Sig Hansen and Friends of the Northwestern Coming to Ridgefield Playhouse Tonight

Sigurd Jonny "Sig" Hansen is an American Captain of the fishing vessel Northwestern. Sig Hansen knows more about fishing than just about anyone and will share his tales at The Ridgefield Playhouse tonight, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. Sig is also an author and star of the reality TV series Deadliest Catch, which portrays the events that take place on fishing boats in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab fishing season. Although Sig has, so far, not suffered any major accidents on his ship, he has come very close, braving horrendous weather and waves that have almost sunk the boat. Others from Deadliest Catch will be joining him on stage to share their stories as well. The Ancient Mariner (451 Main St., Ridgefield) will pour a free glass of house wine with dinner the night of this show when tickets/stubs are presented. This event is full of adventure and intrigue, all about the deep blue sea, and is part of the Moffly Media Entertaining Conversations Series.

The son of a Norwegian fisherman, Sig began fishing at age 14. While still in high school, he served as a deckhand on a salmon gillnetter and joined his father aboard the family boat the Northwestern which worked the crab fisheries in Alaskan waters. After finishing high school, Sig took up fishing full time, spending many months every year in Alaska. At the young age of 22, he was already enough of a veteran to serve as a "relief captain" on the Northwestern. Four years later, he became the boat's full-time captain and one of the youngest ever to take command. Knowing that bringing back the catch was key to his success at the helm, Sig became a hard-driving captain who can push himself and his crew to work grueling hours under extreme conditions. Under that tough exterior, however, lies a fatherly and compassionate man who puts a premium on family responsibility. He extends his connection to family out to his crew. Sig kept deckhand Jake Anderson's slot open when Jake had to go ashore after his sister's death - something other skippers might have refused to do.

For tickets ($100 VIP includes Meet & Greet, open bar & hors-d'oeuvre from 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 pm, $65 orches., $50 mezz./balc.), call the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.