Carly Mensch News

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium with guest speaker Francesca Coppa, foremost American expert on the British playwright Joe Orton, following the Sunday, July 21, 3 p.m. matinee performance of Orton's "Loot," a wickedly funny send-up of larcenous, lascivious behavior among the English middle classes.

To kick off its third production of the season, 'Loot' by Joe Orton, Westport Country Playhouse will host a free film screening of 'Prick Up Your Ears,' the 1987 film adaptation of Orton's biography, starring Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, and Vanessa Redgrave, and directed by Stephen Frears, on Sunday, July 14, 4 p.m., in the Playhouse's Sheffer Studio. The screening is free-of-charge by reservation through the Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177. Free popcorn and beverages will be available.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the British farce, "Loot," a wickedly funny send-up of larcenous, lascivious behavior among the English middle classes, written by Joe Orton and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, playing from July 16 through August 3. The play won the coveted Evening Standard Award for Best Play in 1967.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) is now accepting applications for Play Group, a vibrant and eclectic group of emerging writers who gather twice a month at Ars Nova to share new work and get peer feedback. The group offers members the chance to develop their plays with peer support; to be inspired by each other's work; to form collaborative relationships; and to build a strong sense of community within Ars Nova. All emerging playwrights are eligible for membership. If selected, new members will be invited to join for a period of two years beginning in January of 2014.

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium about the classic comedy, 'The Show-Off,' and the work and life of playwright George Kelly, following today's June 16, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the funny and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth.

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium about the classic comedy, 'The Show-Off,' and the work and life of playwright George Kelly, following the Sunday, June 16, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the funny and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth.

Ars Nova announces the lineup for its 6th Annual ANT Fest. This year's festival of All New Talent runs from today, June 3 - 29, featuring fresh new work from some of New York's most exciting emerging artists. From trapeze thrillers to hip-hop basketball musicals, 2013's ANT Fest heats up Ars Nova this summer with four weeks of comedy, music, theater and a fusion of all three you won't see anywhere else.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will host two initiatives giving behind-the-scenes looks at the process of developing and producing new plays for local theatergoers and theater professionals from around the country alike. As part of the eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, Steppenwolf continues First Look 101, a unique two-month experience from June 1 - August 10 that takes enrolled participants on a backstage journey through all aspects of the new play development process-from the first rehearsal to the final performance. In addition, Steppenwolf hosts a Professionals' Weekend, August 8 - 11, during which theater practitioners join Steppenwolf in conversation about new plays, and attend First Look productions and readings in addition to special industry events.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the classic comedy, "The Show-Off," described as a funny, surprising, and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth, playing from June 11 through June 29. Cast in principal roles are 2013 Drama Desk Award winner Jayne Houdyshell as the imperious Mrs. Fisher, and Drama Desk nominee Will Rogers as Aubrey Piper, the show-off of the title.

Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for its current production of A. R. Gurney's 'The Dining Room,' an extra performance has been added on Sunday, May 19, at 3 p.m. The witty and heartfelt story of the American family and its vanishing traditions is directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.

Westport Country Playhouse's five-play 2013 season will open with A.R. Gurney's 'The Dining Room,' a witty and heartfelt story of the American family and its vanishing traditions, directed by Mark Lamos, April 30 - May 18. This year the historic Connecticut theater celebrates its 83rd season.

Westport Country Playhouse's Script in Hand playreading of the romantic comedy 'Beau Jest' by James Sherman, a former actor/writer for Chicago's Second City, will be presented for one-night-only, tonight, March 18, 7 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse will host a "2013 Season Kick-off Block Party," on Saturday, April 13, 4 to 7 p.m., offering a fun, party-like atmosphere with food trucks, special ticket offers, and a look at the Playhouse's "backstage experience." Admission is free and open to the public.

Casting is announced for Westport Country Playhouse's Script in Hand playreading of the romantic comedy 'Beau Jest' by James Sherman, a former actor/writer for Chicago's Second City, on one-night-only, Monday, March 18, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

With less than two months before the curtain goes up on Westport Country Playhouse's 2013 season, single tickets are now on sale, beginning Tuesday, March 5, at noon. Single tickets may be purchased by phone at 203-227-4177, in person at 25 Powers Court, Westport, 24/7 online at westportplayhouse.org, or by using the new Playhouse App or mobile website.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced a world premiere play along with a New York premiere new musical which will be presented as part of the company's eleventh annual Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series this summer: Erica Lipez's The Tutors, directed by Thomas Kail and Murder For Two with Book and Music by Joe Kinosian and Book and Lyrics by Kellen Blair.

Westport Country Playhouse's next Script in Hand playreading will be the romantic comedy, 'Beau Jest' by James Sherman, a former actor/writer for Chicago's Second City, on one-night-only, Monday, March 18, 7 p.m. Director is Anne Keefe, Playhouse artistic advisor. Casting will be announced soon.