Gerald Freedman News

Concurrent with its autumn production of 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' Westport Country Playhouse is partnering with 16 community organizations to present 'Window onto History: Perspectives on ‘The Diary of Anne Frank.'

Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for 'I Do! I Do!,' the charming and touching musical about marriage, three extra performances have been added, Thursday through Saturday, September 2 - 4, evenings at 8 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's 80th anniversary gala on Monday evening, September 13, honoring Stephen Schwartz has been re-imagined with the influence of Lead Corporate Sponsor, Virgin Atlantic Airways, based in Norwalk.

The first national tour of the current Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Omaha. WEST SIDE STORY will be presented at the Orpheum Theater October 19 - 24, 2010 by Omaha Performing Arts and Broadway Across America. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the newly revised adaptation of the timeless classic, 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' helmed by award-winning director Gerald Freedman, September 28 through October 30, as part of its 80th Anniversary Season.

Some of Broadway's best and brightest talents will perform in a one-night-only salute to theater and film composer Stephen Schwartz at Westport Country Playhouse's 2010 Annual Gala on Monday, September 13.

Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for 'I Do! I Do!,' the charming and touching musical about marriage, three extra performances have been added, Thursday through Saturday, September 2 - 4, evenings at 8 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse present a Sunday Symposium with Tom Jones, book writer and lyricist of 'I Do! I Do!,' following the Sunday, August 15, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the joyful and touching musical spanning 50 years of marriage. Jones, along with music composer Harvey Schmidt, received an Obie Award and a Special Tony Award for 'The Fantasticks.' In 1999, their stars were added to the Off-Broadway Walk of Fame outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Nicholas Martin, artistic director of Williamstown Theatre Festival, will direct W. Somerset Maugham's scintillating comedy of manners, 'The Circle,' June 7 - June 25, 2011, at Westport Country, announced Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.

Westport Country Playhouse's Young Professionals Network and Norwalk's Triangle Community Center will present the first-ever 'LGBT Night Out at the Playhouse,' for members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender communities and allies, on Thursday, August 12.

In conjunction with Westport Country Playhouse's upcoming production of 'I Do! I Do!,' the joyful and touching musical about marriage, the theater is hosting 'The Perfect Proposal Contest.' Participants are requested to write, in 300 words or less, how they were asked, or asked someone else, to say, 'I Do!' Photos are welcomed, but not required. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, August 10, noon.

Critically acclaimed novelist Francine Prose, writer of the recently published Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife, will present an author talk and book signing, on Sunday, September 19, 3 p.m., at Westport Country Playhouse. Prose will speak about her book, followed by an interview with David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, and a Q&A with the audience.

Westport Country Playhouse present a Sunday Symposium with Tom Jones, book writer and lyricist of 'I Do! I Do!,' following the Sunday, August 15, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the joyful and touching musical spanning 50 years of marriage. Jones, along with music composer Harvey Schmidt, received an Obie Award and a Special Tony Award for 'The Fantasticks.' In 1999, their stars were added to the Off-Broadway Walk of Fame outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Celebrating 80 Years with a Variety of Outstanding Plays and Playwrights: Westport Country Playhouse Announces 2011 Season

Westport Country Playhouse's Young Professionals Network and Norwalk's Triangle Community Center will present the first-ever 'LGBT Night Out at the Playhouse,' for members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender communities and allies, on Thursday, August 12.

In conjunction with Westport Country Playhouse's upcoming production of 'I Do! I Do!,' the joyful and touching musical about marriage, the theater is hosting 'The Perfect Proposal Contest.' Participants are requested to write, in 300 words or less, how they were asked, or asked someone else, to say, 'I Do!' Photos are welcomed, but not required. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, August 10, noon.

Jack Wetherall will join the previously announced Dana Ivey in 'Happy Days' by Samuel Beckett, July 6 - 24, as part of the 80th Anniversary Season at Westport Country Playhouse. Directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director, the production is the third in the Playhouse's premier season under Lamos' artistic direction. Lamos will speak about Beckett's inspiring play at a Sunday Symposium on Sunday, July 11, following the 3 p.m. matinee performance.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the joyful and touching musical, 'I Do! I Do!,' starring Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin and Drama Desk Award nominee Lewis Cleale, August 10 - 28, as part of its 80th Anniversary Season.

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium on playwright Samuel Beckett with Deirdre Bair, recipient of the National Book Award for 'Samuel Beckett: A Biography,' and Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director, following the Sunday, July 11, 3 p.m. matinee performance of Beckett's 'Happy Days,' directed by Lamos.

David B. Byrd joined Westport Country Playhouse as director of marketing, beginning July 6, responsible for all organizational marketing initiatives for the historic theater's five-play season and surrounding year-round programming.