WestportNow film critic Susan Granger and actor/producer Scott Bryce were hosts tonight at the Westport Cinema Initiative’s inaugural Oscar viewing/fundraiser/gala event at the Birchwood Country Club. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Justin Paul (l) and partner Benj Pasek tonight were interviewed on the red carpet as they entered the Oscars ceremony where they were nominated for Original Song for their tune “This Is Me” from the P.T. Barnum biography picture “The Greatest Showman.” They said their latest project involved writing the lyrics for two new songs for Disney’s forthcoming live-action film “Aladdin” composed by Alan Menken, (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Variety.com photo

UPDATE The rededication of WPA Artist Robert Lambdin’s mural “Pageant of Juvenile Literature” scheduled today at Staples High School has been postponed due to the early closing of schools because of the weather, organizers announced.

The Robert Lambdin mural in its new Staples High School home. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The half-hour ceremony was scheduled to take place at 2:45 p.m. in the lobby outside the school’s auditorium.

The program was to be co-hosted by Staples Principal James D’Amico and Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer and feature town officials and students in mural-themed character.

First Selectman Jim Marpe was scheduled to be Abraham Lincoln, Staples Players’ Director David Roth as Long John Silver, and Staples Players Mary Boozin and David Corro as Alice and the Cheshire Cat.

By Susan Granger

Sunday marks Oscar’s 90th birthday — and “Out with the old, in with the new!” is the message the Academy has sent to its voters this year, as Jimmy Kimmel once again hosts.

Jordan Peele (“Get Out”) is the first African-American ever nominated as writer, director and Best Picture producer in the same year, while Dee Rees (“Mudbound”) is the first African-American woman honored for an adapted screenplay and Rachel Morrison is the first female nominated for Best Cinematography.

Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”) is the fifth woman ever nominated in the directing category, and “Logan” is the first live-action superhero saga ever nominated for its screenplay.

This change is directly connected with then-Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs’ dismay over 2016’s #OscarsSoWhite. After inducting 1,700 new members in the past three years, the pool of 7,258 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters has been altered. It’s younger and more diverse, truer to America.

The cast rehearses for tonight’s Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand reading of the Larry Gelbart play, “Better Late.” Theater audiences know Gelbart as the creator and producer of the television series “M*A*S*H” and co-writer of the film “Tootsie.” Anne Keefe, director and curator of the popular script in hand readings series said, “What’s not to love about almost anything written by the comedic genius Larry Gelbart?” Pictured (l-r) are Charles Socarides, Joanna Gleason, Chris Sarandon and Lenny Wolpe with Keefe in front. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce (WWCC) announced today a new event that residents can savor throughout March—the Great Westport Pizza Contest.

The contest kicks off Thursday at noon, as First Selectman Jim Marpe proclaims March as Westport Pizza Month, beginning at Joe’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant on Main Street. All are invited, said Matthew Mandell, WWCC executive director.

According to Mandell, 14 pizza making restaurants will compete in seven different categories “to be crowned Best Pizza Maker in Westport.”

He said residents can vote online for each category: best slice; best personal pizza; best meat pizza; best gluten free pizza; best veggie pizza; best plain pizza; and best delivered pizza.