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Morning Weather Report

Today

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Tomorrow

Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph.

Tomorrow Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind 14 to 16 mph.

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James Bairaktaris James Bairaktaris

Police: Error in Connecticut Post Article, “I'm deeply apologetic for this mistake” says Response

Press Release

On January 31st, 2023 Connecticut Post newspaper published an article titled “Advocates call for policing reforms, as Lamont questions whether Tyre Nichols incident could happen in CT.”  This article discussed the recent events in Memphis and how that incident translates to Connecticut.  The author of the article, Alex Putterman, quoted Scot X. Esdaile, President of Connecticut’s NAACP chapter, “What we saw is what’s going on in America”.  The article goes on to quote Mr. Esdaile “It’s not only happening in Memphis, we’ve seen it in New Haven, we’ve seen it in Westport (hyperlink attached), we’ve seen it in Hartford, we’ve seen it in Bridgeport.  The same thing that we saw there we’re also seeing in Connecticut.”   The link associated with “Westport” references a case from 2011 in Westport, MA.  Understandably, members of the Westport Police Department were disappointed by this article because we feel we have worked hard to build relationships and have never had any incident that resembles what we saw in Memphis.


Initially, we reached out to Hearst Media and they admitted that the link was incorrect and should not be linked to Westport, CT.  Hearst Media deleted all mention of Westport from the article.  We reached out to Scot X. Esdaile and he provided the following statement:

“I Scot X. Esdaile the President of the CT NAACP State Conference, would like to apologize to Chief Foti Koskinas, the Westport Police Department and the Town of Westport.  During my interview with Alex Putterman from the CT Post, I misquoted stating Westport, CT when I should have said West Haven, CT.   I'm deeply apologetic for this mistake, I have had a conversation with the Chief along with Harold Bailey the Chairman of the Westport Civilian Review Panel, and we had a wonderful and energetic conversation.  I apologized during the call several times and we are looking forward to working together in the future.”


Chief Koskinas would like to highlight that once this article was brought our attention, the conversations between Mr. Esdaile and Chief Koskinas, were productive and brought about a positive resolution.

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Morning Weather Report

Today

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. North wind 6 to 8 mph.

Tomorrow

Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tomorrow Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

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James Bairaktaris James Bairaktaris

Westport Country Playhouse Announces Revised 2023 Season

Press Release

Westport Country Playhouse has reduced its 2023 season to three productions from the previously announced five. The change reflects the impact that COVID has had, and continues to have, on the Playhouse and the performing arts community nationwide, according to the Playhouse board of trustees and staff leadership.

“Although we learned how to produce shows safely last season — we never had to cancel a performance due to COVID illness! — audiences are coming back slowly and we have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels of participation,” said Gretchen Wright, Playhouse director of development and interim managing director. “As a result, in 2022 we successfully produced one musical and four plays but finished with low ticket revenue and a significant deficit – a fate similar to many other theaters in Connecticut.”

“Even in the best of times, ticket sales only cover 40% of a show’s cost,” noted Anna Czekaj-Farber, chair, Playhouse board of trustees.

“The board of trustees have been very engaged in supporting the theater and all the changes, proactively leading the Playhouse to brighter future,” Czekaj-Farber stated. “We are an agile organization and we are trying to adjust to ensure the longevity and health of this important institution that has been a part of our community for more than 90 years. We are confident that we are making the prudent decision that would allow us to prosper as we have many exciting plans for the future of this wonderful theater.”

The revised 2023 season will include three previously announced productions, each running three weeks: “Ain’t Misbehavin, from April 11 through April 29; “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” from July 11 through July 29; and “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play,” October 24 through November 11. 


The goal is also to focus on broadly appealing and revenue-positive programming, and on building deeper community partnerships. 


Current 2023 season ticket have been contacted by the Playhouse box office on how to claim the value of the canceled tickets by gift certificate, refund, or donation. 2023 Flex Pass holders have also been contacted.

“Stay tuned in the coming weeks for announcements of additional programming and events,” said Czekaj-Farber. “Thank you as always, to our loyal subscribers and new audience members for their support.”

For complete 2023 season details and season ticket information, visit: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/2023seasontickets

Single tickets for 2023 season productions will go on sale in March. 

All titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.

For more information, visit westportplayhouse.org, or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), Instagram (@wcplayhouse), and YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

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