New Canaan, Conn., May , 2019— The Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC), recognized by theatre critics as one of Connecticut’s premiere summer theatres, will now present professional theatre in its new downtown New Canaan location. Beginning its 16th summer season, STONC attracts thousands of visitors to New Canaan each year. This new downtown location offers convenient parking and access to the town’s excellent restaurants and shops. “The Theatre being located in downtown New Canaan, will now offer a more expansive entertainment experience to its audiences” explains Tucker Murphy, Director New Canaan Chamber of Commerce and chair of the town’s newly appointed tourist board. She adds, “Their audiences can easily enjoy our unique shopping, great selection of restaurants and international attractions including The Glass House and Grace Farms.”
The new performance location for the Summer Theatre, is in the New Canaan Library’s Christine’s Garden Park located at 56 South Avenue adjacent to the New Canaan Library. Melody Libonati, Artistic Director of the theatre company says “We are excited to be again associated with the New Canaan Library to help enhance New Canaan as a cultural destination.” Last year STONC and the Library successfully presented free Shakespeare to the public in the same location where the theatre will now present its full professional season. Lisa Oldham, executive director of the New Canaan Library explains, “We view our role within the community as a conduit for inspiration and discovery. Our continued association with STONC to present professional theatre right here in downtown New Canaan is a cultural gift to our community.”
The STONC season will offer multiple shows and events during its season from mid-June through July. Shows include Broadway’s iconic 2 time Tony Award winning Best Musical and Best Musical Revival PIPPIN with music and lyrics by Ridgefield’s Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Hunchback of Notre Dame). This production will feature award winning CT, NYC and Broadway actors and full orchestra beginning July 5. Two Theatre for a Young Audience (TYA) shows will be produced including the NY Times Critics Pic for family shows, THE LIGHT PRINCESS beginning June 22, originally directed and co-developed by recent New Canaan resident Allegra Libonati for both A.R.T Regional Theatre based at Harvard and The New Victory Theatre in NYC. STONC commissioned its second TYA show that will be a world premiere from Chicago’s Brose Do Prose creative team for a new adaptation of TREASURE ISLAND. The theatre company plans to tour TREASURE ISLAND to elementary schools across Connecticut this fall.
the Artistic Director and continues “We are so glad to collaborate this summer with STONC and bring our dance company home to our community.”
Performances by STONC’s award winning education program, The DramaRamas (children with special needs 8-18), will present an adaptation of PIPPIN on July 24. The theatre’s Junior Company (middle-school age children) will present production of PIPPIN on July 26. Both performances are open to the public as well.
The theatre’s season begins June 22 and runs through the end of July. The PIPPIN main stage performances are Wednesday/Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays 4pm. The a young family shows are on weekends Saturdays at 3pm and Sundays and 11am or 1pm. For more information and online ticket sales visit Stonc.org. (Tickets go on sale May 21)
About STONC:
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan is A 501c3 not for profit professional theatre company. Performances are presented in a state of the art open air tent with comfortable seating, easy access and free convenient parking at New Canaan Library’s Christine’s Garden Park. It offers award winning educational summer programs for middle school, high school and for children with special needs. STONC tours its young family shows to schools across Connecticut. Business office located at 70 Pine St. New Canaan CT. 06840. More info online at stonc.org or call 203-966-4634. Email: stefanie@stonc.org