In 2003, Lauren Weisberger published “The Devil Wears Prada.”
The novel — based on her time as Anna Wintour’s assistant at American Vogue — was a bestseller.
But Weisberger was savaged. The New York Times called it “a mean-spirited ‘Gotcha!’ of a book” and “vampiric, second-order cruelty.” The Wall Street Journal said it “could have been written by a window washer.”
Weisberger — 26 years old — did not expect the reaction.
She probably also did not expect it to sell 13 million copies, and lead to a high 6-figure advance for her second book.
On May 1 — 20 years after the movie became its own classic — “The Devil Wears Prada 2” will be released. The cast — including Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep — returns.
What makes all this newsworthy — besides the fact that Hathaway used to live in Westport, and Stephanie Szostak does — is that Weisberger now lives here.
The Sunday Times of London published a long story on her yesterday. It notes: “Suburban Connecticut … has been the perfect inspiration for the dramas and satires of her commercial fiction (“When Life Gives You Lululemons”; “Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty”).
Click here to read the Times of London story. (Hat tip: Tom Prince)
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Curtains rise soon for Westport’s 2 middle school drama troupes.
Coleytown Company brings “Newsies” to the stage March 27-29. The musical was inspired by the true story of the 1899 newsboys’ strike in New York City, when exploited young newspaper sellers formed a union and struck against powerful publisher Joseph Pulitzer for fair pay.
Excitement around Coleytown’s show kicked off with a benefit concert last month. It featured 4 stars from Broadway’s “Newsies,” including Westport native Adam Kaplan. The next day, he taught a master class to the cast.
Show times are 7 p.m. on March 27 and 28; 1 p.m. on March 28 and 29. Click here for tickets, and more information. The Company’s Instagram is @coleytown_company.
Coleytown Company’s “Newsies.”
Bedford Theatre Community presents “The Little Mermaid” March 19-22. Opening Night is “Students’ Night Out.” With no school the next day (teachers’ professional development), youngsters will celebrate their 7th and 8th grade cast and crew friends.
Show times are 7 p.m. March 19, 20 and 21; 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Staples Players’ production of “Urintetown.” It’s one week only: March 12-14. Click here for tickets, and more information.
A full story on the production will be posted on “06880” soon.
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Westporters are great supporters of Mercy Learning Center.
They serve on its board, volunteer at and donate to the Bridgeport non-profit, which impacts countless women’s lives — and those of their families — through education and support services.
On March 12 (6 p.m., Park City Music Hall, Bridgeport), everyone — those connected with MLC, and those who just heard of it — is invited to their first “Raise Her Voice” fundraiser.
A host of musicians — including very popular Band Central — will play rock and soul There are raffles and food too. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Mark Shanahan knows playwrights.
So it’s no surprise that the Westport Country Playhouse artistic director will help judge the 41st annual English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition in Greenwich on Wednesday.
Twenty students chosen through school competitions throughout Connecticut will present a monologue and sonnet. The winner advances to the national competition at Lincoln Center next month.
For Shanahan, the event is déjà vu. As a teen, he participated in a branch competition for the same program.
“I was very nervous and not very good, I fear,” he recalls.
“But it was fun. I had terrible stage fright as a teen, and got over it in college.”
Mark Shanahan (Photo/Mark Smith)
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Snow is melting at different rates, all over town.
Grass is already visible in some spots. At others — like Newman Poses Preserve, the site of today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo — there’s still plenty left.
(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
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And finally … in honor of Lauren Weisberger’s novel and movies:
(Please allow us to introduce ourselves: We’re your hyper-local blog. The nature of our game? Just that we rely on readers’ support. Please click here — woo-hoo!)
