Henry Fonda Theatre

Westport Country Playhouse marks 80th birthday

"We've been celebrating since last year when we marked our 80th season. One of the many events in 2010 was a Script in Hand play reading of 'Butterflies Are Free,' a play that had its start at Westport Country Playhouse in 1969 and transferred to Broadway," says Patricia Blaufuss, WCP's Public Relations Manager. "Its original stars returned to our stage--Blythe Danner as the overprotective mother (she was the ingenious young girl in 1969), and Keir Dullea as the evening's host (he was the young blind man in the original)." Over the years, numerous legends in the acting world have appeared on the Westport stage. Some of the more famous include Henry Fonda in "The Virginian" in 1937, Gene Kelly in "Magazine Page" in 1939, Tallulah Bankhead took on Noel Coward's "Private Lives" in 1947 and Groucho Marx started in "A Time for Elizabeth" in 1958. Others to have graced the stage include John Forsythe, Imogene Coca, Maureen Stapleton, Sammy Davis Jr. and Alan Alda. COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in The Stamford Times community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines. Basically, be civil, smart, on-topic and free from profanity. Don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read! And remember: We may miss some, so we need your help to police these comments. Please identify the comment, the story and why you think it's objectionable.

Friendly Fires at the Henry Fonda Theater, Hollywood, CA | Under ...

Performance polished to a sheen, the British trio put on an exuberant performance—vocalist Ed Macfarlane dancing as though attempting to secure his slot in the world’s coolest salsa competition. Drummer Jack Savidge and guitarist Edd Gibson seemed to be content to let Macfarlane’s swagger take center stage, however, both emerged from their choice instruments for a turn at the mike (and cowbell) during “On Board.”

The set list wisely interspersed upbeat cuts off new album Pala with (seemingly now classic) cuts from their 2008 self-titled debut—giving the audience a chance to ease into the newer material while still getting to dream about that one day…when we’re gonna live in Paris. Strictly danceable numbers, the audience did just that, turning the floor into a sea of gyrating bodies. To Friendly Fires: a heartfelt thank you for getting notoriously aloof Los Angeles hipsters to dance. (To the girl in front of me who jammed her spiked heel into my foot: I accept this was no more the highlight of your evening than mine, but…oww!) Keep grooving Friendly Fires, even when your energy far outstrips ours we’ll still be limping along side you.