By James V. Ruocco
It's no secret that Westport Country Playhouse has been struggling.
Tickets sales are down.
The subscription base is dwindling.
Newly announced productions have been scrapped.
Mark Lamos exits as Artistic Director in six months.
Staff cuts are eminent.
Nonetheless, there is hope.
This is Westport.
The theater, which opened its doors in 1931, recently celebrated its 92nd Anniversary.
It has history.
Real history.
Pick up a playbill.
Time travel back to the past.
Dorothy Gish in "Russet Mantle."
Alla Nazimova in "Ghosts."
Henry Fonda in "The Virginian."
Olivia de Havilland in "What Every Woman Knows."
Eva Marie Saint in "The Rainmaker."
Jane Fonda in "No Concern of Mine."
Gloria Swanson in "Between Seasons."
Mickey Rooney in "See How They Run."
Lynn Redgrave in "The Two of Us."
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in "Ancestral Voices."
James Earl Jones in "Thurgood."
The list goes on and on.
But will it grow and continue?
Let's hope so.
To keep Westport Country Playhouse from permanently closing its doors, the theater has officially launched a special fundraising campaign - "Save Your Playhouse" - with a specified goal of a very necessary and immediate $2,000,000 by July 30, 2023.
It's a challenge, yes.
But one that easily could be met by donations - large and small - from just about anyone out there who loves theatre, wants theatre, enjoys theatre and doesn't want to lose one of Connecticut's historical, much-loved venues.
Newly elected board chair Athena T. Adamson, who has served as a trustee since 2017, has found the perfect plan to insure Westport Country Playhouse's longevity.
“This summer we are working to bring to life a new vision – one that features both first-rate theater productions and a wide array of innovative programming to engage new and existing audiences.”
If goals are met, the Playhouse will present a series of live performances including curated "one-night-only shows" featuring celebrities and top talent from the world of theater, comedy, music, and dance.
The popular "Script in Hand" play reading series, which offers intimate storytelling by professional actors, will continue along with the equally important “In Conversation With" talkbacks that offer theatergoers direct access to creators, business leaders, artists, athletes, philanthropists, and influencers in the intimate Playhouse setting.
High-end theatre will also be showcased along with next-generation children’s programming, which Adamson believes is "essential to the theater’s ongoing mission. "
But first, the theater must reach its intended goal of $2 million.
“Westport Country Playhouse has stood the test of time by staying true to its mission and continually evolving,” says Adamson. “More than 20 years ago, Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman inspired the Playhouse’s last, great, transformative campaign, chaired by Bob Wright, former head of NBC, and now there is another opportunity for our wonderful community to be part of shaping the Playhouse for future generations.”
To address the Playhouse's serious financial deficit, "School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play,” the third production of the 2023 season, has been dropped from the schedule in the interest of both fiscal responsibility and the survival of the theater.
"But we still need your immediate help,” explains Adamson. “Contributions to the ‘Save Your Playhouse’ campaign are fundamental to saving and evolving the legacy of Westport Country Playhouse.”
“Join us! Donate! Talk to us!” adds Adamson. “If you have suggestions about how we can deliver the best live performances right here in Westport, we want to hear from you.” The public is invited to email ideas to Gretchen Wright, Playhouse interim managing director, gwright@westportplayhouse.org.
Attending Mark Lamos’s staging of the classic melodrama, “Dial M for Murder,” running now through July 30, 2023, is also greatly encouraged. The production stars Patrick Andrews, Kate Abbruzzese, Kate Burton, Krystel Lucas and Denver Milord.
For Westport Country Playhouse information, tickets and donations, visit westportplayhouse.org or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529.
You can also stay connected to the theater on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and on YouTube (Westport Playhouse).
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