Star on Stage Brandon Victor Dixon Debuts Tomorrow Night after Country Playhouse Recording
Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-nominee Brandon Victor Dixon. Photo contributed by Carol RoseggWestport Country PlayhouseSTARS ON STAGE FROM WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE, a series of three concerts on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video app, features Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, on Friday, January 21, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET (check local listings).
Dixon has electrified television audiences with his performances in Jesus Christ Superstar and Rent: Live and also starred in numerous Broadway shows including Hamilton, The Color Purple and Motown: The Musical. Concert preview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IdGQOqFU44
Filmed live at the historic Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut, the concert series premiered on January 7 with Tony and Olivier Award-winner Gavin Creel, followed on January 14 by Billboard #1 recording artist Shoshana Bean.
Andrew Carl Wilk is the series creator. Executive producers are Andrew Carl Wilk, Annette Jolles and Donald H. Thoms. Executive in Charge for PBS is Zara Frankel. “Brandon Victor Dixon” is directed by Annette Jolles with Michael O. Mitchell as Music Director. Set Design by Travis George. Lighting Design by Alan Adelman.
Major support for STARS ON STAGE FROM WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE is provided by Roz and Bud Siegel, Judy and Scott Phares, Eunice and David Bigelow, Kate and Bob Devlin with additional funding provided by Joyce Hergenhan, Anna Czekaj-Farber, Mary Ellen and Jim Marpe, Christian J. and Eva Trefz, and Stacy and Howard Bass.
STARS ON STAGE FROM WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE will stream simultaneously with broadcast and be available on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video app, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO.
“Bob” Robert Hatcher Weiss, 90, Died; Westporter, Veteran, Businessman
Robert Hatcher Weiss, “Bob”, in Westport, formerly of Boston, passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Joyce at his side on January 15, 2022.
He was born in Cambridge on September 11, 1931, the son of Elizabeth and Dr. Soma Weiss. During his childhood, he developed a deep sense of curiosity during his summers in Keene Valley, NY, and enhanced his early education at Shady Hill School and Milton Academy (class of 1950). He received a Bachelor's Degree from Harvard College (class of 1954), where he became the varsity hockey team manager as a freshman. In his sophomore year, he was introduced to the discipline of writing by becoming the Harvard sports correspondent for the Boston Herald American.
After graduating from college, Bob served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery, 1954-1956, and was stationed in Germany where he met his first wife, Ruth Underwood, and subsequently had four children. He held a number of positions in various advertising and marketing companies. In 1972, he created Robert Weiss Associates, a public relations and marketing company which worked with a variety of clients including the CVS Roadside Service Program, Gillette's Introduction of the PaperMate Erasable Pen, King Arthur Flour, Purdue Chicken, New Balance and The Copley Plaza Hotel. He purchased the Boston Airport Journal in 1983, and subsequently began 3 other newspapers in the Boston area devoted to the travel industry. He also broadcasted travel commentaries for WBZ radio for over two decades. Bob was a former governor of the Boston Athletic Association, and successfully completed nine marathons. He served on the King Arthur Flour Board of Directors, was an Incorporator of The Harvard Magazine and helped create the Harvard Shop.
Bob enjoyed his weekend retreats in Westport that was purchased in 1991 so much that he and his wife Joyce moved there full time in 2021. A dedicated traveler, he was lucky to have visited China, Russia, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Cape Town, Hungary, Canada, and Europe among other destinations. He hated the word retirement and continued his interest about what was going on in the world.
He recently wrote a book, entitled Media Man, chronicling his adventures in the business world. But more than anything, he treasured his time with the family, and loved the energy of all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His motto was "family is everything" and was evidenced by the lively family reunions, especially the Christmas cruise.
Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce; and his four children, Elizabeth Comins of Hingham, Laura Weiss Sanchez of Buenos Aires, Lucy Weiss of Weymouth, and Robert Weiss Jr., of Eugene, Oregon. In addition, he is survived by his nine grandchildren who affectionately called him "Popey": Nicolas and Sol Sanchez, Virginia Sanchez, Carly and Simeon Fromberg, Victoria Sanchez and Marcel Herold, Courtney Caroline Comins, Allyson Bergeron, Hadley Weiss, Michael Bergeron, Jr., and Bode Weiss. He also leaves his four great-grandchildren: Ella Sanchez, Luka Herold, Mozelle Bee Fromberg, and Isabelle Zoe Herold. He is also survived by his sister, Louise Weiss of Cambridge. His brother, Paul Weiss, predeceased Bob. A private Service for the family has been held.
Maritime Aquarium Welcomes Teens to Apply for Volunteer Positions
Contributed photo. The Maritime Aquarium Share your enthusiasm about marine animals and, in doing so, help to create more new stewards for Long Island Sound by signing up to serve as a volunteer of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Sign-up deadlines are approaching soon for separate February trainings: to become Gallery Ambassadors (ages 18 and up) and for a new volunteer program for ages 14 to 18 called ECHO (Education Conservation Heritage and Outreach).
“Volunteering here is fun and personally rewarding,” said Ann Marie Lisi, the Aquarium’s associate director of education. “Weekday shifts are perfect for retirees and stay-at-home parents after they get their kids off to school. And the new ECHO program offers a great experience for high-school students thinking about a career in marine biology or the environmental sciences.”
The volunteer program is critical to The Maritime Aquarium’s ability to fulfill its mission of educating and inspiring guests about Long Island Sound and the world ocean. Last year, volunteers gave an invaluable 18,575 hours of service.
Gallery Ambassadors
By engaging with guests and interpreting exhibits – such as the new seal exhibit, Shark & Ray Touch Pool and “Jiggle A Jelly” – Gallery Ambassadors raise awareness and help to create new stewards of the Sound. Prior knowledge about the marine world isn't necessary. That's what will be taught in the upcoming training course.
Deadline to sign up is Thurs., Feb. 3, followed by virtual interviews with applicants on Feb. 8 and Feb. 10.
Selected candidates will be invited to evening training workshops on Tues., Feb. 15 and Thurs., Feb. 24 (both live online) and on Thurs., Feb. 17 and Tues., Feb. 22 (both at the Aquarium). Participation in all four sessions is required. Candidates also must complete an online course.
You must be at least 18 years old to sign up. Adult volunteers are especially needed for weekday time slots. The minimum time commitment required of Aquarium volunteers is 100 total hours, at four hours per week for weekday volunteers and four hours per month for weekend staff.
For Gallery Ambassadors, a $50 fee covers the costs of training materials and uniforms.
ECHO (teens)
ECHO is designed for high-school students who are passionate about the environment, conservation and The Maritime Aquarium. They’ll staff special interactive displays and lead Aquarium guests through mission-aligned activities, guide young guests in the new “Sea & Discover Zone” exhibit opening soon, and participate in hands-on community-science opportunities in the field focusing on marine debris.
In this new tiered program, teens also will have opportunities to rise through responsibility levels as they interact with guests, staff mission celebrations, and help mentor and supervise ECHO teens at lower levels.
“ECHO teens will gain valuable, transferable skills that will aid them in preparation for life after high school,” Lisi said. “We’re excited by how the program will create confident community advocates who are well-versed in both local and global conservation issues and initiatives.”
Anyone ages 14 to 18 and currently enrolled in high school is welcome to apply to ECHO.
Sign up between Feb. 1 and March 1. Virtual interviews with applicants will be held on Wed., March 9 and Fri., March 11.
Selected candidates will be invited to evening training workshops on Wed., March 16 and Fri., March 18 (both virtual) and on Sat., March 19 (at the Aquarium). Participation in all three sessions is required. Candidates also must complete an online course.
During the school year, ECHO teens must volunteer during two shifts per month on weekends and holidays, plus additional hours for citizen science and professional-development opportunities. A minimum of 50 hours is required for each of the fall and spring trimesters. Time commitments change during the summer trimester.
The Maritime Aquarium is grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for awarding a grant to support the launch of the ECHO program. Thanks to the grant, the $50 registration fee is waived through August 2023.
All Maritime Aquarium volunteers receive discounts in the Gift Shop, Cascade Café, 4D Theater and on many programs.
The Maritime Aquarium is fully open with special COVID precautions for guests, volunteers and staff. Masks must be worn by everyone over age 2, no matter their vaccination status. And all staff and active volunteers must be fully vaccinated.
Learn more – and sign up – at www.maritimeaquarium.org/volunteer.