We saw the play on June 13, 2015 and this talented cast delivered an excellent performance of playwright C. P. Taylor’s 1977 play, under the skillful direction of Westport Country Playhouse’s Associate Artistic Director David Kennedy.
Richard Kline (Andie), Scott Cullen (George Stott),
Deidre Madigan (Peggy Stott), Brenda Meaney (Helen Stott),
Jenny Leona (Joyce Stott), John Skelley (Eric)
Brenda Meaney is magical as the daughter, Helen Stott, nicknamed "The Cripple" by the family, a plain, getting-on-in-years at the unmarried age of 31 without a romantic prospect in sight, the glue that keeps the family together, the one that everyone depends upon to make decisions to solve their problems, and the narrator of the quickly moving, dialogue-pleasing play.
Brenda Meaney (Helen Stott), Matthew Greer (Norman)
Scott Cullen plays her father, George Stott, nicknamed the "Coal Man" who turns to his piano and singing popular songs as comfort and as a way to shut out the world, and the music not only creates atmosphere it also acts as yet another character in this war-time drama that takes place between 1939 and 1945.
Deidre Madigan is delightful as Helen’s mother, Peggy Stott, "Mam," Jenny Leona is perfect as Helen’s pretty, younger, and somewhat flighty sister, Joyce Stott whose quick proposal from Eric played by John Skelley, has the household flummoxed deciding whether she should say "yes" or should she say "no"?
Jenny Leona (Joyce Stott), John Skelley (Eric)
Matthew Greer plays Norman, a handsome soldier, who becomes enamored with Helen and shakes up her life, and her perception of herself as plain and dowdy, as a romance unexpectedly blossoms amidst the uncertainty of war.
Richard Kline‘s portrayal of Andie, Helen and Joyce’s grandfather, whom the family calls the Old Soldier, is brilliant and he makes the most of the witty and humorous dialogue with his perfect timing and delivery.
Deidre Madigan (Peggy Stott), Scott Cullen (George Stott),
John Skelley (Eric), Brenda Meaney (Helen Stott),
Matthew Greer (Norman), Richard Kline (Andie)
From start to finish, And a Nightingale Sang is a winner, one that is sure to please. The play runs until June 27, 2015.
And a Nightingale Sang Cast
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Scott Cullen
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George Stott
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Matthew Greer
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Norman
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Richard Kline
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Andie
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Jenny Leona
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Joyce Stott
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Deidre Madigan
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Peggy Stott (Mam)
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Brenda Meaney
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Helen Stott
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John Skelley
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Eric
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The Creative Team
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C. P. Taylor
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Playwright
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David Kennedy
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Director/Associate Artistic Director
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Lisa Gajda
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Choreographer
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Mary Ann Lamb
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Choreographer
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Kristen Robinson
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Scenic Design
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Michael Krass
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Costume Design
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Matthew Richards
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Lighting Design
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Fitz Patton
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Sound Design
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And a Nightingale Sang performance schedule is Tuesday at 7:00 pm, Wednesday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Thursday and Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 3:00 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
Deidre Madigan (Peggy Stott), Richard Kline (Andie)
Scott Cullen (George Stott)
Special series feature Taste of Tuesday, Previews, LGBT Night OUT, Opening Night, Sunday Symposium, Open Captions, Thursday TalkBack, Together at the Table Family Dinner, Playhouse Young Professionals, and Backstage Pass.
For information on the play or to purchase tickets, please call the box office at 203-227-4177 or call the toll-free number at 888-927-7529, or visit them on the website at www.WestportPlayhouse.org.
Brenda Meaney (Helen Stott), Matthew Greer (Norman)
The Westport Country Playhouse Box Office is open during Performance Days Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 8:30 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am until 8:30 pm, Sunday from 11:00 am until 3:30 pm, and is closed on Monday. Non-Performance Days, the Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm, and is closed on Monday.
The Westport Country Playhouse named as "Theatre Company of the Year" in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened in the 1930s in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a "who’s who" of prominent actors. Looking at the framed posters of past shows that line the lobby walls was like entering an encyclopedia of the arts. A few of the many renowned actors who have appeared on the stage there include Ethyl Barrymore, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Don Ameche, Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy, Jane Fonda, Danny Aiello, Blythe Danner, Jill Clayburgh, Richard Dreyfus, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Lynn Redgrave, Gene Wilder, and Westport residents Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman.
"Westport Country Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater, serves as a cultural nexus for patrons, artists and students and is a treasured resource for the State of Connecticut. There are no boundaries to the creative thinking for future seasons or the kinds of audiences and excitement for theater that Westport Country Playhouse can build."
For information on upcoming events and other performances, please visit the website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org.
Upcoming Performances
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Play
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Dates Running
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And a Nightingale Sang
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June 9 – 27, 2015
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Love And Money
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July 21 – August 8, 2015
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Bedroom Farce
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August 25 – Sept. 13, 2015
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Broken Glass
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October 6 – 24, 2015
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Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court
Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States
Box Office: +1-203-227-4177
Toll-Free: +1-888-927-7529
Fax: +1-203-454-3239
Box Office: +1-203-227-4177
Website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org
Facebook: www.Facebook/WestportCountryPlayhouse
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© June 2015. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.
