The annual June Benefit Horse Show got underway Wednesday at Westport’s Fairfield County Hunt Club. It will continue through Saturday when the final silver trophies will be awarded. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Richard Somerset-Ward, author of”An American Theatre: The Story of Westport Country Playhouse, 1931-2005 “spoke at the Westport Public Library Wednesday night where he showed slides and choreographed the history of what he termed “a gem of a theater.” Here he was greeted by Laura Feder, chairman of the Authors at the Library Committee. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

Tazewell Thompson: named Playhouse artistic director. Contributed photo The Westport Country Playhouse tonight announced the appointment of Tazewell Thompson, stage and opera director and playwright, as its artistic director.

An announcement following a meeting of the Playhouse board said his appointment, which first leaked to the press Friday, would be effective Jan. 1, subject to contract execution.  (See WestportNow June 17, 2005)

Thompson succeeds actor and director Joanne Woodward who became the Playhouse’s artistic leader in 2000. Woodward will continue as artistic director through the end of this year, when she assumes the role of artistic director emeritus.

Woodward will remain an active member of the Playhouse board of directors, and will work with Thompson on educational program development and other projects, the announcement said.

Jonathan Kruk: will tell tales of Westport. Contributed photo Stories and legends about the Town of Westport and its people are set to be transformed into a series of “Victorian Faery Tales” spun by master storyteller Jonathan Kruk.

He will appear Sunday at 1 p.m. in the gallery of the Westport Historical Society.

“He’s going to weave stories about Westport, its famous people and stories that have been passed down,” said Susan Gold, education coordinator for the historical society.

“He’s going to engage the children because his stories are not only told, they’re acted out, and he uses many different voices to bring his characters alive.”