Oxford Resident, Tyler Panek, To Perform With Center Stage Theatre

Oxford resident, Tyler Panek, has spent the last three summers appearing in stage productions as a member of the Youth CONNection with Center Stage Theatre in Shelton. This summer is no different for Panek as he has been cast in the leading role of “Father” in the theatre’s upcoming production of Stephen Schwartz’s musical, Children of Eden, which opens at Shelton Intermediate School on July 28th and plays through August 5th.A graduate of Oxford High School, Panek is a junior at the University of Connecticut where he is double majoring in Vocal Performance and Music Education.“I’m really excited to be performing in such a profound play,” said Panek. “Since the Book of Genesis is the backdrop for the play, I’m essentially playing the role of God, which is pretty daunting. But the fact is that Schwartz brilliantly uses the stories from Genesis to convey a greater message about our own families, and, in the bigger picture, the family of Man. In this case, ‘Father’ is a less than perfect parent and has lessons of his own to learn.”Stephen Schwartz, known for musicals like Godspell, Pippin, and the smash hit, Wicked, wrote the moving Biblical fable about parents, children, and faith in 1986, and, while it has never had a Broadway run, it has become a staple for professioinal, educational, and community theaters throughout the country! The musical ultimately delivers a bittersweet but inspiring message that "the hardest part of love is letting go!” Panek, who played “The Piragau Man” in Center Stage’s production of In the Heights has risen up through the ranks, having gone from small roles to a leading player over the course of recent years.“I remember Tyler coming to us as a sophomore in high school,” said Artistic Director Gary Scarpa, “and, over the course of five years, he has evolved into a highly skilled performer and one of the greatest singers we have directed in our many years of working with student actors.”The Youth CONNection, founded by Gary and Francesca Scarpa in 1983, now kicks off each Center Stage Theatre season. Each summer the group presents a major musical at Shelton High School or Shelton Intermediate School. In recent years, the group has performed such musicals as In the Heights, Peter Pan, Les Miserables, and Legally Blonde . Members of the Youth CONNection have also given benefit performances for civic organizations and worthy causes throughout the state, including Juvenile Diabetes, theAmerican Cancer Society, Hospice, the Ronald McDonald House, AIDS Project New Haven, The American Cancer Society, and Unicef. Youth CONNection productions are known for their energy, excitement, and professionalism.Children of Eden will be presented at Shelton Intermediate School at 8:00 p.m. on July 28th, 29th, August 4th, and August 5th, and also at 2:00 p.m. on August 5th. Tickets are $ 20 for adults and $ 15 for students and may be purchased by calling 203-225-6079 or visiting www.centerstageshelton.org.