Summer Theatre of New Canaan
Stephen Schwartz Concert & Benefit 3/5/1
Stephen Schwartz Concert & Benefit
Featuring Stephen Schwartz, Debbie Gravitte and Scott Coulter
Photos by Tom Hughey
Photos by Tom Hughey
Continued...
Melody Meitrott Libonati, Artistic Director for the Summer Theater who introduced Stephen Schwartz that evening added, “Stephen enchanted the audience which included many young aspiring artists. What a joy it is to introduce artists to our community who can inspired and transform our audiences.” She paraphrases a line from one of Stephen Schwartz lyrics from WICKED performed that evening to sum up his performance, “Because we have have met you, we have been changed for good.”
The concert’s conclusion was a medley of superstar songs demonstrating the artistry and immense talent of Stephen Schwartz from GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, POCAHONTAS, WORKING, CHILDREN OF EDEN, HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and of course, WICKED. The audience gave three standing ovations and received two encores.
The evening began with a video of the “history of Summer Theatre”, highlighting the six seasons of shows produced by the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. Following, Ms. Libonati, was the MC for a live auction that included house seats & backstage tours to WICKED, BILLY ELLIOT AND HAIR, New York Giant Football Tickets and luxurious vacation homes. A basket of “Wicked” items was on display created by Priscilla Potenza and raffled off.
Following the performance, Stephen Schwartz and Carol de Giere were on hand to sign her biography, “Defying Gravity, The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked” and selling out copies to the appreciative crowd. A patron reception following the show with the performers was held at the home of Matt and Mariko LeBaron. Singing “Happy Birthday” to Stephen Schwartz with David Friedman at the piano highlighted the evening.
Event was held in New Canaan CT May 12-16
Featured 20 Leading
Interior Designers
Plus Lectures, Book Signings, Garden Boutiques,
Gourmet Cafe And Meet the Designers Preview Party
To Benefit Free Shakespeare, Waveny Park New Canaan
Brian Stokes Mitchell,
(Broadway Tony Winner Best Actor in a Musical)
Was the event Honorary Artistic Chairman
Charles Pavarini III, Event Creator and Chairman
Performers from the Preview Benefit Party - Malika Petty, Morgan I. Karr, Kate Bodenheimer, Christian Libonati, Sean Bradford, Marisa Perry, Dan Miccciche
Interior design and live theatre merge as one May 12th through 16th, 2010 during “Spring Awakening” - a tabletop design event that will capture the imagination and talents of the creative arts.
Meet Charles Pavarinni III at Spring Awakening
Set in the historic 22-room Le Beau Chateau mansion on 52 acres located at 104 Dan’s Highway
New Canaan, CT, (see map) the estate has been a mystery for over 50 years. Now open exclusively for Spring "Awakening, it provides a dramatic backdrop for this unprecedented event benefitting the Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC). Spring Awakening will feature over 20 Broadway Show inspired table-top vignettes through the eyes of leading New York, New Jersey and Connecticut designers – portraying such popular hits as A Secret Garden, Hair Spray, Jekyll & Hyde, Peter Pan, Phantom of the Opera and A Little Night Music. (See list of designers and shows)
Public Viewing
Open daily Thu. May 13 – Sat. May 15, 11:00am – 6:00 pm
Sun. May 16, 11:00 – 5:00pm
Opening Designer Preview Party Benefit Wed. May 12, 6:30 - 9:30pm
Café open 11am - 2:00pm
Featuring Bertrand L’Herbette &
Fabulous Feasts Catering
Garden Shop Boutiques
Open 11am - 6pm
Lectures
Fri: May 14, 3:30-4:30 Betty Johnson, The Art of Tea, “My Mother Loved Tea”,
Sat: May 15, 12:30-1:30 Mar Jennings, Garden Design
“Life on Mars-a Four Season Garden”,
Sat: May 15, 3:00-4:30 Judith Jones, Author “My Life in Food”,
editor of Julia Child and James Beard
Spring Awakening kicked off with a press only preview Wednesday from 3:00-6:00. Then following was a Designer Preview Party Wednesday night 6:30-9:30 to benefit Free Shakespeare at Waveny Park for the New Canaan Summer Theatre. Guests were among the first to tour the Chateau, see the Broadway inspired displays, meet the designers and be entertained by Broadway and Professional performers singing songs from the designer's shows. Also cocktails and light fare were served.
The Spring Awakening Designer Show opened to the public Thursday May 13 through Saturday May 15, 11:00am – 6:00pm, and Sunday, May 16, 12:00pm – 5:00pm and also featured lunch lectures, book signings and a fantastic outdoor “Secret Garden” boutique throughout. Scheduled special guests included Mar Jennings the Lifestyle and Garden expert and author of the revered Life on Mar’s garden book. Judith Jones the author and editor of James Beard and Julia Child and Betty Johnson of Bigelow Tea. An Opening Night Designer Reception Party, kicked-off the event May 13th 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM and feature celebrity appearances and live Broadway performances by the STONC.
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“This magnificent event allowed patrons of the arts and fans of design to experience Broadway musicals in an extraordinary evening, immersed in the imaginations of the designers and live performances that inspired them, says Melody Libonati,” STONC founder and artistic director.
The table-top show will be anchored by a magnificent table-scape by the firm of event chairman, Charles Pavarini III. A trustee, avid supporter of STONC and performer himself, Pavarini spearheaded the event and said the event demonstrates how important the different creative arts are to each other within the community.
“As a performer myself, I can appreciate the need for young talent to have an opportunity to learn and grow. STONC has become a very exciting theatre group, with fresh, imaginative shows critics and audiences have compared to Broadway,” says Pavarini. “What better way to welcome the season than an arts event combining talents from different disciplines in a marvelous vintage Chateau never seen by the public.”
Spring Awakening is produced by the Summer Theatre of New Canaan.
Please support our generous sponsors:
