Entertainment
‘Camelot’ under tent in New Canaan affirms power of theater
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Jul 22, 2009 - 3:57 AM

Omen Sade, right, with Christian Libonati who plays the revengeful Mordred in “Camelot.”

What intrigues Omen Sade about the theater is that acting “reveals that the human spirit is so incredibly transformative and all of us are capable of an infinite number of possibilities.” “The appeal,” he explains, “is you are inspired to use your imagination as you did when you were a child, a magical quality many of us regrettably lose as we grow older.”

“At the same time,” Sade adds, “the theater is endlessly compelling because of its inherent power to affect change.”

That’s why the actor Sade admires most is Charlie Chaplin, the cinematic icon who produced social documentaries of the times and exposed Hitler’s vileness in “The Great Dictator” (1941).

Sade, 24, appears in the spirited ensemble of “Camelot,” the magical musical interpretation of idealism and forgiveness that winds up the sixth critically acclaimed season of Summer Theatre of New Canaan in New Canaan’s Waveny Park.

Lerner and Loewe’s Broadway masterpiece with its enthrallingly rich score of music and dance has been inventively converted into a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience by Director Melody Libonati with an Actors’ Equity-based cast of more than 30 performing under the dramatic arc and comfortable intimacy of a weather-proof open-air canopy in the park.

Says Libonati: “We want to give multigenerational audiences theater that they know will always be creative, entertaining and well-produced.”

The production—based on King Arthur’s legendary realm and the Knights of the Round Table in a captivating setting of wizards and fairies—showcases such songs as “Camelot,” “If Ever I Should Leave You” and “The Lusty Month of May.”

In a grassy, woodsy ambiance conducive to family fun and picnicking, the play runs through Aug. 2, Wednesdays Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. July 26 and Aug. 2, the final performance.

Reserved seating is priced at $35 and $50 with hillside accommodation at $20 for lawn chairs and blankets, sold the day of the performance. Tickets and additional information are available online at www.stonc.org or by calling the box office at (203) 966-4634. Ample parking is conveniently located at New Canaan High School accessible from Farm Road.

Onstage, the production showcases the husband-and-wife team of Sean Hannon and Emile Roberts from Weston, Allison Gray and Christian Libonati of New Canaan, Richard Hartley of Cos Cob and Rolland Llewellyn of Redding. All have appeared in previous productions in the park and bring regional and national theatrical credentials to the presentation.

As a student of Shakespeare in England and physical theater at the Accademia Dell’arte in Italy, Sade meanwhile is described by Libonati the director as an “inspiration” to the cast and a performer “of such flexibility he can do anything” onstage, tumbling, backflips and other acrobatics.

To his musical repertoire, he is adding the violin to the guitar, the flute and the washboard bass. Appearing earlier this season in the title role of “Pinocchio,” a folk musical mounted by the Filament Theatre Ensemble of Chicago, featuring a highly engaging score of original songs by the talented Tyler Beattie, Sade trained up his baritone/bass to sing tenor. He gave an outstanding performance as Tranio in “The Taming of the Shrew” opening the first full outdoor season by Summer Theatre of New Canaan in the park. And he worked as co-director with Allegra Libonati in “Shakespeare for Kids.” The key to acting?

“Believe in what you’re doing and find the truth in it,” Sade says. “Believing in the story, the production, the audience and yourself, makes it all work.”

“It’s also extremely gratifying,” he adds,” to be able to perform in a community like New Canaan that has so warm an appreciation for the live stage.”

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