David Kennedy News

Westport Country Playhouse announces its 2018 season, featuring five productions that are big for the soul, according to Artistic Director Mark Lamos. The Connecticut professional theater's lineup includes two comedies, one modern and one classic; a drama; a musical; and a world premiere, running from May 29 through November 17.

Laura Eason, who is best known for four seasons as a writer/producer on the Netflix drama 'House of Cards,' will be guest speaker at Westport Country Playhouse's Sunday Symposium following a 3 p.m. performance of her play 'Sex with Strangers,' on Sunday, October 1.

"Appropriate," the 2014 Obie Award winner for Best New American Play, will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse, from August 15 through September 2. The story of family secrets is written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, 2016 MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient, and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

'Appropriate,' the 2014 Obie Award winner for Best New American Play, is being staged at Westport Country Playhouse, now through September 2. The story of family secrets is written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, 2016 MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient, and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

"Appropriate," the 2014 Obie Award winner for Best New American Play, will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse, from August 15 through September 2. The story of family secrets is written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, 2016 MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient, and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

Daphne A. Brooks, professor of African American Studies, Theater Studies, American Studies, and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Yale University, will be guest speaker at Westport Country Playhouse's Sunday Symposium following the Sunday, August 20, 3 p.m. matinee performance of "Appropriate," an Obie Award-winning play about family secrets by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The Playhouse Sunday Symposium program is free and open to the public.

Connecticut Theater's Top Picks for August 2017

'Hamilton' Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Jonathan Groff has stepped in to headline Westport Country Playhouse's 2017 Gala on Saturday evening, September 9. Groff will replace previously announced Matthew Morrison who is no longer available to perform at this year's Gala due to a scheduling conflict.

"Appropriate," the 2014 Obie Award winner for Best New American Play, will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse, from August 15 through September 2. The story of family secrets is written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, 2016 MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient, and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

Westport Country Playhouse has received a $10,000 grant from Fairfield County's Community Foundation for general operating support of the non-profit organization's 2017 season. The nationally recognized professional theater serves an estimated annual audience of 60,000. 

The 2016 Lucille Lortel Award-winning play, "Grounded," a contemporary drama about a US Air Force fighter pilot who is grounded by an unexpected pregnancy, will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse, from July 11 through July 29. 

The event, which honors the work of the state's professional theaters, was held at Sacred Heart University's Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts June 26. Three-time Tony Award-nominee Terrence Mann was master of ceremonies.

Dan Gettinger, founder and the co-director of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, will be guest speaker at Westport Country Playhouse's Sunday Symposium following the Sunday, July 16, 3 p.m. matinee performance of 'Grounded' by George Brant.

TheaterWork's production of the musical "Next to Normal" led the nominations for the 27th annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards event to be held Monday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart University's Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts in Fairfield.

The 2016 Lucille Lortel Award-winning play, "Grounded," a contemporary drama about a US Air Force fighter pilot who is grounded by an unexpected pregnancy, will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse, from July 11 through July 29. 

NEXT TO NORMAL, INVISIBLE HAND TOP Connecticut Critics Circle Award Nominations

Alan Pally, an authority on Tony and Academy Award-winning British playwright Peter Shaffer ("Amadeus," "Equus"), will be guest speaker at the Playhouse's Sunday Symposium following the Sunday, June 4, 3 p.m. matinee performance of Shaffer's comedy "Lettice and Lovage." 

Tony, Emmy, and two-time Golden Globe nominee Matthew Morrison will headline Westport Country Playhouse's 2017 fundraising gala on Saturday evening, September 9. New this year will be the Gala's move to Saturday evening instead of Monday night as in past seasons. The Gala's theme, 'Moonlight Over Venice,' is a nod to the Playhouse's autumn production of 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Westport Country Playhouse will host a 2017 Season Kick-off Block Party, on Saturday, May 6, 4 to 7 p.m., offering a fun, party-like atmosphere with food trucks, activities, prizes, music, special ticket offers, and a look at the Playhouse's "backstage experience." Admission is free and open to the public. 

With only a little over two months before the curtain goes up on Westport Country Playhouse's 2017 Season, single tickets will go on sale, beginning Tuesday, March 21, and will be offered at a 25% discount for that day only.