For the 84th year in a row, the Staples High School Music Department presented its gift to the town: the Candlelight Concert.
Performances continue today, at 3 and 8 p.m. All tickets were already claimed, weeks ago.
Tomorrow’s “06880” will offer a full photographic portrait of the very special event. Here is one scene, from early last night:
(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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New York Times chief theater critic Jesse Green gave a rave review to “Cult of Love,” the new show that opened Thursday at the Helen Hayes Theater.
He likes the “rip-roaring home-for-the-holidays dramedy” for its plot, direction, music and more.
He also praises playwright Leslye Headland. This is the 1999 Staples High School graduate’s Broadway debut. But she’s earned kudos before, as a playwright, screenwriter and director (“Bachelorette,” “Sleeping With Other People,” “Russian Doll,” “The Acolyte”).
“Cult of Love” is Headland’s final work in a series called “Seven Deadly Plays.” Inspired by the 7 deadly sins, this one is about pride. It was first staged in Los Angeles in 2018.
The play focuses on 4 adult children of one family and their partners, coming home for a contentious holiday gathering.
Green writes: “Though ‘Cult of Love,’ like many unhappy family reunion plays, draws big buckets of humor from the toxic brew of religion and repression, those buckets also draw blood.
“Headland knows just how to get there, suggesting deep familiarity with the territory. But she also has a gift for complication and construction, as was already evident in “Bachelorette,” her Bridezillas Gone Wild breakthrough play of 2010…. Loading pattern on pattern — a holiday-season design don’t for most — is for her an opportunity to dizzy us down to hell.”
Click here for the full Times review. Click here for more information about “Cult of Love.” (Hat tip: Tommy Greenwald)
Leslye Headland
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This is a very busy time of year.
But if you still need something to do, check out this calendar (courtesy of Westport’s Department of Human Services):
Today (Saturday, December 14, 1 to 3:30 p.m.): Gingerbread Cookie Decorating, Westport Museum for History & Culture ($15 per pair)
Today and tomorrow (December 14-15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Westport Police and PAL toy drive at ASF, Awesome Toys and The Toy Post
December 17 (3 to 5 p.m.): Ornament Making, Westport Museum for History & Culture ($5 entry includes hot cocoa and all materials for group of 2)
December 18, 19, 20, 21 (7 p.m.): “Together at the Table”: Family dinner and “A Sherlock Carol,” Westport Country Playhouse
December 19 (4:30 p.m.): Lighthouse and Holiday Movie Night, Toquet Hall
December 19 (1:15 p.m.): Play With Your Food table reading, Westport Senior Center
December 19 (2:30 p.m.): The Jazz Rabbi, with guitarist Paul Bollenback, Westport Senior Center
December 20 (7 p.m.): “The Nightmare Before Christmas” drop-by movie night, Toquet Hall
December 20, 21, 22: 1940s Christmas by Candlelight Tours of the Coley House; $25 advanced tickets required; click here
December 27 (5 to 11 p.m.): Alumni Night, Toquet Hall (free)
Toquet Hall is one of many places with activities this month.
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The Board of Education’s Policy Committee meets Wednesday (December 18, 9 a.m., Town Hall Room 307), with a wide-ranging agenda.
They’ll discuss the first reading of possible revisions to graduation requirements; admission to the Westport Public Schools at or before age 5 and assignment to grade levels; and student attendance, truancy and chronic absenteeism.
The committee will also discuss health concerns “such as lice,” and a possible new civility policy.
meanwhile, the Long Lots School Building Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed to Wednesday (December 18, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 307/309. The agenda has not yet been posted.
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Speaking of schools: All month long, Kings Highway Elementary School students have collected gifts for their annual Holiday Bear drive.
Each year, the Connecticut Education Foundation’s Holiday Bear provides gifts for children whose families face financial or other hardships.
The KHS Caring Council helped package 25 Holiday Bear bags.
Meanwhile, yesterday the school helped raise funds for Connecticut Children’s Hospital.
Students also wore pajamas as part of a statewide spirit day.
It’s been an eventful month for Kings Highway!
A few of Kings Highway’s many holiday bags.
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John McKinney is the newest member of the Connecticut Mirror’s board of directors.
The Mirror is state’s non-profit, non-partisan, digital source for public policy, government and politcal news.
McKinney — a descendant of Westport’s famed Bedford family — is also a trustee of the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
The former State Senate minority leader and a Republican candidate for governor, he was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont to the Liquor Control Commission in 2021.
McKinney serves on the advisory board of Operation Hope, a homeless shelter in Fairfield. He and his family help provide housing and care for people with AIDS through the Stewart B. McKinney Foundation. It is named for his father, the longtime US Congressman from Westport’s district.
John McKinney
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The quiet geometry of a Compo Beach low tide highlights today’s “Westport … Naturally” image.
(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
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And finally … on this date in 1819, Alabama became the 22nd US state.
(Whether you’re here in Westport, way down in Alabama, or anywhere else, “06880” is your hyper-local source for news, events and much more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Since the Candlelight Concert is always sold out, is it possible to live stream or post a video after the event?
Unfortunately, no. There are issues with copyrights and public broadcasting of some of the songs.
There used to be a company called Rizzo Records in Norwalk that would tape every performance of the SHS Music Department and then offer the old fashioned (but very effective) vinyl product for sale. Or maybe Cosmo Kramer could be induced to provide a bootleg copy on YouTube.
Interned for Congressman McKinney during Watergate while at undergraduate in DC. Good guy. Nancy Boyd, the daughter of Westport’s city attorney, also did.
Stewart B. McKinney was a fantastic U.S. Representative!
Yes, as Eric Buchroeder mentioned ,Blaise Rizzo,of Norwalk, also then taped every concert of Weston Jr. High,1960’s and later Weston High School,1970’s.
Stewart B. McKinney is on a short list of the finest members of Congress I have known. I had no idea he was a Bedford. Congratulations to John McKinney.
I have a semi-decent pirate video of “Sing We Noel” from Friday’s performance. Video is shaky; audio is great. This was the 50th anniversary of my senior year singing Sing We Noel in the Staples Choir. I shed a few tears every time I hear this song. Am I permitted to post my recording?