Welcome to the press room
For media inquiries, please contact:
Pat Blaufuss, Public Relations Manager
press@westportplayhouse.org
203-227-5137, ext. 197 or 203-571-1287 (email preferred)
Please use the links below to download PDFs of recent press releases.
2025
2024
Dec. 17, 2024: Holiday Entertainment Gift Ideas
Dec. 11, 2024: Playhouse Is Donation Site for Four Area Charities
Dec. 3, 2024: Family-Friendly Holiday Show, A Sherlock Carol, Returns for Second Year by Popular Demand!
Nov. 27, 2024: Script in Hand Reading of Comedy/Thriller True Art on December 2
Nov. 14, 2024: Volunteers Named to Playhouse Theatre Council
Nov. 13, 2024: Script in Hand Reading of New Play A Danger to Yourself and Others on November 18
Nov. 12, 2024: Alan Cumming & Ari Shapiro: Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret on November 22
Oct 30, 2024: Playhouse Offers Guided Tours
Oct 22, 2024: Sunday Symposium on The Films of Alfred Hitchcock
Oct 18, 2024: Casting Update for The 39 Steps, Starting October 22
Oct 3, 2024: Script in Hand Playreading of Witch on Monday, October 7
Oct. 2, 2024: The 39 Steps Opens 2024-25 Season on October 22
Sept. 19, 2024: Barnstormer Ghost Stories and Legends on October 10
Sept. 17, 2024: Screening of Rear Window and Talk on Alfred Hitchcock on Oct. 2
Sept. 12, 2024: Perfectly Westport, a Chat with Bestselling Author on September 30
Sept. 6, 2024: Education Program Playhouse Playmakers in October
Sept. 5, 2024: Artistic Director Mark Shanahan Gives Update on Playhouse’s Transition and Future
Sept. 4, 2024: Cast Announced for Sept. 9 Script in Hand Playreading
Sept. 3, 2024: Disney TV Performers Imagination Movers on September 22
August 23, 2024: Laura Benanti Joins Talent Lineup for Annual Fundraiser
August 16, 2024: More Talent Announced for September 14 Fundraiser
August 15, 2024: Script in Hand Playreading of Satchel Paige and The Kansas City Swing on Sept. 9
August 8, 2024: Book Signing with Pinkalicious Author/Illustrator
August 6, 2024: An Evening with Fran Lebowitz on Thursday, September 5
July 30, 2024: Playhouse Hosts Tag Sale and Tours in August
July 23, 2024: Pinkalicious, The Musical on Saturday, August 17
July 18, 2024: Kristin Chenoweth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell in Annual Fundraiser on Sat., Sept. 14
July 9, 2024: They Made It a Musical! Celebrates the Origins of Broadway Hit Shows, July 18-20
June 21, 2024: 2024 Joanne Woodward Internship Class
June 18, 2024: The Bacon Brothers: Freestanding Tour on July 25 – Sold Out!
June 13, 2024: New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players on June 28 and 29
June 12, 2024: Pop Singer Sophie B. Hawkins with New Musical on June 25
June 6, 2024: Script in Hand Playreading of Political Satire on June 10
June 5, 2024: “Project Runway’s” Isaac Mizrahi in Concert on June 15
June 4, 2024: Award-winning Film, Sponsored by TEAM Westport, on June 14
May 29, 2024: Tony Kushner in Conversation with Mary-Louise Parker
May 23, 2024: The Playhouse Sings: A Night for Swifties and More on June 1
May 10, 2024: Comedian Mike Birbiglia‘s Please Stop the Ride on June 4, 5, and 7
May 9, 2024: Celebrating Global Work of Girl Rising on May 29
May 7, 2024: Script in Hand Playreading of Comedic Mystery, Mrs. Christie
May 1, 2024: 2024-25 Theatre Season Announced with Slate of Comedies
April 23, 2024: Broadway Star Bernadette Peters on Sunday, May 19
April 18, 2024: Ari Axelrod in Celebration of Jewish Broadway on May 8
April 16, 2024: All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
April 10, 2024: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus on Apr. 27
April 9, 2024: Barnstormer Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile
April 4, 2024: Script in Hand Playreading of Brand-New Comedy
March 22, 2024: Kayfabe Puppet Wrestling, Barnstormer Event, on Mar. 30
March 20, 2024: An Evening with Judy Collins on April 12
March 12, 2024: Mic in Hand Event with Jean Louisa Kelly on April 4
March 6, 2024: Guided Tours of the Playhouse Available
March 5, 2024: Script in Hand Playreading of The Trip to Bountiful
Feb. 29, 2024: New Leadership Team: Mark Shanahan, Artistic Director and Beth Huisking, Managing Director
Feb. 21, 2024: Applications Open for 2024 Joanne Woodward Internship Program
Jan. 25, 2024: Script in Hand Playreading about Sports Legend Vince Lombardi
Jan. 19, 2024: Judy Collins, The Bacon Brothers, All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, On Sale with New Encore Club
Jan. 17, 2024: Board of Trustees Elects Six Members
Jan. 12, 2024: A Night for Swifties, with the Music of Taylor Swift, on Feb. 2
Jan. 10, 2024: An Evening with Audra McDonald on February 10
Jan. 3, 2024: Voices for Volunteers Concert on January 24
2023
Dec. 21, 2023: Good Witch/Bad Witch with Stars of Wicked on Jan. 20
Dec. 14, 2023: Raising Funds for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Dec. 13, 2023: Holiday Entertainment Gift Ideas at the Playhouse
Dec. 7, 2023: Together at the Table Family Dinner on Wed., Dec. 20
Nov. 30, 2023: Playhouse Is Donation Drop-off for Two Local Charities
Nov. 29, 2023: Cast Announced for Holiday Family Show, A Sherlock Carol
Nov. 28, 2023: Script in Hand Playreading of Political Drama, Warrior Class, Mon., Dec. 4
Nov. 15, 2023: Family Festivities Presents The Lightning Thief, Sat., Dec. 2
Nov. 3, 2023: Script in Hand Playreading of Comedy, Theatre People, Nov. 13
Oct. 19, 2023: Family-Friendly Holiday Show, A Sherlock Carol, in December
Sept. 20, 2023: First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald on Playhouse Stage October 27 – November 5
Sept. 14, 2023: Broadway Talents Join I’ll Drink to That! A Broadway Cocktail Party
Sept. 13, 2023: Tony Award Winner Debra Monk Joins Playreading on September 18
Sept. 6, 2023: I’ll Drink to That! A Broadway Cocktail Hour, on Friday, September 22
Sept. 5, 2023: 2019 Tony Award Winner Celia Keenan-Bolger Heads Playreading Cast
Aug. 29, 2023: Staples H.S. Alumni/Players Join Justin Paul Concert Cast
Aug. 24, 2023: Mandy Patinkin in Concert on Thurs., Sept. 28
Aug. 22, 2023: Guest Artists Join An Evening with Justin Paul & Friends
Aug. 8, 2023: Reading of Romantic Comedy Maytag Virgin on Mon., Aug. 21
Aug. 3, 2023: An Evening with Justin Paul & Friends with Kelli O’Hara and James Naughton Benefit Concert on Sat., Sept. 9
Aug. 3, 2023: Results at July 31 Deadline for “Save Your Playhouse” Campaign
July 25, 2023: Save Your Playhouse Campaign Update
July 21, 2023: Mark Shanahan Named Incoming Artistic Director for 2024-25 Season
July 6, 2023: Admission-free, Guided Backstage Tours in July and August
July 5, 2023: Adapter of Dial M for Murder Is Symposium Guest
June 29, 2023: Summer Thrillers: A Mystery Author Discussion on July 9
June 27, 2023: 2023 Woodward Internship Class
June 22, 2023: New Adaptation of Suspense Thriller Dial M for Murder
June 20, 2023: Plan to Transform and Save Historic Theater Announced
June 1, 2023: Playhouse Open House on Saturday, June 10
May 30, 2023: Reading of Agatha Christie Murder Mystery on June 12
May 26, 2023: Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Documentary Screening
May 25, 2023: Comedy Quick Service Is New Work Playreading on June 5
May 23, 2023: Family Festivities Presents Musical The Magic School Bus
May 11, 2023: Departure of Artistic Director Mark Lamos in January 2024
May 5, 2023: Family Festivities Series Presents Musical The Pout-Pout Fish
May 2, 2023: Celebration of Jewish Musical Theater on May 15
April 24, 2023: Post-Play Dialogue on Music Education by KEYS Founder
April 20, 2023: New Works Series Opens with Comedy/Mystery Bad Accents
April 6, 2023: Lobby Exhibit Explores Music of Harlem Renaissance
March 30, 2023: Playhouse Seeks Volunteer Ushers
March 29, 2023: Tony Award® Winner André De Shields Is Symposium Guest
March 23, 2023: Playhouse and Bank of America Mark 20-Year Partnership
March 22, 2023: Patti LuPone in Concert on Thursday, June 15
March 16, 2023: Season Opener Is Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical
March 14, 2023: More Shows Added to 2023 Season
March 9, 2023: Casting Announced for Suspense Thriller Mauritius
March 6, 2023: 2023 Season Kicks Off with 23% Ticket Discount on Mar. 7
February 27, 2023: Applications Now Open for 2023 Internship Program
February 21, 2023: Playhouse Mobile Unit Begins with Showcase on Mar. 5
February 15, 2023: Musical about Pete the Cat on Sun., Feb. 26
February 14, 2023: Playwright Theresa Rebeck Will Direct Playreading
February 3, 2023: Script in Hand Playreading of Biting Comedy
January 30, 2023: Playhouse Announces Revised 2023 Season
January 17, 2023: Woof Woof the Shadow Pup, a Shadow Theater Musical for Families, on February 12
2022
December 13, 2022: Playhouse Radio Theater’s A Merry Little Christmas Carol on WSHU and WCP Website
December 6, 2022: Script in Hand Playreading of Comedy, Bad Jews
November 30, 2022: Erika K. Wesley Named Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
November 11, 2022: Script in Hand Playreading of Comedy, Ripcord
November 10, 2022: Playhouse Board of Trustees Announce Managing Director Resignation
October 19, 2022: League of Women Voters of Westport Offers Election 2022 Information in Playhouse Lobby
October 18, 2022: A. R. Gurney’s The Cocktail Hour Added to 2023 Season Lineup
October 14, 2022: New Works Initiative Stages Reading of The Incubators, Exploring Timely Political Issues
October 7, 2022: Collaboration with Westport Museum for The Great Migration Exhibit
October 7, 2022: Paul Newman’s Memoir To Be Discussed at Westport Country Playhouse, Hosted by Barrett Bookstore
October 4, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Hosts Black Excellence Night, a Gathering for Black-identifying Patrons
October 3, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Announces Winners in 4000 Miles Bike Giveaway
September 23, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Stages Pulitzer Prize-Nominated Play From the Mississippi Delta
September 19, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Launches Playhouse Mobile Unit
September 1, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Announces 2023 Season
August 5, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Announces “4000 Miles” Bike Giveaway
July 27, 2022: Pulitzer Prize Finalist and Obie Award-winning Comedy/Drama 4000 Miles Begins August 23
July 22, 2022: Tony Award-winning Hamilton Star Renée Elise Goldsberry Headlines September Gala
June 30, 2022: Sunday Symposium on July 10 with Ins Choi, Playwright of Kim’s Convenience
June 22, 2022: Announcing 2022 Woodward Internship Class
June 8, 2022: Comedy Kim’s Convenience, Inspired by Multi-season Netflix Series, Starts July 5
May 24, 2022: Free-of-Charge Events Exploring Comedy Straight White Men
May 17, 2022: Script in Hand Playreading of The Scream, A Musical Comedy Fantasy
May 3, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Stages Comedy Straight White Men
Apr. 29, 2022: Three Playwrights Commissioned through a Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award
Apr. 26, 2022: Registration Open for CampWCP, Summer Theater Camp for Middle School Students
Apr. 20, 2022: New Podcast Series Launched: Stories from the Playhouse
Apr. 20, 2022: Opening Night Photos for Next to Normal
Apr. 12, 2022: Announcing $150K Matching Gift Challenge
Apr. 5, 2022: Dig Deeper – Series of Free-of-Charge Events Explore Pop/Rock Musical Next to Normal
Apr. 4, 2022: Next to Normal April 5 Preview Performance Cancelled Due to Technical Issues
Mar. 25, 2022: Seeking Volunteer Ushers
Mar. 11, 2022: Casting Announced for Script in Hand Playreading of Dot
Mar. 9, 2022: Next to Normal, Pop/Rock Musical, Opens April 5
Mar. 3, 2022: Script in Hand Playreading of Dot, a Comedy/Drama
Mar. 2, 2022: Family Festivities Musical Rosie Revere, Engineer, and Friends
Mar. 1, 2022: Single Tickets on Sale March 1 for 2022 Season
Feb. 18, 2022: Sandra Bernhard Brings Comedy and Music on Mar. 12
Feb. 15, 2022: Westport Country Playhouse Elects Five to Board of Trustees
Feb. 10, 2022: Applications Open for 2022 Woodward Internship Program
Feb. 1, 2022: Script in Hand Playreading of Thriller Murder by Misadventure
Jan. 18, 2022: PBS Concert Series Stars on Stage from Westport Country Playhouse with Tony Nominee Brandon Victor Dixon on Jan. 21
Jan. 11, 2022: PBS Concert Series Stars on Stage from Westport Country Playhouse with Billboard #1 Recording Artist Shoshana Bean on Jan. 14
Jan. 6, 2022: PBS Concert Series Stars on Stage from Westport Country Playhouse Begins Jan. 7 with Tony Winner Gavin Creel
Jan. 5, 2022: Playhouse Announces Update on 2022 Season
2021
Dec. 20, 2021: Playhouse Radio Theater’s A Merry Little Christmas Carol
Dec. 8, 2021: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Speaker Announced
Dec. 7, 2021: Stars on Stage from Westport Country Playhouse Premieres on PBS
Nov. 30, 2021: Script in Hand Playreading of A Merry Little Christmas Carol
Nov. 28, 2021: Statement on the Death of Stephen Sondheim
Nov. 23, 2021: Playhouse Youth Council Presents Winter Fun Fest
Nov. 19, 2021: Early-bird Registration Starts Today for Summer CampWCP
Nov. 2, 2021: Discussions Open to the Community on Doubt: A Parable
Oct. 27, 2021: Family Fun Day Changed to Sunday, October 31, 11am to 3pm
Oct. 15, 2021: Outdoor Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 30, 12 to 4 p.m.
Oct. 14, 2021: Playhouse Radio Theater’s Halloween Play Spectres and Spirits
Oct. 7, 2021: Live Theatrical Productions Resume with Doubt: A Parable
Sept 28, 2021: In-Person and Virtual Script in Hand Playreading of Comedy
Sept 16, 2021: 2022 Season Announced
August 30, 2021: CFPT Announces Vaccination and Mask Mandate
August 18, 2021: Comp Tix to Essential Workers for Concerts
August 12, 2021: Archival Streaming of Man of La Mancha, Of Mice and Men
August 6, 2021: Stars on Stage to Be Taped for National Television
July 29, 2021: Announcing Return to In-Person Productions This Fall
July 14, 2021: New Works Initiative Presents Culture Shock
July 13, 2021: An Evening with Ali Stroker In Person on July 24
July 2, 2021: Archival HD Video of Of Mice and Men Set to Stream
July 1, 2021: Playhouse/WSHU Partner for Radio Theater’s Special Delivery
June 30, 2021: “Story Hour with Jenny” Presents Reading of Wings
June 24, 2021: LGBT Night Out at Troupe429 in Norwalk on June 29
June 23, 2021: Virtual Symposium for Timely New Comedy, Tiny House
June 22, 2021: In-Person Screening of Tiny House on 90th Anniversary
June 17, 2021: Playhouse Elects Four New Trustees
June 15, 2021: Playhouse Marks 90th Anniversary on June 29
June 9, 2021: 2021 Woodward Internship Class
June 8, 2021: “Connecticut Comedy Festival,” June 18 – 25
June 2, 2021: Script in Hand of Comedy The Savannah Disputation
May 27, 2021: “Story Hour with Jenny” Reads Lubaya’s Quiet Roar
May 26, 2021: 2021 New Works Initiative Season Begins
May 18, 2021: Playhouse Radio Theater’s The Return
May 14, 2021: “Cabaret in the Robards” to Benefit Reopening
May 13, 2021: Virtual Production of Timely, New Comedy Tiny House
May 13, 2021: Grant Received from National Endowment for the Arts
April 29, 2021: New Summer Theater CampWCP in July
April 27, 2021: Single Tickets on Sale May 4 for All-Virtual 2021 Season
April 7, 2021: “From Concept to Curtain” Features Mlima’s Tale
March 26, 2021: Script in Hand of Comedy Rent Control
March 24, 2021: “Story Hour with Jenny” Presents English/Spanish Book
March 19, 2021: Announcing All-Virtual 2021 Season
March 17, 2021: “Acting for the Camera” for Young Artists
March 15, 2021: “Phenomenal Women” Stories for Women’s History Month
March 5, 2021: “Story Hour with Jenny” Virtual Series Starts March 14
March 5, 2021: CNN’s Alisyn Camerota Elected to Board of Trustees
March 3, 2021: Conversation with Westport and Hartford Artistic Directors
February 12, 2021: Conversation about Thornton Wilder’s Our Town
February 11, 2021: Virtual Script in Hand Playreading of Mystery Mashup
February 10, 2021: Announcing the Playhouse Youth Council
February 5, 2021: Statement on the Death of Christopher Plummer
February 2, 2021: Playhouse Launches New Series, “From Concept to Curtain”
January 8, 2021: Five Westport Organizations Partner for MLK Celebration Event with Author Layla F. Saad
2020
December 19, 2020: The Playhouse Partners with WSHU for Radio Drama A Merry Little Christmas Carol
November 19, 2020: The Playhouse Premieres Virtual Discussion Series, “Cocktails With Mark”
November 13, 2020: The Playhouse Launches Two Advocacy Groups
October 17, 2020: Playhouse at the Drive-In Gala Benefit
August 5, 2020: Connecticut Flagship Producing Theaters Ask for Relief
July 9, 2020: THRIVE Virtual Showcase, with Kelli O’Hara
May 27, 2020: Announcing a $250K Matching Gift Challenge
April 14, 2020: The Playhouse Postpones the 2020 Season
April 17,2020: “Getting to Know You” Livestream Event, with Kelli O’Hara and Fairfield County Young Artists
April 1, 2020: Script in Hand Playreading Series Rescheduled Due to Pandemic
March 23, 2020: Announcing Changes in 2020 Season Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
March 23, 2020: Script in Hand Playreading of Comedy Mrs. Mannerly on March 23
Single Tickets on Sale Tuesday, March 10, at Noon EDT for 90th Season at Westport Country Playhouse
2019
Westport Country Playhouse Announces Co-curator of Script in Hand Playreading Series
Westport Country Playhouse Awarded $50,000 Challenge Grant from Newman’s Own Foundation
Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand Playreading of Romantic Comedy Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Westport Country Playhouse’s Family Festivities Series Presents Peter Pan on Sunday, December 8
Westport Country Playhouse Presents Sunday Symposium for World Premiere Translation/Adaptation of Moliere’s Don Juan
Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand Playreading of Comedy/Drama Visting Mr. Green
Mlima’s Tale: Discovery Series Offers Free Events and Programs at Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse Announces 2020 Season
Westport Country Playhouse’s New Works Initiative Continues in July and August
Westport Country Playhouse Presents Sunday Symposium for Irving Berlin Musical Tribute
Westport Country Playhouse Welcomes Newman’s Own Foundation Fellow
Westport Country Playhouse Presents Musical Tribute to Legendary Songwriter Irving Berlin
Westport Country Playhouse’s New Works Initiative Continues in Fourth Consecutive Year
Westport Country Playhouse Elects Four New Board of Trustees Members
Westport Country Playhouse Presents Sunday Symposium for Dominique Morisseau’s Skeleton Crew
Westport Country Playhouse Receives Grant from National Endowment for the Arts
Westport Country Playhouse Presents Sunday Symposium on In the Heights
Tony Award-winning Musical In the Heights Extends Run Through May 19 at Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand Playreading of Murder Too by Weston’s David Wiltse
Westport Country Playhouse Opens Season with Tony Award-winning Musical In the Heights
Single Tickets on Sale Monday, March 25, at Noon EDT for 2019 Season at Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse Hosts 2019 Season Kick-off on Saturday, March 30
Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand Playreading of Tricks of the Trade on Monday, March 25
Westport Country Playhouse Appoints New Director of Development
Westport Country Playhouse Family Festivities Musical The Wizard of Oz on Sunday, March 17
Westport Country Playhouse’s Family Festivities Musical Story Pirates Celebrates Creative Writing by Students
Impending Weather Postpones Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Westport Country Playhouse
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Features 2018 Pulitzer Prize Winner at Westport Country Playhouse on Sunday, January 20
Westport Country Playhouse Presents The Moth – True Stories, Told Live, on January 25
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