A Barn Full of Ghosts (and Great Stories): The Interview

A Barn Full of Ghosts (and Great Stories): The Interview

A Front Mezz Interview: Mark Shanahan Discusses the Westport Country Playhouse

Michael Raver and Katy Tang appear in The Importance of Being Earnest. Running a theater is comparable to hosting a long, unpredictable dinner party, and as Artistic Director of the Westport Country Playhouse, Mark Shanahan manages just that experience. The Playhouse, once a summer barn that transformed hay into applause since 1931, has Shanahan taking on multiple roles: maître d’, ringmaster, and air-traffic controller.

Juggling the responsibilities of a century-old institution, writing his own plays, and occasionally directing, Shanahan multitasks constantly—even responding to emails while blocking scenes and remembering everyday details like refilling hand sanitizer in the lobby.

Shanahan’s career in American theater blends ambition and humor, reminiscent of Moss Hart’s craftsmanship or Groucho Marx’s wit. His artistic approach is wry, humane, and subtly subversive, perfectly suiting the character of the Westport Country Playhouse.

"His artistic sensibility fits the Westport Country Playhouse like a well-tailored smoking jacket."

Under his leadership, the theater functions not as a static museum of past achievements but as a bustling salon—a place where tradition and playful mischief coexist and share knowing glances across the footlights.

Author's summary: Mark Shanahan's dynamic leadership transforms the historic Westport Country Playhouse into a vibrant cultural hub, blending legacy with lively artistic innovation.

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front mezz junkies front mezz junkies — 2025-11-03

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