'tick, tick…BOOM!' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' Headline Westport's 2009 Season

An adaptation of the renowned novel and film "To Kill a Mockingbird" and a contemporary musical by the creator of "Rent" will be part of the six-play 2009 season at Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) in Westport, CT. The historic theatre's 79th season will run April 21 through December 2009.

Subscriptions are now available for the best seats at the deepest discounts, an average of 20% off the regular ticket price. Subscribers have the option to purchase 6-play, 5-play or 4-play packages. Single tickets for non-subscribers are also on sale.

"We've selected a diverse 2009 season, from plays that provide insight and inspiration, to those that offer charm and great fun," said Anne Keefe, artistic director. "There are buried treasures as well as new voices that will engage and captivate our audiences as only live theatre can."

The six productions, in order of presentation with dates to be determined, are:

"To Kill a Mockingbird," based on the novel by Harper Lee and directed by Michael Wilson, is the stage adaptation of one of the best loved American novels and films. The play draws a tender portrait of a small town in the Deep South at a time when tolerance, justice and heroism were colliding with deep-rooted prejudice and bigotry. The staging will be a co-production with Hartford Stage.

"Children," is a timeless and touching family drama by A.R. Gurney, the playwright who penned "The Dining Room," "Sylvia" and "Love Letters." When their mysterious brother, Pokey, returns to the family's beachside vacation home, all the family plans crumble as love affairs and family secrets explode.

"How the Other Half Loves," a classic comedy written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by John Tillinger, is from the playwright and director who recently brought to the Playhouse the hit comedies "Time of My Life" and "Relatively Speaking." A late night affair turns into a dinner party to remember where comedy is the main course.

"tick, tick...BOOM!" is a modern musical, with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, who created the smash hit "Rent." The engaging musical captures the struggles of a starving artist and his determination to live out his dream. A recent off-Broadway production won the Outer Critics Circle Award for outstanding musical. Mature language and themes.

A play in the fifth slot will be announced in the next few months. The schedule is left open at this time to allow the Playhouse the flexibility to accept an exciting project that may come available soon.

The sixth play in the series, "Around the World in 80 Days," written by Mark Brown and adapted from the book by Jules Verne, is a charming tale for adults and children alike. Phileas Fogg and his ever loyal man-servant Passepartout take the stage in this side-splitting global adventure complete with elephants, steamboats and trains. Director is Charlotte Moore.

In addition to the six-play series, "The Greatest Gift," a world premiere by David Wiltse, Westport Country Playhouse's playwright-in-residence, will be the Playhouse's holiday offering for the entire family.

The 2009 performance schedule is Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Special series feature Previews, Opening Nights, TalkBack Thursdays, Symposium Sundays, Backstage Pass and Open Captioning.

Celebrating its 79th season in 2009, the venerable Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors; Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) is creating innovative new works and dynamic revivals. The Playhouse has produced more than 700 plays, 36 of which later transferred to Broadway including "Come Back, Little Sheba" with Shirley Booth; "The Trip to Bountiful" with Lillian Gish; "Butterflies Are Free" with Keir Dullea and Blythe Danner; "Absurd Person Singular" with Sandy Dennis, Geraldine Page and Tony Roberts; and "Our Town" with Paul Newman. The list of actors, directors, and other theatre artists who have worked and continue to perform on the Playhouse's legendary stage reads like a "Who's Who" of the American theatre. Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2005, the Playhouse now produces year-round, welcoming 85,000 audience members annually. In addition to a full season of theatrical productions, the Playhouse presents educational programming and workshops; a children's theatre series; symposiums; music; films; and readings of short fiction, classical works and new plays. Westport Country Playhouse serves as a treasured home for the theatrical arts, its audiences and its artists. For the State of Connecticut, it is a true cultural landmark. Your experience begins at www.westportplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

Subscriptions range from $160 to $360, depending on subscription package (6-play, 5-play or 4-play), performance and seating location. Students and educators are eligible for 50% discounts. Groups of 10 or more save up to 30%. For group sales information call (203) 227-5137, x120.

For subscriptions or more information, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Information about the Playhouse is also available at www.westportplayhouse.org.

 

 

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