Westport Country Playhouse to Offer Sunday Symposia Alongside ROMEO AND JULIET

In conjunction with its production of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Westport Country Playhouse's Sunday Symposium series will present guest speakers on two consecutive Sundays, November 5 and 12, following the 3 p.m. performances of the classic play. The Playhouse Sunday Symposium program is free and open to the public.

The Shakespeare symposia are part of the Playhouse's initiative, "As Boundless as the Sea: The Genius of William Shakespeare," surrounding the production of "Romeo and Juliet." For a complete schedule of events for the initiative, visit www.westportplayhouse.org/Romeo-Juliet-education-initiative.

A conversation with renowned Shakespeare Scholar Marjorie Garber is scheduled for Sunday, November 5. Garber is a Professor of English and of Visual and Environmental Studies at Harvard University and author of "Shakespeare After All" and "Shakespeare and Modern Culture." She will share her insights into Western literature's most enduring love myth, moderated by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

"Bringing the Bard to Life: Directing Shakespeare in the 21st Century," on Sunday, November 12, will feature Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director and "Romeo and Juliet" director; Milla Riggio, Shakespeare scholar; and special guests, discussing Shakespeare's enduring legacy and how directors and actors give the work new life for contemporary audiences.

"Romeo and Juliet," William Shakespeare's timeless love story, with a cast of 20, period costuming, sword fights, and scenic design by a Tony Award winner, will run from October 31 through November 19. The tale of two teenagers who fight to love each other in a violent world has never before been produced at the Playhouse during its 87 seasons.

The Sunday Symposium Series is supported, in part, by the White Barn Program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation.

Initiative partners are The Acting Company, Housatonic Community College, Norwalk Community College, and Westport Public Library. Education sponsor is The Graham Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. Education Initiative is made possible with support from The David and Geri Epstein Private Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

"Romeo and Juliet" Production Sponsors are Czekaj Artistic Productions, Barbara and John Samuelson, and Barbara and John Streicker; Corporate Production Sponsor is Fidelity Investments. Production Partners are Carol and Peter Seldin; Corporate Production Partner is Cohen and Wolf.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The Playhouse creates this relationship with the community and provides this experience in multiple ways by offering: Live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos, from May through November; educational and community engagement events and opportunities to further explore issues presented by the work on stage; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings throughout the year to deepen relationships with audiences and artists alike; the renowned Woodward Internship Program training program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations from December through May to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; youth performance training through Broadway Method Academy, the Playhouse's resident conservatory; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. The value of the Westport Country Playhouse to all it touches is immeasurable.