A Barn Full of Ghosts (and Great Stories): The Interview
Mark Shanahan and the Westport Country Playhouse
Running a theater can be like hosting a dinner party that never ends. Mark Shanahan, Artistic Director of the Westport Country Playhouse, manages this ongoing event in Connecticut with the skills of a maître d’, ringmaster, and air-traffic controller all in one. The Playhouse, originally a summer barn since 1931, has transformed haylofts into standing ovations for nearly a century.
A Multifaceted Leader
Shanahan balances overseeing a historic institution, writing his own plays, and sometimes returning to direct. He is known to multitask by replying to emails while directing rehearsals and remembering small but vital details like refilling hand sanitizer in the lobby.
A Unique Artistic Vision
His extensive career in American theater blends influences from legendary figures like Moss Hart and Groucho Marx, merging sharp wit and warmth with a playful yet respectful challenge to convention. His style suits the Playhouse perfectly, making it feel more like an inviting salon than a static museum of past achievements.
“His artistic sensibility (wry, humane, and just subversive enough to make propriety blush) fits the Westport Country Playhouse like a well-tailored smoking jacket.”
Under Shanahan’s guidance, the theater balances tradition with a lively sense of mischief where history and spontaneity meet across the stage.
Author’s summary: Mark Shanahan leads the Westport Country Playhouse with dynamic energy, blending tradition and ingenuity to create a vibrant theatrical experience.