Westport Country Playhouse Artistic Director Mark Lamos (c) tonight celebrates the opening of “Red” with cast members Patrick Andrews (l) and Stephen Rowe at a post-performance reception. The drama about the abstract expressionist Mark Rothko and his young assistant is being performed on odd-numbered dates, alternating with the play “Art,” which opens Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Scenes from tonight’s Westport’s Arts Center gala with a “Club Havana” theme.The event celebrated the unique and diverse culture of Cuba, immersing guests in the island nation’s rich and expressive arts heritage, its food and drinks, and its music. Helen Klisser During and J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Some of the guests celebrating tonight at the Westport Arts Center’s annual “Club Havana” gala at the Vespa Restaurantin Westport.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Edward F. Gerber (yellow raincoat), past president of the Westport Historical Society (WHS), ltoday ed a walking tour of the Kings Highway North Historic District. He described some of the highlights of one of the town’s oldest settled areas where some homes date to the mid-1700s. Following the tour, the group was treated to beverages at Rothbard Ale & Larder, 90 Post Road East, in the lower level of the old Town Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

Perhaps the best that can be said about the cringe-worthy rom-com “Mother’s Day” is that octogenarian Garry Marshall has assured his continuing Academy membership by staying ‘active’ in an industry that could all-too-soon forget he once directed hits like “Pretty Woman,” “Runaway Bride,” “Beaches” and “The Princess Diaries,” along with creating TV’s “Happy Days” and “Laverne & Shirley.”

Following “Valentine’s Day” (2010) and “New Year’s Eve” (2011), Marshall’s star-studded holiday franchise now includes this treacly ensemble tribute to motherhood in its various suburban permutations.

Perennially perky Sandy (Jennifer Aniston) is a divorcee with two sons whose ex-husband (Timothy Olyphant) has just married his much-younger girlfriend (Shay Mitchell). It’s a foregone conclusion that Sandy will end up with widower Bradley (Jason Sudeikis), father of teenage daughters, whose military wife (Jennifer Garner) died in combat in Afghanistan.

Jesse (Kate Hudson) and her sister are estranged from their prejudiced/homophobic mother (Margo Martindale) and father (Robert Pine). Unbeknownst to their parents, Jesse’s married to Russell (Aasif Mandvi), whose family came from India, while Gabi (Sarah Vhalke) has a lesbian spouse (Cameron Esposito).

The cast of the Westport Country Playhouse production of “Art,” a witty comedy by Yasmina Reza, rehearses for tonight’s first preview performance. The play, which ran on Broadway from February 1998 to August 1999 earned a Tony Award for Best Play. Playhouse Artistic Director Mark Lamos said, ” ‘Art’ explores the power of art to transform relationships—the painting in the play is a catalyst that plunges the characters into behavioral change.”  “Art” which opens on Sunday at 3 p.m., will be performed on even-numbered dates until May 28, alternating with “Red” which plays on odd-numbered dates until May 29. Pictured (l-r)  are John Skelley, Sean Dugan, and Benton Greene. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport James Mapes, to paraphrase a famous, late town resident, Rod Serling, seeks to show others how to unlock doors with the key of imagination.

James Mapes: imaginologist. Contributed photo

And Mapes, an “imaginologist” considered a foremost authority on applied imagination, is set to bring his show “Master of the Imagination” to the Theatre Artists Workshop at 5 Gregory Boulevard in Norwalk May 20 through 22.

Mapes is the best-selling author of the “Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owner’s Guide to the Mind” and “The Magic of Quantum Leap Thinking.” His new web interactive book, “Imagine That: Igniting your Brain for Creativity and Peak Performance” is scheduled for an October release.

A combination showman, motivator, peak performance coach, clinical hypnotist and actor, Mapes has had has a lifelong fascination with the subconscious, event planners say.