The Summer Theatre of New Canaan, now in its 12th season of professional theatre at Waveny Park in New Canaan, celebrated its fifth season of the DramaRamas theatre program for kids 8-18 with special needs. The theatre company received a special award from the Connecticut Critics Circle, Connecticut’s organization of professional theatre and arts reviewers and press representatives, at their annual awards ceremony held at the Yale Repertory Theatre.
The show performed this for year’s program was Legally Blonde, The Musical. Summer Theatre college interns, professional actors, and staff work one on one as mentors for each child throughout the program. This approach enables all the students to fully participate. This DramaRamas have met since early June, and their performance took place on June 25, 2015 in the modern tent theatre at New Canaan's Waveny Park. Opening the show as they have for the past five years was a performance by ”The Rubber Band” from Star Inc, in Norwalk, Connecticut, who had the audience clapping and cheering with delight. The cast from the professional company attended the performance in support of the young actors to the delight of the DramaRamas cast.
“This program reaches into the soul of our community, creating an inclusive, miraculous experience for our young artists” says Melody Libonati, the Program creator and director and artistic director of the theatre company. "DramaRamas encourages and enables many of the students to more actively participate in arts programs offered in their schools and community" adds Ed Libonati, Executive Director of the theatre company.
The Summer Theatre also runs a Junior Company for middle school age students, a pre-college high school theatre intensive program, and a professional college internship program in addition to its professional theatre season.
This week’s upcoming events with the summer theatre program at Waveny Park:
Cinderella, A Fairy’s Tale, is a new musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella fairy tale told by the Fairy Godmother. “Children are more sophisticated at a younger age and need characters, music and a story line more in tune with today’s culture” explains Melody Meitrott Libonati, who also authored the adaptation and co-wrote the lyrics with David Hancock Turner. Appropriate for all ages, this Cinderella is more confident and feels prepared to help run the kingdom alongside the Prince. Cinderella premieres Friday, July 3 and will run in rotation on weekends with The Wizard of OZ and Charlotte’s Web through August 9th.
Charlotte’s Web based on what may be considered one of the greatest books in children’s literature. Charlotte’s Web features a cast of actors who play multiple roles, includes puppetry, and uses unique masks custom-designed by Jeff Semmerling, one of America’s leading mask makers. Charlotte’s Web opens the TYA series beginning Saturday, June 13th at 10am.
The Summer Theatre is reaching out to all area senior citizens (64+) on a budget by holding Senior Sunday on June 28th, with all tickets to the Legally Blonde matinee available at half price. These events are sponsored by Karl Chevrolet and Walter Stewart’s Market of New Canaan. The Summer Theatre is also partnering with several of New Canaan’s finest restaurants to offer pre-theatre dining specials. Thursday nights will be Girls Night Out (GNO) at Legally Blonde. Women can enjoy special Happy Hour and pre-show dining specials, have dinners delivered to stage side tables, and win door prizes from local merchants. Each table booked for Girls Night Out receives a gift from New Canaan Wine Merchants.
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan presents shows in Waveny Park, New Canaan under an all weather modern open air tent theatre with comfortable seating. A limited number of stage side tables and tables for two are available for booking small parties and dining prior or during the shows. Convenient parking is adjacent to theatre at Dunning Field entrance to theatre via New Canaan High School.
For more info on the shows, educational programs, events and promotions go online to stonc.org or call the box office at 203-966-4634. Tickets go on sale beginning May 21st.
About the Summer Theatre of New Canaan:
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan is a not for profit professional theatre company that presents professional family oriented musicals and Theatre for Young Audience shows through August 9 at Waveny Park in New Canaan CT. The theatre company also presents new works, educational programs including College internships, High School Pre-College Theatre Intensive, Middle School Junior Company and the DramaRamas program for children with special needs. All performances are held in the Summer Theater’s state-of the art open-air tent theater – rain or shine - located in Waveny Park, New Canaan CT adjacent to New Canaan High School Dunning Field. Free convenient parking. More information at 203-966-4634 or online stonc.org.
For more information about this and other great events, visit FCBuzz.org.