Anne Keefe (r), Westport Country Playhouse script-in-hand reading curator, celebrates in the Green Room tonight with actors Maria Tucci (l) and Zoe Winters following their reading of “Collected Stories.”  Keefe announced the next three dates of the highly successful script-in-hand series – Feb. 6, March 13, and April 24. She said the titles will be announced later. All tickets are $20 and are available at the box office or online.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Actors and staff members paused today during a rehearsal for tonight’s Westport Country Playhouse Script In Hand reading of Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama “Collected Stories” by Donald Margulies. The production is about a conflict between an established artist and her adulatory fan who becomes a protege, disciple, colleague, and friend. The reading is directed by Anne Keefe, Playhouse associate artist and curator of the play reading series. There are still a few tickets available, according to a Playhouse spokesperson. It starts at 7 p.m. Pictured: (standing, l-r) Anne Keefe, director and script-in-hand curator, Martha Stout, stage directions and Ed Herman, stage manager with actors (seated)  Zoe Winters (l) and Maria Tucci. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Library today presented before a packed McManus Room audience the Pizzazz Strings Ensemble playing holiday selections that included Baroque master Vivaldi, Strauss, waltzes and Jazz and pop Christmas and Hanukkah favorites. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

The owners of the house at 213 Greens Farms Road, opposite Nyala Farms, are the newest recipients of a Westport Historical Society (WHS) historical plaque. Bob Weingarten, WHS plaque historian, presented the plaque to Jennifer and Gary Zimmerman who have occupied the house since 2000 and are Westport residents since 1996. According to Weingarten, the house dating to the eighteenth century and now known as the Ripley House, c. 1780, was built by Hezekiah Ripley, third minister of the Greens Farms Cogregational Church, serving for 54 years. He also served as chaplain in General Washington’s army during the Revolutionary War. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The owner of the house at 33 Meeker Road, off Sturges Highway, is the newest recipient of a Westport Historical Society (WHS) historical plaque. Bob Weingarten, WHS plaque historian, presented the plaque to Scott Rochlin, who redeveloped the circa 1800 house, known as the Meeker House. In October, the Historic District Commission also honored Rochlin with a preservation award, citing him “for his rehabilitation efforts and special permit application as an alternative to its demolition.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westporter David Pogue, author and tech expert, returned to the Westport Library today to talk about his latest book, “Pogue’s Basics:  Money; Essential Tips and Shortcuts (That No One Bothers to Tell You) About Beating the System.” One of his tips: book hotels by phone for the cheapest rates. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport author and tech guru David Pogue autographs his latest book today for fans at the Westport Library.  “Pogue’s Basics: Money: Essential Tips and Shortcuts (That No One Bothers to Tell You) About Beating the System ” was published Nov. 22. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner WestportNow.com

The real Westport appeared—briefly—tonight in the ABC-TV sitcom “American Housewife,” set in Westport. Until tonight’s episode “The Cotillion,” all exterior shots of the town were Hollywood make believe. But tonight there was brief glimpse of the real Inn at Lonsghore in Westport, the result of a film crew visiting Westport several weeks ago to film real Westport exteriors. “American Housewife,” which premiered Oct. 11, originally had been called “The Second Fattest Housewife in Westport,” before the later name change. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo from ABC-TV

By Susan Granger

Watching “Rules Don’t Apply” reminded me of when Elizabeth Taylor died. I was chatting with another critic at a Manhattan screening when the twentysomething publicist asked, “Who’s Elizabeth Taylor?”

After years of gestation, Warren Beatty has created an absurdly nostalgic farce about aviation tycoon/film producer Howard Hughes. But do moviegoers remember either of them?

Beatty’s story begins with “Never check an interesting fact,” a quote attributed to Howard Hughes, known for being the most eccentric, elusive executive in Hollywood, as shown in the 1964 prologue.

Flash back to 1958, when an aspiring actress, virginal Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins), arrives in Hollywood from Virginia with her devoutly Baptist mother (Annette Bening). Marla soon discovers she’s only one of many starlets summoned by Hughes and paid $400 a week to ‘stand by’ for RKO Pictures auditions.

Boca Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar, 43 Main St., is launching a Sunday brunch beginning Sunday.

Revisson Bonfim opened Boca Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar in November. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“Our guests have been complaining about the lack of good brunch options in Westport,” said Revisson Bonfim, who opened the restaurant in November.

He said Luis Arias, executive chef and part owner, has put together a brunch menu that will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The restaurant, which describes itself as “where the cuisine and wines from the coastal regions of France, Italy, and Spain are combined,” is in space previously occupied by Acqua Ristorante Mediterraneo for 20 years.