Scarpa to sign memoir, "Lessons from the Stage," at Shelton High School event

Gary and Francesca Scarpa

SHELTON - Author, director, and educator Gary Scarpa has released his newest book, Lessons from the Stage, a memoir celebrating 50 years of theater, marriage, and community alongside his wife Francesca and their daughters.

Scarpa’s fourth published work — and his first non-fiction title — looks back on more than four decades of creating theater in Shelton and beyond through school productions, summer theater, and professional stage work.

“Back in 1973, I fell in love with an art form and a girl, all in one fell swoop,” Scarpa said. “The rest is history.”

That journey began with a college audition and continued in 1976 when Scarpa, then a young teacher at Shelton High School, directed his first production, The Music Man. One month later, Gary and Francesca were married at Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven with the entire cast in attendance.

Over the decades, the Scarpas founded the Youth CONNection summer theater troupe in 1983 and later established Center Stage in 2005, inspiring generations of performers, students, and audiences along the way.

In Lessons from the Stage, Scarpa reflects on both the triumphs and challenges of a life devoted to live theater.

“It’s a look back at our entire life in the theater,” Scarpa said, “with all the moments that stay with you long after the curtain comes down — not only the highlights, but the difficult moments as well. Theater teaches lessons that last a lifetime.”

To celebrate the book’s release and the couple’s golden anniversary in theater and marriage, the Scarpas will host a free public book discussion and signing on June 6 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Shelton High School.

The event is open to anyone who performed under their direction, worked backstage, attended productions, or followed Scarpa’s writing career through the years.

Lessons from the Stage is available in paperback and hardcover through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and in digital format wherever e-books are sold.

For more information about the book, the June 6 event, or Gary Scarpa’s work, visit garyscarpa.com.