Smith's comedy "Theatre People" opens in Westport

Paul Slade Smith's romantic comedy "Theatre People" will be performed at Westport Country Playhouse from March 25 to April 12. Directed by Mark Shanahan, the play is known for its humor and charm. The full title of the play is "Theatre People, or the Angel Next Door." While many productions are using the shorter title, Westport Playhouse has decided to stick with the original name, which was used during a reading of the play last year. The reading was very well-received, leading to this full production. Smith's play is based on a 1928 comedy by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar. The original work has seen various adaptations, including P.G. Wodehouse's "The Play’s the Thing" and Tom Stoppard's "Rough Crossing." Smith translated the Hungarian text himself, making sure to adapt the humor for modern audiences. The story follows a man who discovers that his fiancé may be unfaithful, but Smith adds his own twist to the plot. The humor aims to be light and fun, as the man’s friends try to handle the situation in a comical way. Paul Slade Smith grew up in West Hartford and began his career as an actor. He started writing plays to create roles for himself. His previous works have been popular in various theaters, and "Theatre People" has already seen multiple productions scheduled for this year. Smith’s new play emphasizes themes of love and the challenges of getting a play produced. He aims to blend humor with deeper messages about the impact of theater.