Most old Westport Country Playhouse photos show the famed “summer theater” during that season. Trees obscure the handsome one-time tannery.
The Playhouse season now begins earlier, and ends later. As they prepare for “From the Mississippi Delta” — their final production of 2022 — here’s a fascinating look, with the trees bare.
The photo is undated. But the Westport Country Playhouse is timeless. If you’ve got a Playhouse memory, click “Comments” below.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Stanton)
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Summer began when Ina Bradley stepped on stage and introduced the first play of the season…fond memories
I was an usher at the playhouse one year when it looked like this photo. I was 16. Being the new kid, I was assigned the balcony which was exceedingly hot. No air. But I was able to stay and see the whole show when I wanted to. A few years later I exhibited paintings in the lobby.
A friends mother was the graphic artist for ‘1776’ and gave us tickets to the play at the Westport Playhouse. I fell in love with the play and ended up ushering downstairs. Saw the play as often as I could. It fostered my interest in history to this day.
Then you might be interested in this (after Hamilton, it had to happen) new production on Broadway.
https://deadline.com/2022/10/1776-broadway-review-1235136437/
Its guiding philosophy is NOT “Ever to the Right. Never to the Left.”
I worked in the parking lot, directing traffic (barely). I was also an usher for a bit. A few years later I was a patron of “The Player’s Tavern.”
Steve Gilbert, as House Manager, hired Stapelites for the Playhouse. The more talendted became assitant stage capenters or stage managers; peons like myself worked the parking lot and concession stand. (This is mid to late 1960’s). Fun fact – the popcorn for the concession stand was stored in huge plastic bags under the stairs in the “Catacombs”. So if you remember the popcorn fondly … you shouldn’t trust your memory.