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Office: 203-966-4634

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 19th Anniversary Gala for Summer Theatre of New Canaan Honorees Broadway Legend Director/Choreographer/Writer George Faison
and
Local Philanthropic Patrons Frank Bennack and Dr. Mary Lake Polan.

The Summer Theatre of New Canaan (Stonc) will honor the celebrated producer, writer, composer, director, choreographer and dancer George Faison. He made history as the first black choreographer to win a Broadway Tony for his breakthrough choreography on THE WIZ. He is also active in his community founding the Faison Firehouse Theatre for the performing arts outreaching to neighborhood children and young adults.

Gala evening will also feature performances by recent Broadway and local stars from the theatre's past shows. There will be performances from leading cast members singing highlights from this summers Tony winning Broadway musical Once On This Island. This production is to be directed and choreographed by the iconic George Faison.

“It is quite exciting to bring George Faison to be honored and who will also work with us this summer here in Connecticut,” says actress and educator Melody Meitrott Libonati, the theatre’s artistic director.  It will be a great moment for Connecticut theatre" She adds, “I've had the joy of working with George in my career as a Broadway actress and he brings such a creative force whenver he enters the room".   
read more about George:

"Our theatre company is also thrilled that we can honor and recognize Frank Bennack and Mary Lake Polan for their generous support of the performing arts in Connecticut and our educational and school touring programs” adds Libonati.  Honoree Frank Bennack is the Vice Chair and former CEO of the Hearst Corporation. On the philanthropic side, he is also Chair of the Paley Center for Media, and Chair Emeritus of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and past Trustee Chair of New York-Presbyterian Hospital.  Read more about Frank in his recent autobiography - "Leave Something on the Table".

Dr. Mary Lake Polan was chair of obstetrics and gynecology for 15 years at Stanford University School of Medicine and returned to the Yale School of Medicine faculty as a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology & reproductive sciences.  Mary Lake is an Emerita Trustee of Connecticut College and is currently a member of the Board of Overseers of the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University.
More about Frank Bennack and Mary Lake Polan

Evening Entertainment will feature Stars fo Summer Theatre De’Sean Dooley, Allison Gray, Daniel Klein,  Mary McNaulty, Jodi Stevens, Melissa Victor, Richard Weidlich, Rebecca Mason-Wygal & Cast Members from this season’s Tony-Winning musical Once On This Island

Gala is May 14th beginning at 5:30PM Tickets include pre dinner outdoor cocktail reception, dinner, live auction with auctioneer plus Summer Theatre Stars in Concert,  Funds raised will support the theatre’s upcoming season and educational programs.  For more information visit the Summer Theatre of New Canaan’s website STONC.ORG or call 203-966-4634

Note of Health protocols:
All attendees should be vacinated. Mask wearing will be determined by local health protocols at time of Gala.

 Photos of Honorees

Honoree George Faison
(contributed photo)

Honorees Frank Bennack and Dr. Mary Lake Polan
(Contributed Photo)

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Practically Perfect!

The Summer Theatre of New Canaan 21st GALA!
Saturday May 4, 6 - 9:30pm
Country Club of New Canaan

Experience A Night To Remember
Join us for an evening of
Magic, Live Auction and performances of songs 
from our upcoming Broadway musical MARY POPPINS.
See the Running of the Kentucky Derby - From Post to Finish!
and come to Honor
Our "Off Stage Stars"  Jim & Dede Bartlett!

Icon's of Philanthropy and Community Service
    Dede and Jim Bartlett  (Bio)
contributed photo

Plus - For our Derby Fans
we will show the Kentucky Derby
LIVE during the evening!

Auctioneer
National Cabart Award Winning Artist
Reverend Shawn Moninger

Gala Committee

Angelica Cantlon   Kimberly Jodka  

Melody Libonati   Kathryn McManus  

Cathy Mishkin    Charles Pavarini

Olena Sharavarnyk   Ellen Sisson  

Laura Turner

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EVENING EVENTS

6-7pm
Cocktail Reception

7-7:05pm (Post time)
Kentucky Derby Run Live

7:15 - 8pm
Dinner & Entertainment

8 - 9:30pm
Honoree Presentation,
Performances & Live Auction

Attire:
Dress for a Magical Evening

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IT'S TIME TO START LIVIN'
Our 19th Aniniversary GALA
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2022 Gala Committee

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GALA EVENING

FESTIVE ATTIRE

Country Club of New Canaan
95 Country Club Road
New Canaan CT 06840

Evening to support the Professional Programs, Elementary School Touring and Outreach to underserved communities, families and seniors.

Program:
5:30 pm - Opening Cocktail Reception
6:30 pm - Dinner
7:45 pm - Honorees Presentation
8:00 pm - Stars in Concert

FEATURING
De’Sean Dooley  Allison Gray 
Daniel Klein  Mary McNaulty 
Jodi Stevens   Melissa Victor 
Richard Weidlich  
Rebecca Mason-Wygal
&
Cast Members from this season’s Tony-Winning musical Once On This Island

A Live Auction will occur during the evening events to support theatre programs

Executive Producer Table
(Seating up to 10)
$10,000
includes Opening Reception, Dinner and Show, Stage-side table, Recognition from Stage, Name in Season Program

Producer Table
(Seating up to 10)
$7,500
includes Opening Reception, Dinner and Show, table upfront, Name in Season Program

Producer Ticket
$500
includes Opening Reception, Dinner and Show table near stage, Name in Season Program

Director Ticket
$250
includes Opening Reception,nDinner and Show

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20th Anniversary Honorees

George and Carol Bauer: Community Philanthropists of the Arts, Education and Health

George and Carol Bauer help enable many nobel causes. They have chaired and participated on numerous non-profit and corporate boards and have been major patrons helping support education programs, new facilities in universities, hospitals, social services and arts organizations. George began his career with IBM. He has created, managed and advised many businesses around the globe involving real estate, technology, transportation, investing and start ups. Carol also serves as a hospital Chaplin at Norwalk Hospital. She is actively involved in community programs. George and Carol are active members of the United Methodist Church of New Canaan.

David Friedman: Author, Broadway & Movie Composer and Music Director

David started his career as a Broadway music director and conductor. Soon he was collaborating and writing hits for many recording artists including Diana Ross, Barry Manilow and Lucie Arnaz. He was the original music supervisor and conductor for Disney’s Academy and Grammy award winning Beauty and the Beast movie and the Tony winning Broadway Show. David has also composed and supervised the music for other disney features. David recently composed the music for Desperate Measures that had a very successful  Off-Broadway run and is now being produced across the country. He has authored several books on wellness including his most recent release titled “Thought Exchange”.

In a career that spans more than 3 decades, Mr. Gallo has designed the lighting for over 50 Broadway productions.  He made his Broadway debut at the age of 27 with Passione, starring Jerry Stiller.  Subsequently, he has had the privilege of working with the amazing talents of Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg, Cher, Renée Zellweger, Liam Neeson, Paul Rudd, Cynthia Nixon, Laura Linney, Ben Stiller, Victor Garber, Christopher Walken, Stockard Channing, Patti Lupone, Kevin Kline, Chris Noth, Kristin Chenoweth, Laurie Metcalf, John Lithgow, David Hyde Pierce, Kathy Bates, Patrick Stewart, Leslie Uggams, Joanne Woodward, Christopher Plummer, Sandy Dennis, E.G. Marshall, Jessica Tandy, Rex Harrison and Elizabeth Taylor.