Westport Country Playhouse 74th Summer Season Will Be On the Road

RIDGEFIELD — Joanne Woodward, the artistic director of Westport Country Playhouse, announced, “We’re hitting the highway!” for the Playhouse’s 74th summer season, which will open June 24.

“Our home in Westport is undergoing much needed renovations, so we’re going on a road trip in 2004,” said Ms Woodward. “Our journey will lead us to venues throughout Fairfield County, and through the highways and byways of our imaginations.”

The adventure begins in Ridgefield, where Westport Country Playhouse will stage two full productions at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts.

The first artistic destination is 1980s Beirut, Lebanon, the setting for Frank McGuinness’ Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.  Ethan McSweeny will direct the season opener, which will run June 24 to July 11.

Inspired by a true story, the timely drama depicts the imprisonment of three Westerners in the Middle East and the bonds formed between them thanks to wit, imagination, and indomitable human spirit.

The second in the two-play Ridgefield series, July 29 to August 15, will bring audiences to 17th Century France for Moliere’s classic comedy, The School for Husbands, translated by Richard Wilbur. The play will be directed by Doug Hughes, who last season directed the acclaimed All My Sons in Westport.

Every bit as entertaining today as it was when written in 1661, the uproarious plot pits two brothers against each other as their young brides-to-be assert their independence.

Performances are Tuesdays at 7 pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 4 and 8:30; and Sundays at 2 and 7 pm.

Please note the opening Saturday performance (June 26 and July 31) will each have 7:30 pm curtains.

Also, the first Wednesday of each run will feature a symposium, when guest speakers will discuss the background of the play, its historical context, and its meaning for today.

The final Thursday of each run will offer a “Talk Back,” when the audience can meet the artists for Q&A following the performance.

Detour To

An Arts Festival

“Between the two plays, we’ll take a detour with an Arts and Film Festival,” said Ms Woodward. “The programming offers a tour of the kind of special events we plan to present year-round in the future at our renovated playhouse.”

The Second City National Touring Company will kick off the festival on Friday, July 16, at 8 pm, at The Ridgefield Playhouse. Performing a special medley of classic scenes, songs, social satire, and improvisation, The Second City’s National Touring Company is original, daring and hilarious. Famed alumni include John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner.

The 8th Annual Doo-Wop and Oldies Spectacular, a concert of classics from the 50s and 60s on Saturday, July 17, at 8 pm, will feature Emil Stucchio and The Classics (“Till Then”), The Shangri-Las (“Leader of the Pack”) and Kenny Vance and the Planotones (“Looking for an Echo”).

Time for Three, a string trio playing an eclectic mix of jazz, bluegrass and classical, and one of the hottest, young, up-and-coming groups around, are set for Friday, July 23, at 8 pm.

A guided tour through Hollywood films will feature special guests talking about their movies and their experiences making them, in collaboration with the Fairfield Community Theater. The film series will be at Fairfield Community Theater, and all films begin at 7 p.m.

The film series kicks off with Gene Wilder showing his black and white classic Young Frankenstein on Tuesday, June 29. Mr Wilder will be interviewed by New York Times critic Janet Maslin, who is also board president of The Jacob Burns Film Center.

Next on the tour is Jane Powell, on July 6, who will show and discuss her film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Ms Powell will be joined on stage by Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne.

Joanne Woodward will be joined by her good friend Stewart Stern, the author of many classic films including Rebel Without a Cause, Sybil, and the film the two will present, their film Rachel, Rachel, on Tuesday, July 20, and Thursday, July 22. The second program of Rachel, Rachel will take place at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

Returning to Fairfield, the film series will wrap on August 3 will be Keir Dullea, interviewed by Brooks Newspaper critic Susan Granger, showing his sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Special Engagement:

Newman In Trumbo

In a special limited engagement, available only to current Westport Country Playhouse subscribers and donors of $100 and more, Paul Newman will portray the title role in Trumbo at The Ridgefield Playhouse. There will be six evening performances, Tuesday through Thursday, July 13-15, and Monday through Wednesday, July 19-21.

The final performance on July 21 will be a benefit performance to raise funds to support the playhouse’s annual operations, with a reception following the show. Call the Westport Playhouse for details, 203-226-0153.

Roadmap To Tickets

The two-play subscription series at The Ridgefield Playhouse, offering best seating and substantial savings, is on sale now. Arts Festival tickets are also on sale now.

Non-subscription tickets to the two-play series will be available beginning Tuesday, June 8, at 10 am, at The Ridgefield Playhouse or via mail, fax, phone or online. The box office at Westport Country Playhouse is closed.

The not-for-profit Westport Country Playhouse will re-open in 2005, in time to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

For 2004 subscription information call 203-226-0153. For a complete 2004 season schedule and directions to the various temporary venues visit www.WestportPlayhouse.org