Members of the Staples Players acknowledge a curtain call ovation tonight at the end of the final dress rehearsal of “Fiddler on the Roof.” The musical plays this weekend and next. See http://www.staplesplayers.com for more information. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

On Aug. 10, 2010, 33 Chilean miners were buried alive by the catastrophic explosion and collapse of a 121-year-old gold and copper mine.  For the next 69 days, an international team endeavored to rescue them, as millions of people around the world watched. “The 33” is their story.

Opening with the ominous statistic that 12,000 miners die annually in work accidents, it begins at a retirement party in Copiapo, honoring an old-timer who has only a few days left before hanging up his hardhat forever. That’s where the primary characters are introduced.

There’s shift supervisor Don Lucho (Lou Diamond Phillips), young father-to-be Alex Vega (Mario Casas), philandering Yonni Barrios (Oscar Nunez), Elvis impersonator Edison Pena (Jacob Vargas), Bolivian newcomer Carlos Mamani (Tenoch Huerta), and alcoholic Dario Segovia (Juan Pablo Raba). The most recognizable is Mario Sepulveda (Antonio Banderas), who becomes their leader.

The terror begins at the San Jose Mine under the rugged Atacama Desert, as fateful cracks in the mountain wall signal impending disaster. Trapped under 700 tons of rock, “Super” Mario allocates food and water distribution in the small, sweltering cavern called “the Refuge.”

The Westport Historical Society (WHS) tonight presented “Sam’s War: A GI’s Journey,” a film that choreographs a Jewish American soldier’s fight against Nazi Germany. It starred Sam Brody (r), 94, of Norwalk, and was produced by filmmaker Joel L. Freedman of Westport.  “I wanted to enlist and go to kill Hitler….all the Jewish enlistees felt the same way,” Brody told the overflow Veterans Day audience. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Due to popular demand, Staples Players has added a seventh performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. This added performance also has special pricing: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. Limited tickets are still available for the originally scheduled performances Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 15 and 21 at 3 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased at http://www.staplesplayers.com, and at the door beginning 30 minutes before show time, subject to availability. Pictured (l-r) are Staples students Caroline Didelot, Remy Laifer, Samantha Chachra, Jordan Goodness and Jacob Leaf in “Fiddler on the Roof.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kerry Long photo

The Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC) today put the final touches on its TEA Talk set for Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium. In three 20-minute conversations, “Where are the Arts in CT Education?,” panelists will tackle topics including the state’s current educational mandates and how Westport and neighboring communities creatively address these. The talk, Teachers, Educators, and Artists, is free and open to the public. More information is available at http://www.westportarts.org. Pictured (l-r) are WAAC members Sandy Lefkowitz, Frederic Chiu, Carole Schweid, John Simon, Miggs Burroughs, Kathie Bennewitz, Kristin McKinney, Elizabeth Strick, and Richard Epstein, co-chair. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Bob Weingarten, Westport Historical Society (WHS) plaque historian, points out some houses to a visitor today at the opening reception for the WHS exhibit “Window to Westport’s Past and Present,” featuring Works Progress Administration (WPA) photographs taken in the 1930s of Westport’s historic homes. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westport Historical Society (WHS) members involved in the exhibit “Window to Westport’s Past and Present” greet guests today at the opening reception. The collection of 131 Works Progress Administration photographs of Westport houses were taken in 1935, most by Westport resident T.O’.Conor Sloane Jr.(1879-1963). Many of the houses were at least 100 years or more old at the time. The exhibit runs through March 26. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Veteran broadcast journalist and Westport mother of three Brigitte Quinn was at the Westport Library today to talk about her debut novel, ”Anchored,” about life in a broadcast newsroom. Quinn has anchored at WCBS Radio, Fox News, NBC, MSNBC, and is currently a morning anchor at WINS Radio.  “I wrote much of my book here at the Westport Library in one of the cubies,” she said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

There was a full house in the McManus Room at the Westport Library today for a Baroque chamber music concert by the Musical Arts Trio. It featured music of G. F.Telemann,  Philippe Gaubert, Johann Joachim Quantz,  and more performed by Sharon Levin on flute; David Hughes on piano and Gerard Reuter playing the oboe. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The Westport Country Playhouse today hosted a Family Festivities Kick-off Party to celebrate the Playhouse’s 2015-16 Family Festivities Series, which begins on Sunday, Nov. 15. The popular series will feature productions based on children’s classic stories, including “Berenstain Bears,” “Fancy Nancy,” and “Charlotte’s Web.” As part of the day’s activities, children were invited to put on costumes and appear on the Playhouse stage. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com