Cast & Staff

Creative Team

Melody Libonati, Director
David Hancock Turner, Music Director
Devon Allen, Lighting Designer
Kevin Hannah, Set Designer
Katie Oxman, Choreographer
Jim Hart, Technical Director
Orli Nativ, Costume Designer
Avery Trunko, Stage Manager
Rachel Powers, ASM

Videos

Gallery

Cast

Cast

Gallery

Coming soon!

Cast & Staff

Creative Team

Christian Libonati, Director
Dan Chapman, Production Manager/Lighting Designer
Liz Sherrier, Scenic Designer
Orli Nativ, Costume Designer
Daniel Bria, Sound Designer

Cast

Cast

*members of the Actors' Equity Association

Gallery

Reviews

"HAIRSPRAY EXPLODES IN DIZZYING DELIGHT!"

"PERFECT ENTERTAINMENT"

"HAIRSPRAY WILL BLOW YOU AWAY"

"A FULL-FLEDGED BROADWAY QUALITY PERFORMANCE"

"Summer Theatre of New Canaan rocks the summer months with the powerhouse, feel-good musical, Hairspray. You are treated to a full-fledged Broadway quality performance that rivals and, in some cases, surpasses many older, well-established, year-round theaters."
"Summer Theatre of New Canaan's production deserves as many accolades for its exceptional production team and stellar cast."

"...killer dance moves, and choreographer Doug Shankman provides those. The entire cast executes these dance moves and all of the songs perfectly. The performances are so authentic and believable that the show never loses its early 60's vibe."

"The heart and soul of the show belong to the perfectly cast ... Rebecca Spigelman shines as the buoyantly bubbly teen Tracy Turnblad..."

"Standout performances include A'lisa Miles as Motormouth Maybelle, ... Her soulful rendition of the gospel inspired song, "I Know Where I've Been" is a showstopper.

"Hairspray is a joyous celebration of love, acceptance, and equality. It is sure to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face as you walk out of the theater."

-Cindy Cardozo - CT Critics Circle

"...the Summer Theatre does not disappoint."

"...supporting actress KeLeen Snowgren is Saturday Night Live worthy."

"Rebecca Spigelman executes as Tracy, and while her singing is excellent, it is her likeability and humor (especially around love interest Link Larkin, played by Nick Pankuch) that shine. Not to be missed is her hysterical sidekick Penny Pingleton, played flawlessly by Sharon Malane, and Greg London as Tracy's mother Edna, who was reminiscent of Modern Family's Cameron and provides plenty of laughs himself."

"...it was hard not to notice the entire audience walking out in smiles, myself included."

"This rendition of Hairspray is nothing short of an astoundingly energetic journey filled with hilarious performances, uplifting messages, and musical/dance numbers..."

-Ryan Elizabeth Logie - Moffly Media, IloveFairfiedCounty.com

"I got the feeling that by the finale a lot of the audience members had to restrain themselves from jumping to their feet to join the cast on-stage for just one more chorus of "You Can't Stop the Beat" – the show is that infectious."

"...this production of "Hairspray" is exactly what summer theatergoers are looking for: a toe-tappping, ear-pleasing musical with enough eye-candy to require going on a visual diet for at least a week after seeing the show."

- Geary Danihy - Connecticut Theater News and Reviews, CT Critics Circle

"If you're looking for summer musical theater that's chock full of top-notch talent that - in this particular case - is better than Broadway - at a third of the price, get tickets to see "Hairspray" at the Summer Theater of New Canaan."

"I must confess this was my first visit to The Summer Theater of New Canaan, located in an airy, all-weather tent adjacent to New Canaan High School in Waveny Park – but it won't be my last. If you think you have to travel to Manhattan – or Goodspeed – for high quality musical productions with Equity casts, you haven't discovered this 'gem,' right here in Fairfield County."

- Susan Granger - SSG Syndicate, CT Critics Circle

"The 1960's come alive in this sparkling musical comedy "Hairspray" ... in a glorious tent, will be injecting energy and enthusiasm

"Allegra Libonati directs this bursting at the seams happy fest of a show..."

"The Dynamites, Melissa Victor, Tatianna Mott and Darilyn Steele, dazzle whenever they sing and dance."

 -Bonnie Goldberg - CT Critics Circle

"'You Can't Stop The Beat' -- even in New Canaan!"

"This lively, entertaining production features a bouncy, sparkling, Rebecca Spigelman in the role of "Tracy." Greg London, in drag, is outstanding in the role of her overpowering, yet loving mother, "Edna," and Nick Reynolds is the colorful, sympathetic dad, "Wilbur." Sharon Malane gets right into character as Tracy's amusing friend, "Penny," and De'Sean Dooley is absolutely charming as the hip-swaying, dance attraction "Seaweed" ".

"This is a full-scale production under the capable direction of Allegra Libonati, and features a rich-sounding orchestra directed by David Hancock Turner. Comfortable, tiered seating has been newly installed under the airy, all-weather tent at New Canaan's Waveny Park and the viewing is great from everywhere."

"You will have to restrain your hips and feet from keeping the beat."

" "Hairspray" is perfect entertainment for the high school crowd, parents and grandparent..."

-Marlene S. Gaylinn - CT Critics Circle

"Hairspray will blow you away!"

"The cast is absolutely solid and professional ... especially so in big song and dance numbers that are done with overwhelming precision,

"...a team consisting of Allegra Libonati (director), David Hancock Turner (musical director), and Doug Shankman (choreographer) have honed this company to perfection."

"Jodi Stevens' Velma is a tour de force..."

"...rich thanks to Alisa Miles for her beautiful and powerful lead in "I know Where I've been," which brought tears to this reviewer's eyes."

"New Canaan is lucky to have the Summer Theatre, and especially to have this superb production."

-Tom Nissley - The Ridgelea Reports on Theatre, CT Critics Circle

"STONC's Hairspray turns heads: You can't stop the beat...and you won't want to"

"Director Allegra Libonati has once again scored a hit this season!"

"STONC's cast is youthful and energetic but their high-caliber performances, led by Ms. Spigelman, exceed typical summer theater fare. never misses a beat, belting out "Welcome to the Sixties" and "Without Love," as she dances non-stop. A top-notch ensemble backs her up, as do stellar supporting leads, such as Greg London, as Edna Turnblad, Tracy's mother, De'Sean Dooley, as Seaweed J. Stubbs, A'lisa Miles as Motormouth Maybelle, and Jodi Stevens, as Velma Von Tussle."

 "The whole Hairspray crew was amazing. They made me feel like I was back in the 60's-- feeling their troubles, and wanting equal rights like they did..."

-Karen Dydzuhn - patch.com

Nominations

Nominations from Broadwayworld.com's CT Theatre Awards