westfaironline.com May 29, 2023
Standard Standard Amusements begins begins Amusements second season season second as Playland Playland manager manager as BY PETER KATZ Pkatz@westfairinc.com
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lthough there was a contentious period during which Westchester County and Standard Amusements engaged in a legal battle over whether Standard would manage the county’s Playland Amusement Park, there were no signs of animosity May 20 when a ribbon cutting was held to mark the park’s opening for the 2023 season with Standard set for its second season at the helm. The county maintains ownership of the park. Even the day’s drizzle mixed with heavier rain couldn’t interfere with the happy talk and fun atmosphere that predominated among the guests gathered at the park’s newly paved entrance plaza. The former miniature golf course at the entrance has been removed along with a number of trees and the fountain has been reconstructed to be outfitted for water, music and light shows.
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The Wilton Playshop takes a bow for its 85th consecutive season BY PHIL HALL Phall@westfairinc.com
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n 1937, Connecticut’s theater scene welcomed the arrival of a group in Wilton that staged a production of George M. Cohan’s comic mystery “The Tavern” as a fundraiser for the American Red Cross. Using the Wilton Town Hall as its audito-
rium, the production ran two nights and raised more than $600 – which was no mean feat considering tickets were only 50 cents. “The Tavern” was presented under the banner of “The Wilton Play Shop” and its successful reception inspired the production’s talent to go further into a full theatrical season. The 1937/38 season for the company – now called The Wilton Playshop – was an
ambitious mix of comedy, drama, romance and family-friendly fun. Fast-forward to today and The Wilton Playshop is still an energetic force within the Fairfield County arts environment. The company is at the tail end of its 85th season, having completed a retelling of the invig-
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The Wilton Playshop production of “Godspell,” which recently completed its run during the theater’s 85th season; contributed photo.