Our look back at Staples Players’ past shows continues today, with the fall 2005 production of “Children of Eden.”
David Roth and Kerry Long directed the 1991 musical. Based on the Book of Genesis, it tells the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Noah and the flood.
Longtime media teacher Jim Honeycutt created these “nutshells,” part of “06880”‘s continuing coverage of Players, yesterday and today.
He notes that some of actors in this show went on to bigger things.
Mia Gentile (Eve) starred on Broadway in “Kinky Boots.” She also made it onto “Good Morning America,” with hilarious Stanley Steemer ads.
Jacob Heimer (Adam) starred on Broadway in “Beautiful.” Adam Kaplan (Japheth) went on to star on Broadway too, in “A Bronx Tale.”
Drew Angus (Ham) is now a successful recording artist.
Congolese drums had never been heard in the Westport Library before yesterday — or perhaps in any other library, anywhere.
But there they were at 10 a.m., kicking off a jam-packed VersoFest Saturday with a dance and drum workshop.
Cumbe Dance, at the Westport Library. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Also yesterday: actress Gina Gershon discussed her new memoir, “AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs,” with journalist/rock memoirist (and Westport resident) Alisyn Camerota.
Gina Gerson, with Alisyn Camerota. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Last night ended with musician/writer/playwright/poet/visual artist/alt-rock legend David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets).
He read from his new poetry book “Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer,” was interviewed by author Douglas Rushkoff, and finished with a set of acoustic songs.
David J (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
The 5th annual music, media and more event concludes today (Sunday), with a panel on AI and the music industry (10:30 a.m.), a conversation with Capitol Theater owner and festival producer Dean Budnick (12 p.m.), a Suno workshop (12 p.m.), and a screening of “Grateful Dead: Dead Ahead” (2 p.m.).
Speaking of the Library: It’s a storied Westport institution.
So is Staples Players.
On Monday, April 6 (6:30 p.m.) they’ll collaborate for the first time ever, on a staged (and free!) reading.
David Roth’s Theatre 3 Advanced class presents “Almost, Maine.” The whimsical, funny and poignant show takes place as northern lights hover about a remote town. Residents fall in and out of love, in unexpected and hilarious ways.
And — because neither Players nor the Library ever does things halfway — playwright John Cariani will come to the reading, and lead a talkback afterward.
As promised, the new apartments being built at 85 Post Road West — between Kings Highway Elementary School and Riverside Avenue — include “affordable housing” based on state guidelines.
Applications are being accepted for the 22 1- and 2-bedroom units. The maximum rental prices are $2,100 and $2,511 respectively.
Applicants will be contacted first come, first served, and given the opportunity to submit supporting documentation and go through the verification process.
Click here for the submission form. Questions? Call 475-999-2445.
Early stages of construction last year, on Post Road West.
Speaking of new construction: As Coastal Luxury Homes prepares to convert 455 Post Road East — the former Connecticut Humane Society — to 25 apartments and 5 townhouses, they’re paying homage to the former tenants.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo comes from Michael Szeto.
After installing a birdfeeder this past week, his first visitor was a Cooper’s hawk. It frequently visits back yards, to prey on small birds drawn to feeders.
(Photo/Michael Szeto)
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And finally … on this date in 1871, Royal Albert Hall was opened by Queen Victoria.
Which brings to mind 2 songs by British bands, each of which mentions one of them.
(A day in our life includes a reminder that “06880” relies on the generosity of our readers. If you appreciate these daily Roundups — or anything else — please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
In the spring of 2004, Staples Players brought “City of Angels” to the stage.
Former media teacher Jim Honeycutt taped the Tony Award-winning musical, with dual story lines — and all of directors David Roth and Kerry Long’s shows.
This week, in our chronological look back at highlights of past productions — called “nutshells” –Spri we bring you back to that show about a Hollywood screenwriter, and his detective creation.
On Wednesday, Westport’s non-profit that works to end homelessness and food insecurity in Fairfield County welcomed the congressman to the Gillespie Center.
Homes with Hope staff, board members, community partners and local leaders thanked Himes for his continued advocacy in Washington, on behalf of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Himes met with HwH board chair Becky Martin, emeritus chair John Walsh, and board member Amanda Castellano, along with selectpersons Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich.
During the visit, a veteran now residing at the Gillespie Center thanked Himes for helping him obtain medical benefits. Another resident said that the congressman had helped her too.
Congressman Jim Himes (2nd from right), with 1st Selectman Kevin Christie (far left) and Homes with Hope staff members and friends.
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“Urinetown” opened last night, to a raucous reception.
Staples Players’ spring production of the Tony Award-winning satiric musical is a worthy successor to the fall’s “Les Misérables” (with a few winks and nods to that popular show).
The cast has a great time conveying the dystopian-with-a-song message. Young kids enjoy the potty humor; older ones, and adults, understand the deeper theme.
Westport’s next Hazardous Waste Day is Saturday, April 11 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Greens Farms railroad station).
The free program enables residents of Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich to safely dispose of household hazardous wastes.
Residents of those towns may bring these types of hazardous waste: gasoline, kerosene, spray paint, paint strippers, paint thinners, solvents, paints, stains, turpentine, varnishes, wood preservatives, degreasers, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, bleach, charcoal lighter, cleaning chemicals, drain cleaners, mercury thermometers, moth balls, pet flea shampoos, photo chemicals, rug shampoos, spot removers, art supplies and paints.
Make sure items are clearly labeled.
Never mix chemicals!
Keep products in their original labeled containers.
Place leaky containers in clear plastic bags.
Tighten lids of all containers, and pack items in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with paper.
Put boxes in the trunk or in back of the vehicle, away from passengers.
Leave pets and children home when bringing hazardous materials for collection.
Westport residents may recycle antifreeze, motor oil, batteries of any type, light bulbs and electronics at the transfer station on the Sherwood Island Connector, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon.
The following items are NOT acceptable: ammunition, flares, commercial hazardous waste.
Questions? Call Westport’s Public Works Department: 203-341-1793.
Program manager Gretchen Hoffman shows how small changes can make a big difference.
She leads a tour of her own kitchen, describing reusable product bags, a variety of storage containers, cutting boards and stainless steel cooking utensils.
A “maple syrup boil and demonstration” (March 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm) offers a chance to talk to WTF farmers about tapping and producing maple syrup, and to check out the Farm’s homestead-sized evaporator.
It’s also a great time to ask the farmers any general gardening questions.
Speaking still of the environment: The 2023 film “Common Ground” unveiled a dark web of money, power and politics behind our food system. But it also profiled farmers who use alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy.
Connecticut farmers feature prominently in the documentary.
The Westport Farmers’ Market is sponsoring a free showing this Sunday (March 15, 4:30 p.m., The Warehouse @ Fairfield Theatre Company). Click here to reserve a spot.
The Longshore golf course reservation system will transition from Chelsea to a new tee time reservation platform — ForeUp — ext week.
To ensure a smooth changeover, all handpass holders must log into their Chelsea account and confirm that their contact information is current before the system transfer.
The new reservation system requires each handpass holder to have a unique email address associated with their account. If multiple accounts share the same email address, or if account information is not updated prior to the transfer, delays or issues booking tee times at the start of the season may result.
Fore! (Photo/Susan Garment)
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Will this be Westport’s biggest tag sale ever?
On May 2, the Nolan Team at Compass is sponsoring a town-wide tag sale. Residents can participate by hosting a sale at their own home.
It’s a great way to get plenty of publicity. The Nolan Team handles all promotion (including a sign for your lawn or driveway). Your address will be included on a map, and all publicity.
Shoppers can plan their own route, and visit multiple sales all day.
To participate, and for more information, click here.
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The Westport Library is a town gem. The only 5-star library in the state offers an astonishing array of events, programs, services — even a state-of-the-art recording studio.
But it doesn’t just happen. A board of trustees provides guidance and oversight.
As upcoming vacancies loom, they’re looking for qualified, eager candidates.
Responsibilities include governance and fiduciary duties, strategic oversight, collaboration with leadership, financial stewardship and support, and more.
Candidates must be Westport residents. Fundraising experience and strong community connections are key. Skills in strategic planning, finance, law, nonprofit operations or areas supporting innovation and digital strategy are valued but not required.
Trustee appointments are for 4 years, this year beginning July 1. Interested candidates should email a resume and letter of interest to spresutto@westportlibrary.org by March 20.
Last weekend, she became the first Staples female wrestler ever to place in the state open tournament.
Amelia placed 6th, at 138 pounds. Great work, Amelia.
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Despite the dismal end to the week, the earlier part gave us hope that spring is lurking nearby — somewhere.
Amy Schneider spotted these snowdrops along the Library Riverwalk.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
May there be many more to follow.
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And finally … Today is the second straight month with a Friday the 13th.
That’s pretty rare. In fact, it can only happen in a non-leap year, when the first one is February. Enjoy!
(Despite the unlucky day, we are lucky to have you as an “06880” reader. And it will truly be our lucky day if you click here, to support our work. Thank you!)
So it was natural for the Staples Players director to choose “Merrily We Roll Along” as the spring 2003 production.
Former media teacher Jim Honeycutt taped it — and all of Roth’s shows.
This week, in our chronological look back at highlights of past productions, we bring you that memorable “Merrily.” Click here or below to see.
PS: This year’s spring show — “Urinetown” — debuts Thursday (March 12, 7 p.m.). It runs Friday and Saturday (March 13 and 14) at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday (March 14 and 15) at 2 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Big corporations are not charging us to take a leak — yet.
But the way things are going, you never know.
That dystopian — dysto-pee-an? — premise is the heart of “Urinetown.”
The curtain rises next week on Staples Players’ production of the Tony Award-winning satirical musical. There are 5 performances only: Thursday, March 12 (7 p.m.); Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14 (7:30 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15 (2 p.m.).
Grayson Jandora (center) as Officer Lockstock, with the ensemble of “Urinetown.”
This marks the third time that Players directors David Roth and Kerry Long have staged the darkly humorous show.
As with all Players revivals, there are important differences. The show is set in no specific time period. The first 2 times, Roth and Kerry imagined it in the 1940s. This time around, it’s a time “adjacent” to ours.
For the first time, there will be port-a-potties on stage.
And — in a nod both to “Urinetown’s” winking references to “Les Misérables,” and Players’ stunning production of that show last fall — Colin Walker, Jordan Janota and his tech crew have built a barricade out of toilet paper.
“Audiences who saw ‘Les Mis’ will definitely get the reference,” Long says.
She and Roth are as excited about this version as they were the first two.
“It’s very funny. The music and characters are great,” Roth says.
“And it’s really relevant today — the whole idea of big corporations taking advantage of poor people, and resources drying up.” (A 20-year drought has caused a government ban on private toilets; a single company now owns all the paid public toilets.)
Cat Betit (Penelope Pennywise) with Harry McLaughlin (Old Man Strong), and the ensemble. (Photos/Kerry Long)
The directors know that a show called “Urinetown” may cause parents with children to hesitate.
“It’s very appropriate for younger kids,” Roth says. “If your kids talk about peeing, this is fine for them.”
“Children will get the potty humor,” Long adds. “But adults understand the bigger themes — and they’re not as silly.”
As always, Players will collect donations for a good, theme-related cause. This time it’s a UNICEF’s Safe Water for Every Child Fund.
In a special twist, actors will be stationed at restroom doors during intermission. They won’t charge audience members to go — but they will have buckets for cash.
Posted onMarch 2, 2026|Comments Off on Roundup: Devil Wears Prada; Middle Schools Produce Plays; Mark Shanahan Judges Shakespeare …
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”).
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Devil Wears Prada; Middle Schools Produce Plays; Mark Shanahan Judges Shakespeare …
Today, we continue our journey into past Staples Players productions.
Since 2000 — when David Roth was named director of the prestigious high school drama troupe — Players has staged 2 powerful productions each year.
Longtime media instructor Jim Honeycutt filmed them all. Now retired, he has created 10-minute “nutshell” highlights of each show.
Each week, in chronological order, “06880” shares one of those nutshells.
Today, relive Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” from the spring of 2002. It stars someone whose name is familiar: Justin Paul.
Other Players in the show include Sarah Peterson, Emma Ritter, Caitlin Collins, Toby Burns, Daryl Wein, Haley Petersen, Katie Clark, Joanna Gang, Tyler Rackliffe, and many more.
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