Arts and Leisure
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Dan Woog: An Author Says Thanks
(Editor’s note: The following is the text of remarks by author Dan Woog at the Westport Public Library today on the occasion of publication of his Westport Historical Society-sponsored history of Staples High School.)
By Dan Woog
First, thanks to Howard Munce for a great introduction – and help with this display, and the book design – and all the other folks at the Westport Historical Society who made the book happen: Ann Sheffer, Elliott Netherton, Wally Woods, Eve Potts, Fred Cantor, and particularly Mollie Donovan, who has a hand in everything, including today’s reception. 
Dan Woog: “It takes a town to create and nurture a place like Staples.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Thanks, too, to Joan Hume, for her help today, including the PowerPoint presentation you’ll see later. Also to Betty Lou Cummings, who worked her fundraising magic for both this book and the reception, and without whom I would never have been able to spend two and a half years researching and writing.
Thanks, too, to Sara Scrofani, whose spectacular layout makes the book what it is – from every detail, like the look of the sidebars to the typeface to making sure Horace Staples was on the cover – this is as much Sara’s book as it is mine – and her patience dealing with all of my anxieties and fears was also crucial – thanks.
Of course, I’d like to thank – I think—Dave Harrison, former social studies teacher. He’s the one who suggested I write a history of Staples High School, a number of years ago, and who pushed and prodded me into it. No one has loved Staples more than Dave – or knows more inside stories – and his gentle yet persistent encouragement kept me going when I said to myself, “What the heck have I gotten myself into?” Dave is here from New Hampshire today, and that means more to me than words can say.
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Library Hosts Book Signing for Dan Woog
Author Dan Woog addresses today’s Westport Public Library book signing reception for his Westport Historical Society-sponsored new book on Staples High School, “Staples High School: 120 Years of A+ Education.” Copies of the book may be purchased at the Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place, Westport, or online at http://www.StaplesHistory.com and http://www.ItascaBooks.com (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“Housewives on Prozac” Highlight First Night Fund-Raiser
Staples grad Joy Rose (c), a mother of four, led her female rock band “Housewives on Prozac” Saturday ngiht at a fund-raiser for First Night Westport Weston at Westport’s Saugatuck Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Westporters in Norwalk’s “A Little Princess” Presentation
Westport’s Ted Simons and Staples freshman Zoe Apoian rehearse for this weekend’s pre-Broadway showcase presentation of “A Little Princess” at the Pepsico Theater on the Norwalk Community College campus. The cast contains three Westport actors, including Zoe in the title role. Simons is the musical director of the show which plays Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Staples History on Display at Library
Art work and photos related to Staples High School went up Tuesday at the Westport Public Library in advance of Sunday’s book signing event for Dan Woog, author of a new book on Staples’ history. Wally Woods and Mollie Donovan (rear) did the honors and immediately attrracted a crowd that included Traci Miller and son Graham, 2, and Heather Bessey and her daughter Olivia, 3. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Dan Woog’s Staples History Book Signing Set for Sunday
On sale Sunday: new Staples history book. Contributed photoThere will be a book signing and reception Sunday to celebrate the publication of Dan Woog’s new book: “Staples High School: 120 Years of A+ Education.”
The event takes place in the Westport Public Library’s Great Hall at noon. A number of retired Staples teachers will attend the event, an announcement said.
The 400-page, 170-photo book is also available online at http://www.StaplesHistory.com and http://www.ItascaBooks.com
After Sunday, it will be on sale at the Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Westport Fun 1936-Style
The Westport Historical Society Friday presents its inaugural gala “Westport Stories: Fame and Infamy, Places, Events.” In connection with the event, it released this photo from its archives of a 1936 New Year’s Eve costume party held in a barn behind King’s Highway North. The Society said the Friday affair will celebrate “Westport’s charismatic, creative, eclectic people, its places and events, and will feature live music by Total Re-Mix, dancing, original skits, buffet dinner, open bar, and just a touch of scandal.” Tickets are $200 and may be purchased by calling (203)222-1424. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Historical Society photo
Friday, October 28, 2005
“The Immigrant” Opens Tonight
The Westport Country Playhouse’s production of “The Immigrant” has its official opening tonight. The play is the heartwarming tale of a Russian Jewish immigrant to the United States in 1909. Pictured are (l-r): Beth Fowler, Tally Sessions, Kyra Miller and Dale Hensley. The production runs through Nov.12. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) T. Charles Erickson/Westport Country Playhouse photo
Playhouse Presents Sunday Symposium on Immigration
On stage:Tally Sessions and Dale Hensley in Westport Country Playhouse’s musical production of “The Immigrant.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) T. Charles Erickson/WCP Photo
“Immigration Past to Present,” a Sunday symposium, will be presented by the Westport Country Playhouse in conjunction with the musical, “The Immigrant,” on Sunday at approximately 5:45 p.m.
The symposium will follow the 3 p.m. performance, and precede the 7:30 p.m. performance, of the heartwarming tale of a Russian Jewish immigrant to the United States in 1909.
Guest speakers will be Ellen Schiff, preeminent expert dramaturg and scholar on Jewish dramatic literature, Nora Rubel, professor, department of religious studies at Connecticut College, and Rabbi Robert L. Tobin of the Conservative Synagogue in Westport.
Schiff will provide the audience with insights on the historical and dramatic context of the story. Rubel will place the work in its historical context with regard to Jewish immigration.Tobin will consider contemporary Jewish identity in Westport as a parallel to the themes in the play.
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Thursday, October 27, 2005
Turn-Away Crowd for Mozart Lecture
There was a turn-away crowd for tonight’s Westport Arts Center presentation at the Wesport Public Library by Peter Gay, Sterling Professor of History, emeritus, at Yale University on “Mozart and the Enlightenment.” Gay suggested ways the new social and political environment of his era influenced Mozart and continues to frame today’s wide-ranging debates on religion, politics and personal identity. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Saturday, October 22, 2005
New York Magazine: Westport is “Snooty Commuter Town”
New York Magazine, in an article about “O6880: The Musical,” refers to Westport as a “snooty commuter town.” (See WestportNow Sept. 27, 2005)
“Is Fairfield County, Connecticut, the new O.C.?” the magazine asks.
“A musical by, about, and starring Westport middle- and high-school students called 06880 (tagline: “Privilege has its problems”) just finished a successful run at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, boasting the musical guidance of Lawrence Rosen, who worked on Elton John’s ‘Aida.’
“The show is inspired by the snooty commuter town’s teen scene,” the report added.
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Friday, October 21, 2005
Historical Society Hosts Halloween Ghost Stories
The Westport Historical Society today at 2:30 p.m. will host an afternoon of Halloween ghost stories with Katie Sparer. In addition to being an avid ghost story lover, Sparer is a professional actor who has performed on and off-Broadway and in regional theaters across the country. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Andrea Martizer Fine for WestportNow.com
Sneak Peak of Players’ “Children of Eden”
Guests at the Staples High School homecoming dinner tonight got a preview of next month’s Staples Players production of “Children of Eden.” Senior Sally Eidman and sophomore Adam Kaplan performed a number from the show written by Stephen Schwartz, composer of Broadway’s “Wicked,” “Godspell,” and “Pippin.” Tickets go on sale Wednesday for the show, which opens Nov. 11. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Artist at Work
After the rains cleared, Westporters this weekend engaged in some of their favorite outdoor activites, including this artist who worked with rocks near Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Playhouse Honors Joanne Woodward
The stars were out Saturday night as the Westport Country Playhouse honored Joanne Woodward for her work as artistic director and spearheading its $28 million drive to renovate the old barn into a year-round venue.
Tony Bennett joins Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward at the Westport Country Playhouse salute to Woodward. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
About 600 people, including actors Charles Grodin and Gene Wilder, paid $500 or more to celebrate Woodward’s contribution. Actress Glenn Close, violinist Joshua Bell and singer Tony Bennett entertained.
Woodward said she met for lunch with playhouse staff in 1999 to determine what she could do to help. Within a year, she was running the show.
“And so, Joanne has been paying for that lunch ever since,” said actor James Naughton, who kicked off the performances.
Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport