[Editor's Note: This announcement was originally published on Nov. 6.]
On July 25th the Summer Theatre of New Canaan, as part of its Summer Theatre Festival at Waveny Park, presented a one night only event featuring 20 past and current star performers of the Summer Season and Broadway. Reprising their marquee songs from Summer Theatre past seasons and their Broadway shows, this remarkable evening was recorded and is to be presented on Channel 79 this fall onFriday, November 18 and Thursday, November 24 at 12:00pm and 8:00pm.
“Magic happened at Waveny Park that evening as hit song after hit song was performed to a wildly receptive full house audience”, explained Melody Libonati, Artistic Director of the Summer Theatre of New Canaan and director of the evening. “Rarely will you see this much talent and fun on one stage in a summer evening.”
The music direction and accompanist was by Broadway performer Dan Micciche from the Broadway musical, Chicago, with lighting design by Devon Allen of New Canaan.
The “Stars of Summer Theatre and Broadway in Concert” evening features both adult and child performers from Connecticut and New York City. Locals pros from New Canaan include: Allison Gray performed songs from Camelot and The Sound of Music, Christian Libonati performed songs from Big River and Charlie Brown and Sadie Seelert, who was recently in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins, performed songs from Seussical, the Musical and Mary Poppins. Also from New Canaan performing were Melody Meitrott Libonati, Delaney and Mallory Bennhoff, Abby Graham, Rachel Guth and Whitney Woerz. Professionals from area towns include: from Darien, Joan Mitchell Carlo performing from The Sound of Music and The Music Man, from Norwalk, Kyle & Nathan Brenn who were in the Broadway production of West Side Story, from Greenwich Richard Hartley performing from The Music Man and Camelot, from Weston, Sean Hannon performed from the musical, Peter Pan, from Hartford, Joshua Heggie performed songs from Big River. Returning stars from New York City include Marissa Perry (Hairspray), Edmund Bagnell (Sweeny Todd), Malika Petty (Big River) and Brian Silliman (Midsummer Night’s Dream).
This “Stars of Summer Theatre and Broadway” concert on Channel 79 will be kicking off the Summer Theatre fundraising drive. As part of this fundraising drive, the Summer Theatre of New Canaan is offering a limited number of special benefit tickets to two great Broadway Shows. Each show will feature a special meet and greet following the performance with the casts. In December see Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan on Sunday, December 18 6PM and in January see Harry Connick, Jr. in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever at the Sunday matinee, January 22, 2PM. These special benefit tickets can be purchased online at www.stonc.org or at the Summer Theater box office calling 203-966-4634.
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan is a 501 c3 non-profit organization based in New Canaan and is now in its ninth season of providing unique summer theatre experiences for the entire family. Programs in Theatre for Young Audiences, Middle School Junior Company, High School Apprenticeships, Professional College Internships, Special Needs youth theatre program, community outreach and professional family theater.
