Rashad in 'Sweet Bird' Among Upcoming Westport Shows

A production of Tennessee Williams' poetic drama Sweet Bird of Youth starring Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad will be among the hightlights of the Westport Country Playhouse's 2007/8 season, according to Variety.

Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun, Gem of the Ocean, "The Cosby Show") will play Princess Kosmonopolis in Sweet Bird of Youth, which will be directed by Westport Artistic Director Tazewell Thompson.

A play, which has yet to be announced, will be helmed by Joanne Woodward, the legendary actress who is Artistic Director Emeritus at Westport, in February of 2008.  Also on the line-up are Thompson's production of Jon Maran's A Strange and Separate People, in April, Craig Lucas' The Pavilion, directed by Associate Artistic Director Chad Rabinovitz, in June, Louis Tyrrell's production of David Wiltse's office comedy Scramble! in July, a new staging of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, directed by Anne Keefe, in October, and Thompson's adaptation of A Christmas Carol in December.  A May production will be announced.

Visit www.westportplayhouse.org for more information.

Photo of Phylicia Rashad by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.