Arts and Leisure
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sharing Secrets of Laughter
Filmmaker and former Yale Film Studies professor Michael Roemer (r) tonight talked about what makes people laugh at the Westport Country Playhouse literary salon series “Books Worth Talking About.” Interviewed by Leo D. Meyer of WPKN, Roemer discussed his recent book “Shocked But Connected: Notes on Laughter” before tonight’s presentation of “The Show-Off,” the classic comedy by Pulitzer-winner George Kelly. “Every time you laugh on some level, you survive a bit longer,” said Roemer, 85. He shared his musings on what causes audiences to chortle, snort, and guffaw when they watch antics onscreen or onstage. Born in Germany in 1928 and whose family escaped from the country under Nazi control, Romer said, “There’s a need for humor when surviving.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Monday, June 17, 2013
Emmy for Westport-Based TV Show
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has awarded Westport-produced “Born to Explore with Richard Wiese” an Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography at the 40th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. “Born to Explore” was also nominated for Outstanding Travel Program. The program, which airs weekly on Saturday mornings on ABC, is produced by Explorer Films in offices on Main Street in Westport. Pictured (l-r) are: Andy Ames, senior producer; Mercedes Velgot. executive producer; Richard Wiese, host and executive producer; John Barnhardt, cinematographer; Greg Harriott, cinematographer; Laura Cunningham, sound, and Jason Katz, editor. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Playhouse Production ‘Captures Golden Era in Theater’
The Westport Country Playhouse Sunday symposium series, an interview following the opening week Sunday matinee, today focused on the art of theater comedy from the perspective of Murray Biggs (r), Yale University associate prrofessor of English and theater. Interviewed by the Playhouse’s associate artistic director, David Kennedy, Biggs said the revival of the 1924 play, “The Show-Off” in its current run at the Playhouse, “captures the golden era in theater that emphasized comedies of manners—plays that dissect and analyze social groups.” Coincidentally, George Kelly, “The Show-Off” playwright, was Grace Kelly’s uncle. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Taking a Bow
The cast of “The Show-Off” takes a bow tonight at the opening night performance at the Westport Country Playhouse. The classic comedy by Pulitzer-winner George Kelly—a 1924 play which The New York Times said “has come to be regarded as a classic of its genre”—is described by the Playhouse as a “funny and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth.” Directed by Nicholas Martin, director of Broadway’s Tony-winning “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “The Show-Off” runs through June 29. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Backstage Talk
Actress Maureen Anderman congratulates actor Will Rogers who plays the lead character, Aubrey Piper, in “The Show-Off” at a reception tonight after the opening night performance at the Westport Country Playhouse. Actress Frances Sternhagen is in the background. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Welcome at Post-Performance Gathering
Robert Osborne (r), film historian best known as the primary host for Turner Classic Movies, is welcomed tonight at a reception following the opening night performance of “The Show-Off” at the Westport Country Playhouse. Pictured (l-r) Anne Keefe, former artistic director; Mia Barron, actor in tonight’s play; Maureen Anderman, actress; David Staller, actor, and Osborne. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Malloys Host Party to Show Off Sculpture
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and wife Cathy hosted a garden party tonight at the governor’s mansion in Hartford to show off the sculpture park at the residence. Among the guests was Helen Klisser During, director of visual arts at the Westport Arts Center (and contributing WestportNow photographer). The project, displaying 24 works from 18 artists, was envisioned by the Malloys as a showcase for many artists living and creating art in Connecticut. Beginning Monday, the public can schedule tours of the artwork.To arrange for a tour, visitors may contact Carol O’Shea, executive director of the Governor’s Residence, at (860)524-7355, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Friday, June 14, 2013
Bird’s Eye-View of ‘Bird’s-Eye View’
The Westport Arts Center tonight hosted a reception marking the opening of “Bird’s-Eye View” featuring major contemporary photographs, paintings, and drawings that depict aerial perspectives of people, roads, buildings, cities, and the countryside. The 18 works come from the internationally-renowned Hall Collection. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Close-Up View
A visitor tonight views one of the 18 works in the “Bird’s-Eye View” exhibit which opened tonight at the Westport Arts Center. The exhibit from the Hall Collection, which runs until Sept. 8, depicts a real or imagined landscape from an aerial perspective. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Summer Exhibit
Scenes from tonight’s opening reception for the Westport Arts Center’s summer exhibit “Bird’s-Eve View.” Helen Klisser During and contributed photos for WestportNow.com
Celebrating Yankee Doodle Fair Opening
After a one day delayed opening due to Thursday’s heavy rain, the Yankee Doodle Fair opened tonight at the Imperial Avenue grounds adjacent to the Westport Woman’s Club. Highlighting the opening, Michael Ross, managing director of the Westport Country Playhouse, mimics the feature character in the play, “The Show-Off,” which opens Saturday night. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Thursday, June 13, 2013
LGBT Night Out at Playhouse
The Westport Country Playhouse tonight hosted “LGBT Night Out,” for members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender communities and allies. The event featuried a pre-show cocktail party in the Sheffer Rehearsal Studio, complete with light foods, drinks, music and door prizes, followed by a preview performance on stage of “The Show Off.” The next LGBT Night Out will be on July 18, with the play “Loot” after the social hour. There is a LGBT once month during the Playhouse theater season. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Earthplace Screens Film About Toxic Threats
Toxic threats in daily life was the theme of a documentary film, “Unacceptable Levels,” screened tonight at Westport’s Earthplace. Ed Brown, award-winning writer/director of the film, took part in a post-screening discussion about his work. The event was sponsored by the Town of Westport’s Green Task Force, along with Clean Water Action Connecticut. Shannon McAvoy (above), development coordinator for Clean Water Action Connecticut, introduced the film to the audience of more than 60. Contributed photo
‘Frost/Nixon:’ A Harrowing Successful Reality Show
By Ina Chadwick
Jeremy Funke (Frost) (l) and Will Jeffries (Nixon). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Often a life is defined by what you do in an instant, rather than what you have achieved over a lifetime. This is certainly true in assessing Richard Nixon’s record as president.
It included many foreign affairs coups and many inroads into women’s rights. But instead, Watergate defines his presidency—the scandal that changed the face of American politics.
Soap operas and Lifetime TV stories are the underpinnings of great drama. This is what makes Peter Morgan’s play, “Frost/Nixon,” now running at the Westport Community Theatre (WCT) until June 23, so successful.
The characters take you to every place in your heart, places that are both sad and noble at the same time. Are these crooks or seers?
More "‘Frost/Nixon:’ A Harrowing Successful Reality Show"
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Installing ‘Bird’s-Eye View’ Images at Arts Center
The Westport Arts Center (WAC) will launch its summer exhibition, “Bird’s-Eye View” on Friday with a reception at 6 p.m. Curated by Helen Klisser During (r), director of visual arts, “Bird’s-Eye View” features major contemporary photographs, paintings, and drawings that depict aerial perspectives of people, roads, buildings, cities, and the countryside. The 18 works come from the internationally-renowned Hall Collection. Installing the Damian Loeb Painting “Eminence Break” today were Marc Pierre (l) and Alex Haviland. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Michelle Blydenburg for WestportNow.com
Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport