Washington Antiques Show, With New Honorary Chair, Returns In October

WASHINGTON — Distinguished playwright Alfred Uhry has been named honorary chairman of the 14th Annual Washington Connecticut Antiques Show, to be held October 7 and 8.

“I am happy to be part of the Washington Connecticut Show,” said Mr Uhry. “It is always a stunning display of fine antiques and an exciting weekend. As a highly regarded show and a once-a-year opportunity to see dealers from across the country, it has the reputation of being a little gem visited by antiques enthusiasts near and far.”

A preview party, the first opportunity to browse the show as well as a chance to enjoy cocktails and delicious food, will take place on Friday, October 6, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The show benefits The Gunn Memorial Library and Museum.

“The preview party on Friday evening has become one of the anticipated events of the fall season,” Mr Uhry says, “It’s a great party and weekend for a great cause, and everyone looks forward to it.” A new and exciting event planned for the preview party this year is a treasure hunt of selected items in the dealers’ booths. Locating all six of them will qualify each “Sherlock Holmes” for a chance at cash prizes to be used for any purchase at the show.

The dealers who will be participating in the 14th annual Washington Connecticut Antiques Show hail from all over the country. These dealers travel thousands of miles to get to the show and collectively represent hundreds of years of experience in the antiques business.

Available items will include some of the best in period American, English and Continental furniture and accessories including prints, oil paintings, watercolors, Chinese Export, English ceramics, Quimper, Oriental rugs, silver, early glass, brassware, French cooking and wine antiques, high country and painted furniture, Shaker goods, top of the line folk art, and much more.

“The beautiful thing about the antiques show” said Mr Uhry, “is that it is simultaneously a grand tradition and exciting event, as well as a major fundraiser for the library and museum. Proceeds from the show are the single greatest private contribution to the library and museum, and make possible many of the continuing and new services, programs and exhibits provided to its constituency.”

Mr Uhry is the only playwright ever to win the “Triple Crown” – the Oscar, the Tony, and the Pulitzer Prize. His play Driving Miss Daisy won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize, as well as the Outer Critics Circle Award. His screenplay for Driving Miss Daisy won the 1989 Oscar as well as the Writers Guild Award, and the film was chosen Best Picture the same year.

Other films include Mystic Pizza and Rick in Love. The Last Night Ballyhoo won the 1997 Tony Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the American Theatre Critics Award.

His book for the musical Parade (music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, directed by Harold Prince) won the 1999 Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the New York Critics Association Award. He is currently as work on an HBO film about the Kitty Genovese murder, and a new, as yet untitled, play.

The Washington Antiques Show takes place at Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Route 47 in Washington Depot. Regular show hours are Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. General admission is $6. For information or preview party reservations, call 860/868-0780.