Westport Country Playhouse Extends SING FOR YOUR SHAKESPEARE Through 6/28

Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for its current production of the world premiere musical revue, "Sing for Your Shakespeare," extra performances have been added on Thursday through Saturday, June 26 - 28, at 8 p.m.

In addition to positive audience response, critics are applauding the production with Westport News saying, "...Westport Country Playhouse has a hit, a palpable hit, on its hands...there are so many stellar moments that, as you leave the theater, you wish what you had just seen was a film that you could rent and immediately watch again ... and again."

Featuring a six-member cast of Broadway talents and Playhouse favorites, the production explores how the American Songbook has been inspired for decades by Shakespeare's works. Music highlights include selections from Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate," based on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's "West Side Story," based on "Romeo and Juliet," and Rodgers and Hart's "The Boys from Syracuse," based on "The Comedy of Errors," as well as songs by Duke Ellington, Frank Loesser, and others, all influenced by the words of Shakespeare.

Directed by Playhouse artistic director Mark Lamos, co-conceived by Wayne Barker, Lamos, and Deborah Grace Winer, with musical direction by Barker, and choreography by Dan Knechtges, the show is based on an original idea and production for 92nd Street Y's Lyrics & LyricistsTM, New York.

The cast includes Karen Akers, who appeared in Broadway's "Nine," for which she won a Theatre World Award, and "Grand Hotel," and the films "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Heartburn." Britney Coleman's credits include Westport Country Playhouse's "Into the Woods," and New York's "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," the original iteration of "Sing for Your Shakespeare" for 92Y's Lyrics & LyricistsTM last year.

Darius de Haas performed in Westport Country Playhouse's "Twelfth Night," and Broadway's "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" and "Rent." He received an Obie Award for "Running Man." Stephen DeRosa was in Broadway's "Betrayal," "The Nance," "Hairspray," "Twentieth Century," "Henry IV," and "Into the Woods."

Constantine Germanacos' credits include Broadway's "Evita," and TheatreWorks Palo Alto's "The Light in the Piazza," for which he earned a SFBATCC Award. Laurie Wells was in Broadway's "Mamma Mia!," and Off-Broadway/Regional's "Swing!," "City of Angels," "42nd Street," and "Ragtime."

"Sing for Your Shakespeare" received special funding by Maureen and Edwin Schloss. Production Sponsors are Howard J. Aibel; Czekaj Artistic Productions; Kate and Bob Devlin, The Devlin Foundation; Barbara and John Samuelson; and Barbara and John Streicker. Corporate Production Sponsors are First Niagara Bank and KPMG.

The musical revue's running time is approximately 90 minutes; no intermission.

Now available are 2014 4-play subscriptions, including online purchasing capability 24/7. Subscribers receive a host of benefits not afforded to single ticket buyers, including significant savings, priority seating, free and easy ticket exchanges, and restaurant discounts. Flex passes are also now available for those seeking a more flexible subscription option. Single tickets start at $30; buy early for best prices. Educators and students are eligible for 50% discounts. On the day of a performance, senior rush tickets are available at 50%.

"Sing for Your Shakespeare" performance schedule is Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

For more information, 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, or by using the new Playhouse App or mobile website.

Photo by Carol Rosegg