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Next Generation Steps Up: Will Haskell Throws Hat In State Senate Ring
In the summer of 2016, Will Haskell worked for the Democratic National Committee. Assigned to the “voter protection team,” he researched states that were making it harder for certain citizens — like...
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Justin Paul Returns To His Roots
One of the pivotal moments in Justin Paul’s life came when he played Frank, the lead role in “Merrily We Roll Along.” Stephen Sondheim’s complex, intriguing play helped Justin — a Staples High School...
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Merrily, Staples Players Roll Along
Justin Paul was a Broadway composer. Collaborating with his best friend, he was hailed for his talent and creativity. Over the years though, Justin made choices that took him away from his dream of...
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“Merrily” Broadway Star Boosts Staples Players’ Show
It wasn’t easy. Serial snowstorms knocked out crucial rehearsals. Plus there were the normal teenage challenges of putting on a complex show, alongside the usual demands of school, family and social...
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Staples’ 12 Angry Men (And Women)
Nine years ago, Staples Players produced “Twelve Angry Men.” The classic courtroom drama was staged in the Black Box Theater — in the round. The audience surrounded the set, on all 4 sides. I saw it 3...
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Remembering Rachel Doran
Two weeks ago, “06880” reported on Rachel Doran’s battle. The rising senior at Cornell University — a National Merit Commended Scholar, talented Players costume designer, and founder of “Rachel’s...
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Staples Players’“Legally Blonde” Goes To The Dogs
In the mid-1970s, Bill Berloni was an acting intern at Goodspeed Opera House. The director offered him an Equity card — if Berloni could find and train a rescue dog for the upcoming show. Berloni came...
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Unsung Heroes #73
It’s a stretch to call the cast of Staples Players “unsung.” They’ve won tons of awards, and the hearts of every audience that’s seen any show. Besides, you can’t call a troupe that puts on musicals...
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Staples Players’ Marvel-ous Pilot
In 2017, Staples Players produced “Newsies.” It was a pilot for Disney. The mammoth entertainment company wanted to see what a high school production of that long-running Broadway show would look like....
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Tyler Jent Helps “Lion King” Roar
Everyone knows “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” But the song took on new meaning recently. As Greens Farms Elementary School prepared for its first-ever musical production — of, yes, “The...
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Emma’s Opening Act
Westporters know her as Emma Ruchefsky. The world may soon know her as Emma Charles. The daughter of Steve Ruchefsky and Rondi Charleston — hence the stage name — thrilled audiences at Staples High...
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It’s “Curtains” For Staples Players
When the curtain rises on “Curtains” this Friday, audiences will enjoy another superb Staples Players production. The show — a musical mystery comedy by Rupert Holmes, with music by Kander and Ebb...
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Pics Of The Day #698
“Curtains” — Staples Players’ murder mystery musical — wowed audiences this weekend. The choreography, sets, pit orchestra — all were (as usual) astonishingly professional, entertaining and fun. The...
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“Music Man” Tootles Into Town
Some people want Hillary. Others want Trump. Everyone wants “The Music Man.” This fall — with our nation so divided — Staples Players co-directors David Roth and Kerry Long are staging what Roth calls...
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Mark Groth’s Amazing “Budy” Story
If you saw “Curtains” last month — or any other Staples Players production over the past 6 decades — you were awed by the acting, dancing, sets and lighting. But back in the day, Staples Stage and...
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August Laska: A True “Broadway Bounty Hunter”
When he was in Staples Players, audiences knew August Laska as an actor. His roles included “Guys and Dolls,” “Little. Shop of Horrors,” “West Side Story” and “A Chorus Line.” But — like many members...
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Our Town’s Players
David Roth has acted in 3 productions of “Our Town.” In 1980 — the summer he moved to Westport, as a rising Staples High School freshman — his introduction to his new town’s drama community came via...
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Staples Players Head Back To The ’80s
Staples Players’ summer show is “Back to the ’80s.” The jukebox musical — a mashup of plots like “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Revenge of the Nerds” and “The Breakfast Club,” with songs like “Love...
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Get Back To The ’80s, Today And Tomorrow!
I had modest expectations for “Back to the ’80s.” I knew Staples Players’ summer show would be fun. I figured I’d spend last night entertained and amused, by a typically high-quality Players...
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[OPINION] A Players’ Parent Perspective
David and Amy Mandelbaum moved to Westport 14 years ago. This fall their daughter Julia enters her senior year at The Westminster School of the Arts at Rider University, earning a BFA in musical...
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