Wilton Playshop Announces Another Schedule Change

WILTON — After one announcement that the opening production of Wilton Playshop’s 69th anniversary season opener would be postponed by one week, the board of the Playshop has announced a second change to the season’s schedule.

Due to the recent departure of a cast member in the season opener, Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together, which initially changed opening night from November 4 to November 11, the cast and crew has decided that any last minute replacement for the departing actor would not be able to step in to the show, which has a very complex musical score, and learn it in time.

“They wanted to put on a great show,” said Playshop President Peg Ploss, “They were not comfortable with the last minute cast change which would have allowed only five days rehearsal with the new cast member before opening.”

The show has now been postponed until June 2005, making it the season finale instead of the opener.

Over The River and Through The Woods, originally scheduled for mid May, will now open in April.

Dinner With Friends, however, will remain at its scheduled opening date of February 10.

“There was never any question of canceling the [Sondheim] show,” said the theater board of directors president, Peg Ploss. “We just wanted to be sure we could deliver quality performances to our subscribers and audience.”

The Playshop has also announced the revival of its staged play readings. “Play Readings @ Wilton Playshop” will return on Sunday, November 20, at 2 pm, with a reading of Mark St Germain’s Camping with Henry and Tom. The comedy/drama chronicles a 1921 camping trip taken by Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and President Warren G. Harding in the Maryland woods.

The reading will be directed by Skip Ploss.

Reservations are not required but are recommended. Admission is $5 (free to season subscribers).  Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 203-762-7629.

Other scheduled readings in the series are Mastergate by M.A.S.H writer Larry Gelbart in January, Funny Valentines by Dennis R. Anderson in February, and Crossing Delancy by Susan Sandler in March, with more to be added later.

People who are interested in either playing in or directing in the series should send an email to PlayReadings@wiltonplayshop.org.