Susanna Salk to Discuss Latest Book at Westport's 'Books Worth Talking About' 5/07

Susanna Salk, author of A Privileged Life: Celebrating WASP Style, will speak at "Books Worth Talking About," on Tuesday, May 7, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Lucille Lortel White Barn Center at Westport Country Playhouse. David Smith, of Cablevision, will moderate. The literary salon will be followed by an 8 p.m. performance of the A. R. Gurney's The Dining Room, a witty and heartfelt observation of life among White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director.

Reservations for the "Books Worth Talking About" literary salon are necessary. RSVP at marketing@westportplayhouse.org or The Playhouse box office at (203)-227-4177.

Salk will discuss the timeless fascination with America's leisure class. She will explore the glamorous and mysterious WASP lifestyle and how it has influenced trends in the worlds of fashion, home design, and pop culture, themes that are prevalent as well in The Dining Room.

In addition to "A Privileged Life, Celebrating WASP Style," Salk is the author of "Weekend Retreats" and the bestselling "Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play." Her latest book is "C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon," the first pictorial book celebrating the iconic style of C.Z. Guest, the American author, columnist, horsewoman, fashion designer, muse, and socialite.

"Books Worth Talking About," a partnership between Westport Country Playhouse and Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc., provides an opportunity to interact with prominent authors and explore ideas and themes to enrich the theater-going experience. Topics of the literary salons and theatrical productions are designed to complement each other.

Salk helped launch Elle Decor magazine as interior design manager and later became a contributing editor there before ultimately going on to become special projects editor at House and Garden magazine until its closing. Today, Salk appears regularly on NBC's "Today Show" to discuss design style for the home. She is also a contributing editor to 1stdibs.com and ivillage.com.

Moderator David Smith is the host of Cablevision's "Meet the Leaders," a TV interview program talking with Connecticut leaders about local, regional and state wide issues, and hosts a similar program in New York State as well. During his more than 20 years on News12 CT, Smith was seen anchoring the news and co-hosted "The Exchange," where he conducted over 20,000 interviews with people from around the region and the world. He also was the morning personality for over 21 year on 1350 WNLK in Norwalk, and the host of "David Smith's Exchange," a daily radio talk show on WICC 600.

Gurney's The Dining Room is set in the dining room of a typical well-to-do household, the place where the family assembles daily for breakfast and dinner and for any and all special occasions. The action is comprised of a mosaic of interrelated scenes-some funny, some touching, some rueful. The actors change roles, personalities, and ages as they portray a wide variety of characters, from little boys to stern grandfathers, and from giggling teenage girls to Irish housemaids. Each vignette introduces a new set of people and events. Dovetailing swiftly and smoothly, the varied scenes coalesce into a unique theatrical experience.

Salk's books will be available for purchase at the event from Playhouse community partner Fairfield University Bookstore.

Sponsor of the Literary Salon is Catamount Wealth Management.

Westport Country Playhouse is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, professional theater under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos and management leadership of Michael Ross. The Playhouse creates five live theater experiences, produced at the highest level, from April through November. Its vital mix of works---dramatic, comedic, occasionally exploratory and unusual---expands the audience's sense of what theater can be. The depth and scope of its productions display the foremost theatrical literature from the past---recent as well as distant---in addition to musicals and premieres of new plays. During the summer, The Playhouse is home to the Woodward Internship Program, renowned for the training of aspiring theater professionals. Winter at The Playhouse, from November through March, offers events outside of the main season---Family Festivities presentations and Script in Hand play readings. In addition, businesses and organizations are encouraged to rent the handsome facility for their meetings, receptions and fundraisers.

For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org.

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