Westport Sunrise Rotary Presents FORBIDDEN WESTPORT III, 4/30

Westport's Sunrise Rotary will present an original musical comedy spoof, "Forbidden Westport III: Beaches, Banks, Barons & Budgets," on Saturday, April 30, 7:30 p.m., at Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue, Westport. Proceeds will benefit Westport's Homes with Hope. Two previous "Forbidden Westport" productions in 2001 and 2002 were sellouts.

Participants in the Broadway-style satirical musical will include representatives from nearly every facet of the Town of Westport. Virtually all of Westport's issues and organizations will be roasted, including the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Representative Town Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, Y's Women, Green Village Initiative, Westport Family Y, Parks and Recreation Commission, Downtown Merchants Association and Westport Young Woman's League.
"The show proves you don't have to be ‘thin skinned' to serve the town," said Valerie Austyn, Broadway alumna and "Forbidden Westport III" producer.

Nineteen RTM members will serenade the audience with "We Shall Overturn." Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon will conjure a follow-up to his classic parody, "Big Spender," from a previous "Forbidden Westport" staging. Other cast members include Reverend Jeffrey Rider of the Congregational Church of Green's Farms; Rabbi Robert Orkand of Temple Israel; Richard Mancini of Westport Community Theatre; Jeff Wieser of Homes with Hope; Kristin LaFleur, Elizabeth Juviler and Meg Himes from Westport Young Woman's League; and Y's Men's Hoot Owls.

The Town's representatives will be augmented in their theatrical efforts by Broadway and off-Broadway entertainers including Richard Epstein, Bill Hall, Bob Lasprogato, Karen Parrella, Eva Rawiszer, David Rogers, June Walker Rogers, Chilton Ryan, Katie Sparer, Suzanne Tanner, Cindy Vaccaro, Richard Weidlich and Nadine Willig.

"Memory Wizard" Lou Weinstein will entertain in the lobby during intermission.
The show's writers include two Tony Award nominees: David Rogers ("Charlie and Algernon") and William F. Brown ("The Wiz"); as well as John Franklin, Gloria Stashower, Fred Stroepell, Suzanne Tanner, Jeff Wieser and Judith Marks-White.

Helming "Forbidden Westport" are John Franklin, artistic director and head writer; Valerie Austyn, producer; Mark S. Graham, executive director; Valerie Austyn, June Walker Rogers, directors; Howard Kilik, musical director; Liz Milwe, choreographer; and Ted Simons, rehearsal pianist.
Production staff includes Audrey Sparre, Joe Renzulli and Bob Lasprogato. Committee members include Bob Galan, Carole Rubinstein, Gene Cederbaum, Sheila Keenan, Bill Meyer, Bill Blaufuss, Janis Collins, Miggs Burroughs and an additional 40 Westport Sunrise Rotarians.

"Forbidden Westport III" sponsors are Westport Resources and CastleKeep.

Homes with Hope, beneficiary of the proceeds from "Forbidden Westport III," is a local grassroots response to the tragedy of homelessness. With a caring professional staff and the help of more than 400 volunteers, Homes with Hope assists people who have lost their ability to lead normal lives.

The members of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club are a diverse group of business and professional leaders who contribute their time, talents and financial support to aid local charities, youth programs and international humanitarian programs. The club is dedicated to encouraging high ethical standards in all club activities and to helping Rotary International build goodwill and peace in the world. The club participates with 1.2 million fellow Rotarians in 33,000 clubs around the world to uphold Rotary's motto of "Service above Self." Westport Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Bobby Q's Restaurant, 42 Main Street, Westport. For more information about Westport Sunrise Rotary, visit the club's website at westportsunriserotary.com.

Tickets to "Forbidden Westport III: Beaches, Banks, Barons & Budgets," are $55 general admission; $20 student rush (bleacher seats); seating is unreserved. Tickets may be purchased online at westportsunriserotary.com and forbiddenwestport.eventbrite.com, or at two branches of Fairfield County Bank, 20 Compo Road S., and 180 Post Road East, Westport.