This week, the Westport Country Playhouse is preparing for the September 14 gala fundraiser with Kristin Chenoweth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell, celebrating the music of Cy Coleman.
The Playhouse has undergone many changes in its 93-year history.
For a long time there was a new play every week. All summer long, audiences flocked to see Broadway stars.
Actors, meanwhile, loved the intimacy of the Playhouse — and the fun-loving, artsy little town of Westport.
This photo, from 1949, shows the cast of an unnamed show, posing outside the theater.
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc, via Facebook)
Within a few years, the advent of television would change theater forever.
In this decade, COVID threatened live performances, across the country. A year ago, the Playhouse camethisclose to bankruptcy.
But now — with a new board, new artistic director, and new vision — the Playhouse pulses with life and promise.
Still, it would be hard to recreate the joy and wonder shown in the photo above.
Then again, they are actors …
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We came in the 60s and attended almost every show, and our children greatly benefited from their wonderful children’s shows all summer long.
Thanks for the reminder. I just purchased tickets.
I read that F. Murray Abraham will host the evening and there will also be performances by Laura Benanti, Raul Esparza, Norm Lewis, Bonnie Mulligan, Debra Monk and Lillias White.
I believe they are all Tony Award Winners.
Kudos to the Playhouse for bringing such names to the Playhouse.