Paul Newman Steps Down As 'Mice' Director @ Westport

Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, Artistic Directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, Managing Director) announced that distinguished actor and director Paul Newman, who was slated to direct the fall production, "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, will step down from making his directorial debut at the Playhouse due to health issues.  Tony Award-nominated director Mark Lamos will take the helm in Newman's place.

Newman said, "I'm very sorry I can't be part of this Westport Country Playhouse production, but I leave 'Of Mice and Men' in Mark Lamos' very capable hands with the full support of my wife, Joanne Woodward, and Anne Keefe as Playhouse artistic directors."

"We are delighted to have Mark working with us," said Ms. Woodward. "We've tried several times to bring him to the Playhouse, and we're sure he will deliver a beautiful production."

Mark Lamos is a director of plays, musicals and opera.  The New York Times called him "a poet of the theater" and his work received a chapter in "100 Great Directors," along other legendary directors of the 20th century.  Lamos spent 17 seasons as artistic director of Hartford Stage, for which he accepted the Tony Award in 1989.  During his tenure, he staged acclaimed productions of classics, new plays and musicals, many of which moved from Hartford to New York and beyond. Lamos received the Connecticut Arts Award and three honorary doctorates for his work at Hartford Stage.  He made his Broadway directing debut with a transfer of "Our Country's Good," for which he received a Tony nomination.  His other Broadway credits include "Cymbeline," "Seascape," "The Rivals," "The Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm" and "The Deep Blue Sea."  Off-Broadway credits include "Tiny Alice" (Lortel Award, Drama Desk nomination) and "Measure for Measure" (Lortel Award).  Lamos' opera credits include the Met, NYC Opera and PBS's "Central Park" (Emmy nomination).

The enduring masterpiece, "Of Mice and Men," scheduled October 7 through November 1, is based on John Steinbeck's 1937 tale of two traveling companions, George and Lennie. George dreams of owning land and being his own boss.  His mentally challenged partner, Lennie, simply dreams of playing with rabbits.  Having encountered problems at their last job, George and Lennie are forced to flee to a new farm for work, until Lennie's simple-minded strength gets them into trouble. Tony Award-winning designer Michael Yeargan will be scenic designer, with the legendary Jane Greenwood as costume designer. John Gromada will compose and do sound design.

 Current ticket holders who have questions about the directorial change may call the Playhouse's patron services office at (203) 227-4177.

Westport Country Playhouse's performance schedule is Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.  Special series feature Previews, Opening Nights, TalkBack Thursdays, Prologue, Symposium Sundays, Backstage Pass and Open Captioning.

Celebrating its 78th season, the venerable Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, Artistic Directors; Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, Managing Director) is creating innovative new works and dynamic revivals. The Playhouse has produced more than 700 plays, 36 of which later transferred to Broadway including "Come Back, Little Sheba" with Shirley Booth; "The Trip to Bountiful" with Lillian Gish; "Butterflies Are Free" with Keir Dullea and Blythe Danner; "Absurd Person Singular" with Sandy Dennis, Geraldine Page and Tony Roberts; and "Our Town" with Paul Newman.  The list of actors, directors, and other theatre artists who have worked and continue to perform on the Playhouse's legendary stage reads like a "Who's Who" of the American theatre.  Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2005, the Playhouse now produces year-round, welcoming 85,000 audience members annually. In addition to a full season of theatrical productions, the Playhouse presents educational programming and workshops; a children's theatre series; symposiums; music; films; and readings of short fiction, classical works and new plays.  Westport Country Playhouse serves as a treasured home for the theatrical arts, its audiences and its artists.  For the State of Connecticut, it is a true cultural landmark. Your experience begins at www.westportplayhouse.org.

"Of Mice and Men" is sponsored by Northwester Mutual Financial Network.  Corporate Partner is SPECS. Board of Trustees sponsors are Kate and Bob Devlin. The Playhouse is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

Single tickets range from $30 to $55; opening night tickets, including post-performance reception, are $65. Students and educators are eligible for 50% discounts.  Groups of 10 or more save up to 30% off the regular ticket price.  For group sales information call (203) 227-5137, x120.

For reservations or more information, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Information about the Playhouse is also available at www.westportplayhouse.org.