O'Neill Center holds 7th Annual O'Neill Celebration honoring 25 of Connecticut's most Uncommon Women in Salute to Wendy Wasserstein

Waterford, CT ~ In a special salute to the late Wendy Wasserstein, the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will host a special tribute to 25 of Connecticut's most Uncommon Women on Saturday, October 14th.

The honorees represent a diverse group of Connecticut's brightest and best women who through their dedicated efforts have accomplished great things for the quality of life we enjoy in the Nutmeg State. Enola Aird, of the Children's Defense Fund and the Connecticut Commission on Children, and Roxanne Coady, founder of R.J. Julia Booksellers and "Read to Grow," will be among those recognized; along with Mary Fetchet, founder of "Voices for September 11th," and Lynn Fusco, President/CEO of Fusco Corporation. Barbara de Baptiste, President of the National Women's Hall of Fame and founder of HeadStart; Claire Gaudiani, past President of Connecticut College; Barbara Kennelly, Congresswoman Rosa de Lauro and State Senator Andrea Stillman will also be honored with Roz Milstein Meyer

The day begins with registration at 10:30 a.m., followed by a panel discussion on "O'Neill and His Women" which will begin at 11:00 a.m. Moderated by Zander Brietzke, the panel will include Sheila Garvey, O'Neill scholar and educator; Stephen Bloom, President of the O'Neill Society; David King, scholar and author of soon-to-be-published book on the letters of Eugene O'Neill and his love Agnes Boulton.

The panel discussion will be followed by songs from musical adaptations of O'Neill's work, including Anna Christie and New Girl in Town (based on Ah, Wilderness! ).

Amy Sullivan, Executive Director of the O'Neill, will launch the afternoon session with scenes from some of Ms. Wasserstein's best known works.

The highlight of the afternoon will be the presentation of awards to the O'Neill's 25 Uncommon Women.

A reception will immediately follow the afternoon presentations.

A one-hour lunch break with opportunity to chat with participating scholars and artists will take place at approximately 12:30 pm.

Lunch can be ordered by calling 860-443-5378. Cost for lunch is $15.00.

The morning and afternoon sessions are provided free for the general public. Reservations are, however, required.