The Westport Country Playhouse said today it has received a $150,000 gift from the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation for a new lighting communication system. It said due to the speed of advancements in computer technology, the lighting system installed during the Playhouse’s 2005 renovation is now almost obsolete. The Bigelows are pictured in 2016 with David Kennedy, Playhouse Associate artistic director. The Bigelows have been committed to the Playhouse for many years, supporting some of the theater’s most complex productions. “Eunice and David Bigelow’s extraordinarily generous gift is a direct expression of their love for and understanding of our Playhouse, its needs, and its artistry,” said Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

From the fertile imagination of filmmaker Wes Anderson (“Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Life Aquatic,” “The Darjeeling Limited”) comes “Isle of Dogs,” a unique, stop-motion animated tale of a youngster looking for his lost companion, featuring the distinctive voices of Anderson’s regular repertory company.

Set in the Japanese Archipelago in the near future, this dystopian fable, narrated by Courtney B. Vance, revolves around Atari Kobayashi (Koyu Rankin), whose bodyguard dog, Spots (Liev Schreiber), is banished when Megasaki City’s cat-loving, dog-despising Mayor Kobayashi (Kunichi Nomura) decrees that, following an outbreak of a type of flu known as Snout Fever, all canines must be exiled to an island previously used for trash disposal.

Hijacking a small aircraft, intrepid, 12-year-old Atari, the adopted nephew of corrupt Mayor Kobayashi, crash-lands on Trash Island’s bleak wasteland, determined to rescue his beloved Spots. Instead, he runs into a bickering pack of banished pets.

There’s Boss (Bill Murray), Rex (Edward Norton), Duke (Jeff Goldblum) and King (Bob Balaban), along with Chief (Bryan Cranston), a gruff, battle-hardened stray; a silky former show dog, Nutmeg (Scarlett Johansson); and a TV-loving, psychic pug (Tilda Swinton).

The Westport Library and community partner the Saugatuck Congregational Church today hosted a concert “Violin Through the Ages: Asher Laub Ensemble.” The group offered a concert of violin music that included classical pieces by Bach and Beethoven as well as jazz, pop, hip hop, Middle Eastern and fusion and even a Michael Jackson medley. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

As part of today’s Westport Country Playhouse 2018 season kick-off party, Mark Lamos (3rd r), Playhouse artistic director, hosted a preview of the seasons’s five productions. The Playhouse’s 88th season will begin with “Flyin’ West,” playing May 29 – June 16, written by Pearl Cleage and directed by Seret Scott (3rd l)  Set in 1898 when the Civil War is still a living memory, the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kansas, offers a refuge for many former slaves. At one homestead lives a family of courageous and sharp-witted women determined to make a place for themselves. They overcome tremendous odds in a heroic effort to escape the scars of the past in this story of bravery, pride, and sisterhood. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

The Westport Country Playhouse today hosted a 2018 season kick-off party offering food trucks, beer tastings, exhibits, and special ticket discounts. In addition, a sneak peek of the upcoming season was hosted by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Scenes from today’s redication ceremony of Robert Lambdin’‘s WPA era mural at its new home at Staples High School. It had been at the Westport Library since 1992. Its orginal home was the former Saugatuck Elementary School. The ceremony included mural-themed costumed characters played by First Selectman Jim Marpe and other town and school officials and students. Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

There was a rededication ceremony today at Staples High School for the 1934 WPA Artist Robert Lambdin mural “Pageant of Juvenile Literature.” With the participation of mural-themed costumed Westporters, the event celebrated the move of the mural from the Westport Library, its home since 1992. Its original location was at the former Saugatuck Elementary School on Bridge Street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com