Westport Country Playhouse Welcomes Author Andrew Gross for Literary Sitdown Tonight

New York Times bestselling author Andrew Gross will speak on "Criminal Financial Shenanigans in Plays and Novels," at "Books Worth Talking About," tonight, July 23, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Lucille Lortel White Barn Center at Westport Country Playhouse. Joe Meyers, writer for Hearst Media News Group, will moderate. The literary salon will be followed by an 8 p.m. performance of "Loot," a madcap British farce about two bank robbers attempting to hide their stolen fortune.

"'Loot' is about some criminal financial shenanigans such as robbery, bribery of police officers, and stashing money," said Gross. "I write about the same kinds of shenanigans much of the time in Fairfield County, but on a slightly broader level."

"Books Worth Talking About," a partnership between Westport Country Playhouse and Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc., provides an opportunity to interact with prominent authors and explore ideas and themes to enrich the theater-going experience. Topics of the literary salons and theatrical productions are designed to complement each other.

Andrew Gross is the author of The New York Times and international bestsellers 15 Seconds, Eyes Wide Open, The Blue Zone, The Dark Tide, Don't Look Twice, and Reckless. His most recent novel is No Way Back. He is also the co-author of five number one bestsellers with James Patterson, including Judge & Jury andLifeguard. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages.

Moderator Joe Meyers writes about books, movies, and theater for the Hearst Media News Group in Connecticut. Last year, he was honored to receive the Ellery Queen Award from the Mystery Writers of America at their annual Edgar banquet in Manhattan. Meyers can be followed on Twitter: @joesview

Winner of the coveted Evening Standard Award for Best Play in 1967, "Loot" is an outrageously wicked British farce about the adventures of two young bank robbers in their frantic attempt to hide their stolen money.

The literary salon is open to anyone with a ticket for the Tuesday, July 23 performance of "Loot." Subscribers to other performances may exchange their tickets into this evening by contacting The Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177.

Gross' most recent novel, No Way Back, will be available for purchase at the event from Playhouse community partner Fairfield University Bookstore.

Reservations for the "Books Worth Talking About" literary salon are necessary. RSVP at marketing@westportplayhouse.org or The Playhouse box office at (203)-227-4177.

For more information or tickets to "Loot," playing July 16 through August 3, 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. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse) or get an insider's peek on The Playhouse Blog (www.theplayhouseblog.org).