Mark Shanahan, Artistic Director of the Westport Country Playhouse, shared the history, status, and plans for the historic playhouse in Westport, Connecticut, at the Kiwanis Club of Weston’s breakfast meeting on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Norfield Congregational Church’s parish hall.

As a playwright, he is the adapter of Agatha Christie’s THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD, in partnership with Agatha Christie Ltd., which premiered at the Tony Award-winning Alley Theatre and has played throughout the United States and abroad. His play, A SHERLOCK CAROL, was a New York Times Critic’s Pick during its two seasons Off-Broadway and earned an Off-Broadway Alliance nomination for Best New Play in 2021 and has been produced at numerous theatres across the United States and internationally, including three sold-out seasons in London at The Marylebone Theatre. He is also the author of A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL, SEE MONSTERS OF THE DEEP, the Off-Broadway and regional hit comedy THE DINGDONG, and numerous radio plays as creator of the WHITE HERON GHOST LIGHT series, featuring Christopher Plummer, Judith Ivey, Rhonda Ross, and other notables.

Mark’s directing work has been seen extensively at The Alley Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Irish Rep of New York City, White Heron, Florida Rep, George Street Playhouse, Virginia Stage, Penguin Rep, The Fulton Opera House, Arkansas Rep, Theatre Squared, Hudson Stage, and many more. As an actor, he has appeared on and off-Broadway in THE 39 STEPS, TRYST, AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN, THE SHAUGRAUN, and others, and at many celebrated stages throughout the United States. On television and film, he’s appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Safe Men, Bug, Kill Me, and others.

Mark lives with his family in New York City, New York.

Our Program Committee, Lisa Wexler and Karen Chrisley, arranged this program.