The Westport Country Playhouse Is Ready for Its Encore.
In 2023, the Westport Country Playhouse elected new leadership to its board of trustees to shape the future of this iconic piece of Westport’s history. Chairwoman of the Board of Directors Athena Adamson, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors Alison Smith, New Artistic Director, and well-known writer/director Mark Shanahan, and Acting Managing Director Beth Husking envision the Playhouse as a home for our community, a gathering place for old and young.
The goal is to have an event on-stage or in the barn every week. While large concerts like Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin and serious theater will take center stage, smaller events such as cocktail parties and cabaret concerts will ensure the Playhouse never goes dark.
Children-family-specific programming with continue to evolve and become one of the Playhouse’s new cornerstones. Shanahan, is a big believer in the importance of experiencing live theater with your kids, so family-friendly events like A Sherlock Carol, a heartwarming holiday production for everyone, and The Lightning Thief, recommended for children grades 3 to 6, are highlights not to be missed.
“It will always be a Playhouse and theater will always be at its core”, says Smith. To that end, the Playhouse will still produce its own series of theatrical events between September and March, while continuing to bring Westporters major events like First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches Sings Ella. If you haven’t already experienced their popular Script In Hand playreading series, don’t miss out. These readings bring actors together for one day to rehearse and perform a play on a bare stage, with simple lighting and you. Actors, audience, and the director come together to create a unique, one-night-only experience.
While music has always been an important part of the Playhouse experience, new programming will include concerts as well. From rock bands and legendary singers to comedians and one-woman shows, Westport now has a new concert venue.
If all of this wasn’t already enough, film screenings are also on the horizon. Something for everyone perhaps, but not only with a commitment to bring Westport the highest quality entertainment but also to create a space that provides a sense of discovery and, ultimately, joy.