[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10127]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    WESTON PLAYHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, it is a delight to call the Senate's 
attention to the record of 75 years of quality productions achieved by 
the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company as they celebrate this major 
milestone with their community and friends. Among its many accolades--
including the Moss Hart Award for Best Production in New England for 
``Floyd Collins''--Weston's Playhouse has earned a national reputation 
as a professional theatre. As Vermont's oldest theater, and one of the 
15 oldest theatre companies across the United States, the Weston 
Playhouse has entertained families and visitors from New England and 
beyond since its founding in 1935. Its first professional season in 
1937 included the opening of Noel Coward's ``Hay Fever,'' featuring 
young actor Lloyd Bridges. Since then the Weston Playhouse has grown to 
include musicals and late-night entertainment, cradled in Weston's 
small village of 640 people.
  Consistent with Vermonters' willful determination and hard work, 
Weston's Playhouse Theatre Company endured a 1962 fire that destroyed 
the original playhouse building. Despite this hardship, the community 
pulled their resources together and continued to provide Vermonters and 
New England with quality theatre and musical experiences. Today the 
company serves 25,000 Vermonters and Vermont visitors each year with 
its devoted staff, talented artists, and dedicated board. The Weston 
Playhouse Theatre Company has routinely met their goals of making live 
theatre accessible and meaningful to a broad population of Vermonters. 
Resource support through the National Endowment for the Arts has 
allowed the playhouse to expand its offerings of cultural experiences 
to thousands of elementary, middle and high school aged children every 
year. Their outreach programs have promoted educational productions and 
have toured often throughout Vermont and New England while continuing 
to produce prestigious regional and world premieres.
  Marcelle and I have always enjoyed attending theatre productions in 
Vermont, and we have wonderful memories of the time we have spent with 
the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, as well as of the wonderful 
people we have met at the theatre. It is important to our State that we 
continue to host diverse actors and actresses on Vermont's stages, 
enriching the lives of Vermonters across the State. Anyone who has 
contemplated a painting in a museum, examined an original manuscript or 
composition, or disappeared into a performance as the lights dimmed--
and has gained a greater understanding of both the artist and the 
subject as a result--knows the power and importance of these works in 
our lives. I am proud to join in honoring the Weston Playhouse Theatre 
Company for 75 wonderful years of achievements that have enriched our 
heritage and the quality of life in the marvelous Green Mountain State.

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