Westport Country Playhouse Presents First Live Theatrical Performance since 2019: “Doubt: A Parable” Begins November 2
The cast of Westport Country Playhouse’s “Doubt: A Parable” – L-R, Front row: Sharina Martin, Betsy Aidem; back row: Eric Bryant, Kerstin Anderson.
Contributed Photo by Cynthia AstmannWestport Country PlayhouseMarking its first live theatrical production since 2019, Westport Country Playhouse will stage “Doubt: A Parable,” winner of 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award® for Best Play, from November 2 through November 20. A performance will also be filmed on stage for on-demand streaming in HD video from November 11 through November 21. Written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, “Doubt: A Parable” will culminate the Playhouse’s 90th anniversary year.
"It's a personal thrill for me to direct the first full production on the Playhouse stage after a nearly two-year hiatus,” said Kennedy. “And to do it with Shanley's remarkable play and this accomplished cast is deeply satisfying. Though a short and simple drama, ‘Doubt’ opens up worlds of complexity and profundity. It truly is a great American drama."
“Doubt: A Parable” is a play that promises to spark conversation. Sister Aloysius, a school principal with a mandate to uphold tradition, is certain something’s terribly wrong about the relationship between a young parish priest and a troubled boy. But beneath her moral crusade to reveal the horrible truth lies a chasm of doubt, where choices made can reverberate beyond imagination. For more information, visit: www.westportplayhouse.org/doubt
The cast includes Betsy Aidem as Sister Aloysius (Westport Country Playhouse’s “Appropriate”; Broadway’s “All the Way,” “Beautiful”; Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance; film “The Greatest Showman”; recurring role on television’s “Law & Order: SVU”); Kerstin Anderson as Sister James (Lincoln Center Theater’s “My Fair Lady” as Eliza Doolittle; Playwrights Horizons’ “Unknown Soldier” and its original cast album; North American Tour of “The Sound of Music” as Maria); Eric Bryant as Father Flynn (Westport Country Playhouse’s “The Understudy,” “The Invisible Hand” - Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor, “Room Service,” and a Script in Hand playreading of “Mr. Roberts”; Off-Broadway’s revival of “Angels in America”; regional credits include “Almost, Maine” - Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Ensemble; MFA, Yale School of Drama); and Sharina Martin as Mrs. Muller (“Z: The Beginning of Everything” on Amazon Prime; “Blind,” with Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore; and the television series, “Redrum”).
Playwright John Patrick Shanley won the 1988 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the film “Moonstruck.” He wrote and directed the film adaptation of his play, “Doubt,” and earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Shanley is the author of more than 23 plays, which have been translated and performed around the world.
Director David Kennedy is in his thirteenth season as Playhouse associate artistic director. He has directed Playhouse productions each season, including “Suddenly Last Summer,” “Loot,” and “The Invisible Hand,” which received the 2016 Connecticut Critics Circle (CCC) Award for Outstanding Production of a Play, and for which Kennedy won the CCC honor for Outstanding Director of a Play. He was previously with Dallas Theater Center, and was founding artistic director of The Lunar Society in Toronto and Milkman Theatre Group in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The creative team includes Charlie Corcoran, set design; Sarita Fellows, costume design; Carolina Ortiz Herrera, lighting design; Frederick Kennedy, sound design; Dana Tanner-Kennedy, dramaturg; Shane Schnetzler, production stage manager; and Tara Rubin Casting.
Performance schedule is Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. (No Wed. or Sat. matinees during preview week, Nov. 2 – 6). Special series feature LGBT Night on Nov. 4, Opening Night on Nov. 6, Sunday Symposium, featuring a conversation with director and cast members, on Nov. 7, Open Captions on Nov.14, and Thursday TalkBack on Nov.18. Distanced seating available on Wednesdays, Nov. 3, 10, and 17. Post-show audience discussions with community facilitators, dates TBA.
Running time is approximately 90 minutes; no intermission. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.
Tickets to attend in person start at $30. Tickets to stream on-demand are $25 individual, $50 pair, and $100 household. Each streaming purchase entitles the ticket buyer to one individual link.
For special offers to seniors, students, military, first responders, educators, and playwrights, visit https://www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/box-office/
The production of “Doubt: A Parable” is sponsored by the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation, and Judy and Scott Phares, with additional support from the Burry Fredrik Foundation. The 2021 season is generously supported by the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation. 2021 season Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.
Last year, the global pandemic shut down the Playhouse’s 2020 Season. During 2021, the Playhouse has produced online, outdoors, and on the radio as pandemic safety concerns prevented staging live theater. Easing guidelines at federal, state, and local levels, as well as those of theatrical unions, has allowed in-person theatrical productions to resume. Currently, patrons must be masked and fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine to attend an indoor performance and must show proof of vaccination with their valid ticket to enter. For updates on Covid-19 health and safety protocols at the Playhouse, visit https://www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/covid19safety/
All play titles, artists, dates, and formats are subject to change.
To purchase tickets, visit westportplayhouse.org, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse)
UConn’s Gant Complex at Storrs Campus Evacuating due to “Threat”
From UConn Storrs:
(STORRS CAMPUS- Due to a potential threat we are investigating, all persons at all persons at GANT (WEST, NORTH, AND SOUTH) evacuate safely and stay away from the area. Go to alert.uconn.edu
UPDATE
The evacuation at the Gant complex in Storrs is a precautionary measure because of a suspected hazmat incident that is confined to the area. Please avoid the area and await further information.
Visit: http://alert.uconn.edu for updates as they become available.
Dog Festival Postponed to October 17th
Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce
Due to potential rain and forecasted sustained winds the Westport Dog Festival scheduled for this Sunday October 10th, will now take place on Sunday October 17th 10-4pm , with a new back up rain date of October 24th.
After consultations with the Town, Fire Department and meteorologists, the combination of potential rain and wind has created a bad recipe for a fun all day event outside. Therefore the event is being postponed to the previously slated rain date of Sunday October 17th.
"The goal is always to have a fun, safe and dry event," said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Chamber." This is the prudent decision based on the forecast. We have been through this before and we look forward to a great festival next weekend."
This postponement is the third weather related move in five years for this event, with one year requiring a double rescheduling.
All up to date information on the festival can be found at www.westportwestonchamber.com
Cooking with Sam Seideman: Broccoli Rabe and Farro Salad
Chef’s Tips:
Don’t overcook the broccoli rabe. It should have a good bite!!
110% boil and shock the broccoli rabe. This will take the bitterness out of the vegetable.
Use variety with your tomatoes, and look for what’s at the store (try to alternate your colors).
Optional - add fruits and nuts to this salad. Apples, dried cranberries, and walnuts go really well in this salad.
Click Here for Westporter Sam Seideman’s Broccoli Rabe and Farro Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
Salad:
-2 bunches broccoli rabe
-One head of garlic
-Olive oil
-Salt/Pepper
-1 Cucumber - diced
-1/2 red onion - small dice
-2 C farro
-3 C spinach
-3 C arugula
-2 C cherry tomatoes ( I like using different colors like yellow, orange and red)
-5 sprigs of thyme
Dressing:
-1/2 C olive oil
-1/2 C balsamic vinegar
-1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
-2 tbsp honey
-Salt/Pepper
-Juice of one lemon
Directions:
Broccoli Rabe:
1. Slice the head of a garlic bulb off and drizzle with oil
2. Season with salt and pepper
3. Roast in tin foil at 425 for thirty minutes
4. Clean broccoli rabe and remove the tough part of the stem
5. Boil in water for about 2 minutes then submerge in ice water (shocking the vegetable)
6. Chop and add to a cast iron with butter and squeezed roasted garlic to sauté
7. Season w salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
Farro:
1. Rinse two cups of farro
2. Add to four cups of salted boiling water
3. Cool until farro is tender but still has a bite (about 20 minutes)
4. Allow to slightly cool
Dressing:
1. In a food processor add oil, balsamic, Dijon, honey, lemon, and salt/pepper
2. Blend on high until mixed and slightly thickened
Tomatoes:
1. Wash tomatoes
2. Toss in olive oil, thyme, salt/pepper
3. Roast at 425 for 25 minutes until they have a nice color on them
4. Allow to slightly cool
Salad Prep:
1. In a bowl toss together spinach, arugula, and farro.
2. Mix in the diced cucumber, red onion, and broccoli rabe
3. Dress the salad and enjoy!!