WCP Adds More Dates to 'Our Town' Celebration Honoring Newman

Westport Country Playhouse announced that due to the exceptional ticket demand for "Our Town," a joyful gathering at the Playhouse for the community to celebrate the life of Paul Newman, two extra dates have been added on Thursday, November 20, and Friday, November 21. Two previously announced gatherings and screenings are scheduled on Saturday, November 22.

The added community gatherings with refreshments will begin at 7 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. by the film of Westport Country Playhouse's 2002 production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" with Mr. Newman as the Stage Manager.

Newman, husband of Westport Country Playhouse artistic director Joanne Woodward, passed away on September 26, 2008.  He appeared in Westport Country Playhouse productions of "Love Letters" (2000), "Ancestral Voices" (2000 and 2002), "For the Children" (2001), "Trumbo" (2004), "Come Be My Love" (2007) and a revival of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" (2002), which transferred to Broadway and was filmed for Showtime and PBS.  He was a member of the Playhouse's advisory council to the board of trustees since 2000.

Support for the event is provided by Northeast Tent Productions, PBS, Plaid, Preferred Printing, Showtime, Westport Minuteman and Westport News.

To reserve free-of-charge tickets, contact the Westport Country Playhouse Box Office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit the Playhouse at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.