The One that Westport Wants: Standing Ovation for Staples Players - GREASE Performances Continue
(click to enlarge) As the Staples Players took to their final number, members of the audience took to their feet in a standing ovation for the Players show. All photos by WestportLocal.com(click to enlarge) WestportLocal.com photoThe music of Grease filled the Staples High School corridors Sunday afternoon as the Staples Players continued their on-stage performance of the seventies classic.
Last Spring the Staples Players celebrated their return to the stage - after over two years - during their opening night of Words, Words, Words… and Music; the socially-distant audience was capped at 1/3 capacity.
With 100% capacity approved for Grease, the Players’ opening night on Thursday celebrated a full audience for the first time since 2019.
The anticipated magic that the Players are known for brought a tangible feeling of excitement before Sunday afternoon’s performance; some of the younger audience members couldn’t even remember their last Staples show without social distancing separating them from their neighbors.
(click to enlarge) WestportLocal.com photoHowever when the house lights dimmed, the packed house greeted the performers as they took to the stage. The energy was electrifying (no, not hydromatic) as the dozens of Westport teens danced, sang, and coiffed their hair to the toe-tapping families below. Through special effects, lighting, and pure talent - the hundreds in attendance were unknowingly transformed back to the 1950s for the remainder of their Sunday.
With Grease, the Staples Players continue to add another layer of “getting back to normal” for Westport; the community converged on the local high school auditorium while taking time to catch up with friends and neighbors seated near them or during the show’s intermission.
Another local tradition revived.
Due to popular demand, the Players added an additional feature of the show for this Thursday night. Tickets are still available, with all funding going to support the widely renowned acting group and the work that they do. All audience members must be masked while indoors, and must present proof of COVID-10 vaccination or testing.
For more information, visits staplesplayers.com.
Celebrating 10th Annual ADL Walk Against Hate
Arthur Cohen, Alan Honigstein, and Shira Honigstein joined the ADL’s 10th annual Walk Against Hate movement that ended at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge this morning. The walk began at the Old Hill green and was lead by a few dozen community members just after 10:00 this morning. WestportLocal.com photo
Community Members Walk against Hate to Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge
Local community members walked from the Old Hill neighborhood down to the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge in Downtown Westport today to condemn “antisemitism, bias, bullying and all forms of hate”, according to the ADL. 2021 marks the tenth year that the Anti Defamation League has supported the Walk Against Hate movements - with more than 100,000 participants joining in on walks throughout the country today. A few dozen walkers lined the eastern portion of the bridge to wave and speak with passersby. WestportLocal.com photo
Westporter Takes Porsche Prize at Air Cooled Car Show on Veteran’s Green
Mike Marett and his daughter Florence with their 1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 2. Westporter Mike Marett, with daughter Florence, accept their prize for best Porsche from the Small Car Company’s judges during this morning’s Air Cooled Car Show on Veteran’s Green. Marett’s 1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 2 received high-praise from the local gearheads as a Japanese model that was imported to the United States and kept in its high-performing state. Marett acquired the car two years ago and travels to shows across the country with it - most recently attending the Luftgekühlt festival in Indianapolis, Indiana that celebrates the Country’s “Luftgekühlt” cars - Porsche’s air-cooled models.