Westport didn’t really know what to expect when Martin Short took the stage of the Westport Country Playhouse. Of course, Short doesn’t show up alone—for the evening, he brought some of his best-known characters, including Ed Grimly, Nathan Thurm, and wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer. He played fun with the crowd with the Three Amigos and personal-space oblivious Jiminy Glick and good-sport of the year Shelly Kassen.
The comedic legend hosted the annual Stand Up for Homes With Hope Gala. Guests prepped for the laughs at a cocktail hour that featured a buffet with “Short” ribs and “Short” cake by Dash of Salt caterers. Jeff Wieser, president and CEO of Homes With Hope, kicked off the evening and shared a few words about the organization’s work to solve homelessness in our community, including the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place, temporary emergency shelters and other housing facilities.
A few of the people helped by the organization spoke briefly about what Homes With Hope has meant to them, putting a face to the all too real problem of homelessness in Fairfield County. Mr. Short’s performance lightened the mood with a generous and enthusiastic show of singing, impersonation and monologue.