The Westport Country Playhouse’s annual benefit gala is always star-studded.
This year’s event will be studded with 3 Westport and Weston stars.
And all are Tony Award winners.
Staples High School Class of 2003 graduate Justin Paul — creator of “Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman” (and also an Oscar, Grammy and Oliver Award honoree) headlines the exciting evening of music,
He’ll be joined by Kelli O’Hara (“The Light in the Piazza,” “The King and I,” “South Pacific,” “Days of Wine and Roses”) and James Naughton (“City of Angels,” “Chicago,” director of the Playhouse’s “Our Town”).
The show includes talented Broadway performers, from Paul’s past projects and other award-winning Broadway musicals. The full list of special guests will be announced soon.
In keeping with the local-but-internationally-talented angle, the gala is directed by Staples High School Class of 2012 Caley Beretta (Disney Theatrical Productions).
“An Evening with Justin Paul and Friends, with Kelli O’Hara and James Naughton” is set for Saturday, September 9 (8 p.m.).
A limited number of $1,000 tickets are available; a post-show reception with the stars is included. Call 203-571-1291, or email cmackay@westportplayhouse.org.
For $500 and $300 tickets, click here.
Justin Paul (Photo/Dan Woog)
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The bread was an afterthought at Jersey Mike’s.
Soon, bread (baked daily) — and danishes, cinnamon rolls and the like — will be front and center, at the now-vacant Compo Acres Shopping Center storefront.
Cobs Bread is moving in. A sign announces: ” We’re hiring!”
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
The “artisan bread” chain has over 700 franchises in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with a smaller presence in the US.
Two other Connecticut locations are Stamford and Greenwich. Click here for the company website (and the menu).
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Max Saperstein is a rising junior at Staples High School.
He’s also the youngest person honored as a guest exhibitor at the Westport Book Shop.
Max is showing a variety of photographs, ranger from the Westport Farmers’ Market to Italy, and places in between.
Inspired by nature and architecture, Max seeks to capture beauty wherever he finds it.
He is photography director at Inklings, the school paper, a silver medal winner in the Westport PTA’s 2023 Reflections art contest, and earned special recognition in the Congressional Institute’s Congressional Art Competition.
Max’s photography will be on exhibit at the Book Shop through August 31. All work on display is available for purchase.
He will use the proceeds to support a philanthropic photography project, “Max’s Magic.” He takes portraits of children who face challenging situations, then transforms them into images of superheroes, sports stars or movie characters.
Max Saperstein with his photos, at the Westport Book Shop.
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News of another Max:
Just added to the Levitt Pavilion calendar: “Max Weinberg’s Jukebox.” The ticketed show is set for October 5 (7:30 p.m.).
In the interactive experience, Weinberg invites audience members to create the set list — in real time — for his 4-piece band.
The “menu” of 300 songs includes the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and more.
And speaking of The Boss: Weinberg has been the driving rhythmic force behind the E Street Band for 43 years. In 2014, he and the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
He is well known too for his 17-year gig as the bandleader and comedic foil to Conan O’Brien, leading his namesake band on “NBC’s Late Night” and “The Tonight Show.”
Weinberg has played with James Brown, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, BB King, Tony Bennett, Ringo Starr, John Fogerty, Stevie Winwood, Isaac Hayes and Sheryl Crow.
For tickets and more information, click here.
Max Weinberg
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The Westport Community Gardens near Long Lots Elementary School is 20 years old.
The town’s arts heritage stretches back 100 years.
Tomorrow (Saturday, August 5, all day: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), the Gardens celebrate that arts legacy.
“Art in the Garden” is a day of enjoying the natural beauty of the Gardens — and a chance for everyone to make art, or take photos, there.
The event is a collaboration with the Artists Collective of Westport.
Children are welcome. For more information on the Westport Community Gardens, click here.
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How has Bridgeport’s Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater become one of the most popular music venues in the state?
Last night, Howard Saffan — the owner, developer and president — told a large Westport Library crowd how he’s attracted large crowds, with headliners like the Beach Boys, Temptations, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, the Four Tops, Rod Stewart, Jackson Browne, Santana and more.
The event was sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
Howard Saffan at the Westport Library. (Photo/Tom Lowrie)
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It’s been a while since we’ve run a deer photo.
This one — taken on Bedford Drive — clears the very high bar for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Patricia Auber)
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And finally … in honor of Justin Paul’s upcoming appearance at the Westport Country Playhouse annual benefit gala, here are 3 of his “greatest hits”:
(“06880” has covered Justin Paul — and the Westport Country Playhouse — since we began, 14 years ago. We’ll keep doing it. But we need your help. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)