CT's Westport Country Playhouse Receives NEA Grant

Westport Country Playhouse, led by artistic director Tazewell Thompson and managing director Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, has received its first-ever grant from The National Endowment for the Arts in the category of Access to Artistic Excellence, for $15,000.  The grant will support the world premiere production of the Thompson-directed political thriller, Sedition, playing August 2 through August 18. The show was written by David Wiltse, the Playhouse's playwright-in-residence.

"It is fitting that Westport Country Playhouse's first recognition by The National Endowment for the Arts be directed toward a new play by David Wiltse, who has a history of acclaimed productions at the Playhouse, beginning 20 years ago" stated Thompson in the press release. "This is a most prestigious honor for David's newest work and for the Playhouse where it will be staged this summer."

The grant to Westport Country Playhouse is one of 951 grants, totaling $67,348,450, awarded by NEA in April. The grants will benefit arts organizations all over the country in the categories of Access to Artistic Excellence, Arts on Radio and Television, Learning in the Arts, Partnerships, and American Masterpieces.

Press notes state, "In Sedition, playwright Wiltse questions with razor sharp dialogue---and not without a sense of humor---what it means to stand up for something in which one believes. Set in Lincoln, Nebraska during World War I, Sedition is the true story of a prominent professor of history at a Midwestern university who is forced to defend his freedom of speech—and pays the price for his courage."

Westport Country Playhouse's 2007 season also includes Souvenir, a comedy based on a true story by Stephen Temperley, directed by Vivian Matalon, May 31 through June 16; Mary's Wedding, a love story by Stephen Massicotte, directed by Tazewell Thompson, June 21 through July 7; Relatively Speaking, a romantic comedy by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by John Tillinger, July 12 through July 28; Being Alive - Sondheim Meets Shakespeare, a new musical revue with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, conceived and directed by Billy Porter, additional text by William Shakespeare, August 24 through September 9; and The Turn of the Screw, a thriller adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the story by Henry James, directed by Davis McCallum, October 11 through October 27.

Subscription ticket packages to Westport Country Playhouse's 2007 season are on sale now, starting at $133.75.  Single tickets start at $30. 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 more information about subscribing or to receive a brochure, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit the box office at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. More information is available at www.westportplayhouse.org.
 

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