Westport Country Playhouse and WSHU Public Radio Announce Radio Halloween Play “Spectres and Spirits”

Contributed photo. Richard R. Henry, playwright/actor

Westport Country Playhouse 

In the spirit of the Halloween season, Westport Country Playhouse Radio Theater, a free-of-charge broadcast series, will present an original audio play, “Spectres and Spirits,” airing on WSHU Public Radio on Saturday, October 30, at 12:06 p.m. (following the national news), with a rebroadcast on Sunday, October 31, at 4:06 p.m. Radio station frequencies and locations are listed at wshu.org. “Spectres and Spirits” will also be accessible on the Playhouse’s website (westportplayhouse.org) from November 1 – 21.  Playwright and lead performer is Richard R. Henry. Director of the play and curator of Playhouse Radio Theater is Mark Shanahan, who is also curator of the Playhouse’s Script in Hand playreadings.  

“From the wonderfully macabre mind of frequent Playhouse collaborator Richard R. Henry, comes ‘Spectres and Spirits’,” said Shanahan. “With a little nod to Orson Welles’ classic ‘War of the Worlds’  broadcast, which sounded so real audiences believed it to be a true news broadcast, Henry’s radio play perfectly mimics the format and sound of a modern podcast, allowing us to eavesdrop on a fun-filled tale of ghostly horror.

“Along with John Gromada’s pitch perfect and immersive original sound design and an expert cast joining our wonderful writer/performer, ’Spectres and Spirits’ delivers a neat trick and a chilling Halloween treat which our Playhouse Radio Theater listeners are sure to love,” added Shanahan.

In “Spectres and Spirits,” Jeff Switzer is the host of a popular and quirky ghost-hunting podcast. The play dramatizes the supposedly lost audio recordings from the last episode Switzer hosted before he went missing. 

The cast includes the playwright himself, Richard R. Henry as Jeff Switzer (Westport Country Playhouse’s “Room Service”; Off-Broadway’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona-The Musical”; Yale Repertory Theatre’s “Assassins”; and Goodspeed Musicals’ “Oliver!”  www.richardhenrynyc.com); Erin Elizabeth Clemons as Helen Davis (Broadway’s “Les Misérables,” “Hamilton”; National Tours of “Hamilton,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”); and Tina Johnson as Rose Miller (Broadway’s “State Fair,” “Damn Yankees,” “She Loves Me,” “South Pacific,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”).

Director Mark Shanahan appeared at Westport Country Playhouse in “Around the World in 80 Days,” “Tryst,” “Sedition,” “David Copperfield,” “Journey's End,” and over 20 Script in Hand playreadings, and directed readings of “Butterflies Are Free,” with Blythe Danner and Jonathan Groff, and “The Greatest Gift” by Weston playwright David Wiltse. He is the creator and curator of Westport Country Playhouse Radio Theater and writer/director of the Playhouse radio adaptation “A Merry Little Christmas Carol.” He is also curator of the Playhouse’s Script in Hand Series. New York acting credit includes “The 39 Steps,” “Small World,” “Checkers,” “Tryst,” “The Shaughraun,” “As Bees in Honey Drown,” and “The Internationalist.” His directorial work has been seen at Alley Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Virginia Stage, Arkansas Rep, White Heron, Fulton Opera House, Weston Playhouse, Florida Rep, Penguin Rep, Merrimack Rep, The Cape Playhouse, and many more. He has written numerous radio plays for White Heron’s Ghost Light Series (featuring Christopher Plummer and Judith Ivey, among others), and is the author of the Off-Broadway and regional hit comedy, “The Dingdong“; “A Merry Little Christmas Carol”; “A Murder at Fernly Hall”; and “A Sherlock Carol,” which premieres this fall Off-Broadway at New World Stages. www.mark-shanahan.net

John Gromada, sound design and original music, is a composer and sound designer for theater, film, television, and dance. He has been on the production team for 10 Westport Country Playhouse shows, including “Of Mice and Men.” Best known for his theater music for plays, he has written scores and designed sound for many critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway productions. Gromada received a Tony nomination for his work on “The Trip to Bountiful” and has also received three Drama Desk Awards, and the Lucille Lortel, Obie, Henry Hewes, Drama-Logue, EDDY, and Connecticut Critics Circle awards. www.johngromada.com.

Megan Smith is production coordinator.

Following the audio play will be a brief discussion with playwright and director of “Spectres and Spirits.”

The audio play runs approximately 30 minutes. Appropriate for ages eight and up.  Complete details at https://www.westportplayhouse.org/spectresandspirits

“Spectres and Spirits” marks the Playhouse’s third play commission for terrestrial radio and online audio platforms, in collaboration with WSHU. Productions are recorded for audio broadcast under strict Covid-19 protocols, with actors recording remotely from their own homes. 

The Playhouse’s 2021 Season continues with “Doubt: A Parable,” the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, playing November 2 through November 21. A complete schedule is available at westportplayhouse.org. 

2021 Season Sponsor is the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation. Production Sponsor is Barbara Samuelson.  2021 Season Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. 

All play titles, artists, dates, and formats are subject to change. 

For Westport Country Playhouse tickets and information, visit westportplayhouse.org, call (203) 227-4177, or email at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse). 

Letter to the Editor: “Chris is a valuable asset, and Representative of not only District 1, but our town as well.”

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

I would like to urge voters in District 1 to re-elect Chris Tait to the RTM on Election Day. As Chair of the RTM Parks and Recreation Committee, Chris has taken leadership roles in gaining consensus for the many improvements we have funded for recreation facilities like our new beach bathrooms, sidewalks and concession stand.

Chris is a valuable asset, and Representative of not only District 1, but our town as well. Chris is always accessible, willing to listen, and will continue to give 100% to his hometown.

Jimmy Izzo

Letters to the Editor are published as they are received unless denied publication at the discretion of the Executive Editor based on inaccurate information, defamation of another community member, and/or incomprehensible writing. Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor.

Stanley Joseph Kokoszka Sr., 93, Died; Beloved “Pops”, Former Westport Firefighter

Obituary

At the age of 93, Stanley Joseph Kokoszka Sr. joined his wife in heaven on the evening of Monday, October 11, 2021, surrounded by family in his home. Stanley, also referred to as "Sta" or "Pops" by his loved ones, grew up in the town of Westport, Connecticut, where he selflessly served as a firefighter for 38 years following his tenure in the military as a Korean war veteran.

He was raised by his parents, the late John and Veronica (Sztapkowska) Kokoszka and was the youngest of his four siblings, Frances, Bonnie, Matt, and Walter. He was loved by his family including his predeceased wife Wanda Kokoszka, and is survived by his sons Stanley Kokoszka Jr. and David Kokoszka, daughter in-law Paola Kokoszka, and grandchildren Natasha, Victoria, and Stanley Kokoszka III.

Pops was a talented golfer, skillful at the game of cribbage, and an avid gardener. He showed us that the little things could hold the utmost importance – tuning to a New York Yankees game, rooting for the New York Giants with his sons, or sharing a meal with loved ones. We'll cherish our memories of him forever.

Family and friends are welcome to attend calling hours on Friday, October 15, between 4-7 p.m. at Honan Funeral Home on 58 Main St., Newtown, CT. There will be a private burial.

Jim O’Donoghue, 83, Died; “A hardworking, dedicated and generous man”

Obituary 

On Sunday, October 10th, 2021, James (Jim) Cornelius O'Donoghue of Westport, CT, passed away after 83 wonderful years on this earth. He left his mark as a son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed.

Jim was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 29th, 1938. Following the tragic death of his father at a young age, Jim and his family moved to Cork. He was the captain of the rugby team at University College Cork where he earned a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and met the love of his life Margaret with whom he had three children. Working for Quigley, steel refractories, Jim travelled extensively bringing his daughters carefully selected mementos from all over the world. When the company was bought by Pfizer, the family moved to Westport, CT in 1984 where they made many great friends.

A hardworking, dedicated and generous man, Jim was a great athlete who ran regularly, golfed and rowed. He loved fishing, especially on Waterville Lake. He was wonderful historian and a great conversationalist and, to the delight of his children and grandchildren, a gripping storyteller. Dinner was always punctuated with discussions on politics and the latest news as well as funny anecdotes about travels and past experiences. Jim has written several books, including children's stories, and read avidly until his very last days. His was a particular fan of the Russian classics and spy novels. He would have loved the latest James Bond.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Margaret with whom he spent a remarkable 58 years. He also leaves behind his brother Neil, sister Anne, three daughters, Elma, Sharon and Lisa and their husbands Dan, Jack and Ilari, respectively, and grandchildren Ryan, Ciara, Maija and Sophie. Join Margaret and the family for a viewing and farewell at Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Westport, CT, on Sunday October 17th (3-6 pm). Mass will be held at St. Luke church also in Westport at 49 Turkey Hill North, on Monday the 18th at 11 a.m. Services will be live streamed at https://www.saintlukewestport.org/copy-of-live-stream-mass. Memorial Contributions in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or the American Parkinson's Disease Association at www.apdaparkinson.org