When Lori Berisford, SPHERE’s President and Board Chair, asked Daniel C. Levine, the Artistic Director of ACT (A Contemporary Theater) of Connecticut, if he and ACT of CT’s Resident Music Supervisor Bryan Perri would consider creating a short performance for SPHERE’s November 13th Gala with some of its members, Daniel responded: “Count me in!”
There was no hesitation because, as Daniel explained in a recent interview, “I’m a fan of SPHERE and of Lori and our remarkable Ridgefield community.” Daniel emphasized that he and his husband Bryan felt so warmly embraced by the town when they became permanent residents in 2014, that giving back to this community that they love is what they do - happily and without reservation.
ACT of CT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional Equity theater in Ridgefield “...dedicated to inspiring, creating and nurturing a culturally diverse and equitable environment...” which dovetails closely with SPHERE’s mission “… to enrich and enhance the lives of adults with disabilities through education, recreation and the arts …” making this collaboration a natural. In fact, ACT of CT collaborates with many non-profits in Ridgefield as part of their mission and their gratitude to a town that is also a cherished home.
The Gala performance that Daniel has created for eight of SPHERE’s members is a fun compilation of Broadway and Pop hits – “a little escape” - which includes singing, movement, and storytelling. Daniel explains “It’s all about giving these members a fun experience. All participants are at varying levels and have different skill sets. My goal is to provide a rehearsal and performance experience that they will enjoy and fondly remember.” Daniel went on to say that the SPHERE members are taking the rehearsal process very seriously. “It’s remarkable to watch these brave individuals work so very hard, do their homework, and in some cases conquer their fears.”
After the first rehearsal, Daniel was slightly concerned due to the amount of content that the members were meant to learn. “I created a show in advance of meeting the members,” Daniel said, “a show with lots of lyrics and movement.” But at the next rehearsal, the SPHERE members wowed Daniel. “They were memorized, confident and I just felt so damn proud of them.”
Daniel confesses to tearing up watching the members working together, conquering their dance steps, supporting each other with their strong bond of friendship. This is a value that ACT of CT holds dear, a community that supports each other. One of ACT of CT’s many offerings to the community is a “Sensory Friendly Performance” where one performance of each of the theater’s mainstage musicals is dedicated to patrons with sensory sensitivities.
ACT of CT’s generous gift, in Daniel’s words “...is to celebrate SPHERE’s mission, to offer a fun little performance for Gala attendees, and a great experience for the SPHERE members.”
This year’s SPHERE Gala (“Reach for the Stars”), will honor Lori Berisford with SPHERE’s Commitment to Service Award on November 13, 2021, at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury starting at 6:30 P.M. There will be dining, dancing, a silent and live auction, and the ACT SPHERE performance collaboration.
For more information, please visit SPHERECT.org.