmade poster hung beneath the stop sign on Clinton Road, at Fillow Street.
It said: “Stop! Kids live here!”
Here’s the back story, courtesy of Erika Brunwasser:
“Few stop, many ‘pause,’ and a bunch fly through without even pausing.
“I have 2 little girls, ages 2 and 5. It’s scary and unacceptable. I called the police several times and asked about a flashing light, a speed bump and a sign to monitor speed. I’ve been told none of these are possible.
“They promised me that someone would monitor the area. This happened less a handful of times. The other day I sat in my front yard screaming at people, and realized I needed a better plan.
“I brought in the help of my next-door neighbor, artist Lilie Fortino (who was raised in Westport) to make a sign. We put it up Saturday evening. It made an immediate difference. Everyone has stopped (if only to glance at the beautiful sign — that’s fine with me). It worked.”
It shouldn’t take a sign and a stop sign to get drivers to stop roaring through residential neighborhoods (or anywhere else).
But if that’s what it takes — we’ll take it.
Lilie Fortino and her 1-year-old. Erika Brunwasser and her children. SLOW DOWN!
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Speaking of yesterday’s Roundup: It also included mention that Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson would read The Sly Fox of the Mind — a children’s book by Westporters Brooke Olstein and Lee Scharfstein — on her YouTube channel, “Story Time with Fergie and Friends.”
Click below to watch. It’s a wonderful book — made even greater when read in the Queen’s English.
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Speaking of books: Financial journalist and author Michael Lewis will be interviewed by noted former New York Times writer Lisa Belkin.
Lewis’s newest book, The Premonition: A Pandemic Story follows 3 main characters – a biochemist, public health worker and federal employee – as they confront COVID, and find that the response from the US government is woefully inadequate.
The event is June 15 (7 p.m.). Click here to register.
Michael Lewis
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Speaking of entertainment: This is a week of animated adventures and classic comedies at the Remarkable Theater.
The Imperial Avenue drive-in features:
- “Zootopia” (Wednesday, May 19, 7:45 p.m.)
- “Minions” (Friday, May 21, 8 p.m.)
- “Happy Gilmore” (Saturday, May 22, 8:30 p.m.)
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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The Westport Woman’s Club’s 6th annual Art Show this Saturday and Sunday (May 22-23, 2 to 6 p.m.) features an all-star list of 14 area artists. They include Nina Bentley, Amy Bock, Trace Burroughs, Susan Fehlinger, Judith Orseck Katz, Tom Kretsch, Susan Leggitt, Kerry Long, Michael Ledner, Carole McClintock, Bernard Perry, Jon Puzzuoli, Katherine Ross and Jo Titsworth.
Plus light snacks and wine, of course. It would not be an art show without them.
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Everyone at Staples High School knows Laura Blair. She runs the copy machine room, and is a tireless fan of Wreckers sports teams.
She’s also one of STAR’s greatest fundraiser. For years she has participated in the non-profit’s annual Sherwood Island walk. Funds help serve hundreds of area people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This year’s STAR Walk is virtual. But Laura is working as hard as ever. So far her team has raised over $6,000 — more than half of her $12,000 goal.
“Stars” are just $1 each. Click here to help. To learn more about STAR Lighting the Way, click here.
Laura Blair is a fundraising STAR.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is from behind the pro shop, on the Longshore golf course:
(Photo/Tom Lowrie)
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And finally … was Eric Clapton really on that yacht off Compo years ago?
Gorgeous yacht but I believe Clapton’s is a motor yacht. Rumor is this one is Skip Lane’s. 🤣
I believe the yacht is the Rosehearty
Yes, Rosehearty, formerly Rupert Murdoch’s. Sold to Joey Kaempfer, so that’s the Westport connection.
Clapton’s yacht is a M/Y, it’s called Va Bene. I believe it’s for sale if anyone is looking!
I remember the yacht off Compo that everyone thought was Eric Clapton’s was named Blue Guitar.
Thank you sooo much for sharing that very special studio rendition of Sting’s song with Clapton…beautifully produced.
How about back in the day when the yacht in the same spot was Sinatra and Mia Farrow?
“How do I know if someone is vaccinated?”
Ask them who won the election.
/ducks for cover/