Along with April showers, Westchester Broadway Theatre (WBT) is making a giant, indoor splash with its spectacular musical, “Singin’ In The Rain.” 

Folks will likely recall that this stage musical began with the 1952 film featuring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor.  Others may be familiar with replayed segments of Kelly’s famous rain scene and O’Connor’s startling tap-tumble while running straight up a wall.  It’s hard to beat film technology but with an exciting cast and brilliant choreography by Richard Stafford, this live production comes pretty close.

The story is about a silent film company trying to convert to talkies.  The problem is that its leading lady, “Lina Lamont” (wonderfully played by Allie Schauer) has a high-pitched voice similar to “Betty-Boop’s.”  Song and dance men “Don” (Jeremy Benton) and “Cosmo” (Cody Williams) recruit newcomer “Kathy” (Shannon O’Brian) to dub in her voice for Lena’s in the film -- without informing the star.  This triggers amusing tensions on the set and between the two women.  Meanwhile, an on and off romance develops between Don and Kathy and naturally, everything works out in the end.  

Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote the screenplay with songs by Nacio Brown and Arthur Freed.  It’s hard to list the most popular ones as each song is gem: “Fit As A Fiddle,” “All I Do Is Dream of you,” “You Are My Lucky Star,” etc. etc.  

At WBT the main characters are highly polished professionals supported by a large, chorus of singing/dancers.  Benton and Williams are outstanding tap dancers and O’Bryan is a beautiful songbird.  Yes, there is real rain, a lighted lamppost, and with some slight changes in staging, Benton performs splashingly.

Astonishing are the expensive, fur and chiffon costumes provided by Costume World Theatrical and designer Gail Baldoni.  This dazzling production, accompanied by a live orchestra under John Daniels and Von Ann Stutler, is truly Broadway quality entertainment.  Adding to this luxury experience are the dinner theatre’s numerous meal and drink selections, courteous staff, and free parking.

Plays through June 12

"A Steady Rain," is about two cops, in a big city, who are consistently passed over for promotion because of character flaws.  “Joey” (Kyle Fabel) has a drinking problem and “Denny” (Aaron Weiner) a bigot with a runaway mouth, behaves on impulse and has a tendency to get the two of them into trouble. The men know each other since high school, are partners on patrol, and closely associate both on and off duty.

The story deals with an inner city, multi-ethnic society -- where people live on the edge of life, and the cops who try to control them.The irony is that the cops also live in the fast lane and cannot control themselves.   The consequences of fate and inept behavior lead to the self-destruction of one partner and the redemption of the other.

Writer Keith Huff craftily moves the suspenseful story forward by having the two cops take turns transitioning from narrator to actor.  Under the direction of Tazewell Thompson, Fabel and Weiner accomplish this technique quite smoothly.  While the pace is a little too fast, making the main point of the play difficult to digest and the impact less meaningful, the contrasting characters, one a blustering bum the other more sensitive and laid back are very believable.  If you like police action stories on the style of “Starsky and Hutch,” this one is for you.

 Plays until May 8, 2011. Box Office: 860-527-7838

http://www.theaterworkshartford.org/

On Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Darien Health Department in conjunction with the Darien Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 

Bring your medications for disposal to the Darien Transfer Station & Town Garage at Ledge Rd. 

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

For all the details, click on the attachment below.

Acting Auditions: Catherine Lindsey Memorial Actors/Playwrights Workshop Series at Darien Library             

The Catherine Lindsey Actors/Playwrights Workshop, now in its 19^th year, will be holding acting auditions for roles in their public performances. The playwriting workshops began in February and will conclude with a public performance at the Library on Sunday, June 12.

Acting auditions will take place in the Library’s Conference Room at the following sessions:

Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m.

Rehearsals will then take place on the following dates:

Sunday, June 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. (In the Conference Room and the Community Room)

Monday, June 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. (In the Conference Room)

Tuesday, June 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. (In the Conference Room and the Community Room)

Wednesday, June 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. (In the Conference Room and the Community Room)

Thursday, June 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. (In the Conference Room and the Community Room)

Friday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (In the Conference Room and the Community Room)

On Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m., the Actors/Playwrights Workshop will present the public-staged reading of selections from the plays in the Library’s Community Room.

The plays selected for performance by the Darien Library Committee are:

Dream Catcher  by Marlene Gaylinn

The Trouble with Rhonda by Bob Liftig

The Family Room by Bob Lindsey

E.R. by Jill Sapenoff

The Vatican by Joe Starzyk

An Untitled Me by June Whittaker

The Actors/Playwrights Workshop welcomes Actors’ Equity actors and non-Equity actors to participate, brings together local and regional playwrights and actors, and encourages a collaborative effort to create new plays and present a public-staged reading. Co-founded by the late Catherine Lindsey and her husband Robert, the workshop introduces original plays in progress to be developed in a workshop environment with the goal of the public-staged readings. Catherine Lindsey was a beloved friend of the Library and director of Darien Library Theater for over 25 years. The memorial workshops offer actors and playwrights the opportunity to work together to create original theatrical works in a supportive and creative environment culminating in the staged readings of short scenes from full-length plays, one-act plays, musicals, and monologues.

The Actors/Playwrights Workshop welcomes all interested playwrights and actors (Equity and Non-Equity), with or without experience, to join. For more information, contact Robert Cusack at (203) 655-7699 or at robert.cusack1@att.net.

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, an African-American woman named Rosa Parks refused orders to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. Though not the first, this individual action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a movement in support of civil rights that eventually led to outlawing segregation throughout the state.

It was an incredibly courageous action by an incredibly inspiring person, who went on to symbolize the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. When Rosa Parks made it clear that enough was enough, she could not have forseen how much change her momentary, individual decision was to bring, and how much better the world is that we live in now - because she wasn't afraid to take a stand.

See how each of us can make a difference?

On Friday, April 29th, please join Darien Library as we take a Stand Against Racism. The Stand Against Racism is a movement of the YWCA, with the goal of bringing people together from all walks of life - across the country - to help eliminate racism.The YWCA Darien/Norwalk, along with 60 YWCA's and approximately 1,500 organizations, will celebrate diversity and raise awareness that racism still exists and should not be tolerated.

Click here for more information on the events we have planned throughout the week. And stop by to visit the various displays of books, audiobooks, and DVDs that will encourage you to join the movement.

'Stand Against Racism Day' is Friday, April 29th. Events are happening throughout the month!

Each of us can make a difference.

The Stand Against Racism is a movement of the YWCA, with the goal of bringing people together from all walks of life - across the country - to help eliminate racism. Friday, April 29th is "Stand Against Racism Day," and the YWCA Darien/Norwalk, along with 60 YWCA's and approximately 1,500 organizations, will celebrate diversity and raise awareness that racism still exists and should not be tolerated. Click the attachment at the end of this post to read about 10 simple ways each of us can make a difference.

Please visit Darien Library this month as we host programs and activities throughout the day in support of the Stand Against Racism:

One Page Poetry Circle – Poetry & Change
Wednesday, April 20 at 7 PM in the Conference Room
Civil rights. Ideas. Rebellion. Beliefs. Bring a single page of poetry by an established poet that is inspired by the evening’s theme, plus your enthusiasm, thoughts, questions, and curiosity about the poems that others bring. The discussions will be led by Madge McKeithen, faculty member of The Writing Program at The New School.

Color Me Beautiful!
Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29 in the Children's Library
Like the many colors of crayons in a box, children come in all colors, too! Children of all ages are invited to color and design their own die cut people of all colors, shades, and hues to be displayed throughout the Children's Library.

Preschool Storytime
Monday, April 25 at 1:30 PM in the Children’s Library
For ages 3 to 5. The stories we read today will feature a "Celebrate Diversity" theme!

Toddler Tales
Tuesday, April 26 at 10:30 AM in the Children’s Library
For walkers up to 36 months and a caregiver. The stories we read today will feature a "Celebrate Diversity" theme!

Film Screening - Hairspray
Friday, April 29 at 2 PM in the Community Room
In this screen version of the Broadway play Tracy Turnblad is a heavy weight teenager with huge hair who is obsessed with Link Larken on the Corny Collins Show. She sings and dances her way into his heart and onto the show. However, she decides that the segregation of the show is not fair so she and her friends fight to integrate the show. (2007) Starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Allison Janney, Nikki Blonsky, Christopher Walken, and Michelle Pfeiffer; Rated PG; 117 minutes.

Racism - No Way!
Friday, April 29 from 3 PM to 4 PM in the Teen Lounge
Teens, we'll have a variety of puzzles and group activities that explore issues relating to racism and cultural diversity. Bring a friend and join the discussion on what racism means to you.

Film Screening – A Class Divided
Wednesday, May 11 at 7 PM in the Community Room
In 1970, an innovative teacher attempted a daring experiment in her elementary school classroom. To evaluate how racial stereotypes affect young children, Jane Elliott divided her class between those with blue eyes and those with brown and gave blue-eyed children preferential treatment. This classic program presents the long-term effects of racial stereotyping in schools and suggest how new approaches can make a positive difference with students and teachers. Discussion to follow film screening. Co-sponsored by the YWCA Darien/Norwalk.

GET RID OF UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS!

On April 30, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Darien Health Department in conjunction with the Darien Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the Darien Transfer Station & Town Garage at Ledge Rd. 

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

For more information, click here to read today's press release from the David Knauff, Health Director, Darien.

David Knauff, Darien's Director of Health, has forwarded the following information from CT - Depeartment of Public Health.

The attached is a message from the CDC HAN* info service regarding Radioactive Material in the US as a Result of the Incident with the Fukushima Nuclear Incident in Japan.

(*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Health Alert Network (HAN))
 

The documentary, Darien Library: The Great Good Place, was recently awarded Best in Show in the 2010 Connecticut Library Association (CLA) Publicity Awards Contest! Click below for a preview. Click here to learn more and to view the full-length feature.

The annual All-Schools Student Art Exhibition is now on display!

Featuring the artwork by grades K-12, the exhibition will be presented at two different sites – here, at Darien Library, and also, at Town Hall. 

Each site will have a sampling of art made by all grades in a variety of media from some very talented students. 

On display at the Library will be the work of students from Holmes School and Ox Ridge School, and some from Middlesex Middle School and Darien High School. Visitors to the Library can view the exhibit in the Art Gallery, which is located on the Lower Level.
(Students from Hindley School, Tokeneke School, and Royle School and some from Middlesex Middle School and Darien High School will exhibit their art projects on the first and second floors of Darien Town Hall.)

The exhibition will run through April 25, 2011.