Ridgefield's Spirit Of Dr. King Award Jan 20 To Go To Daniel C Levine

On Monday January 20, 2025 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, the Town of Ridgefield will host the 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, honoring the legacy of the great civil rights leader, with an awards ceremony, speakers and performances at The Ridgefield Playhouse that is free to the community. The Spirit of Dr. King Community Service Award, which is presented each year to a Ridgefield resident who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community service and selflessness, will be given to A.C.T. of Connecticut's Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine. Free for the community to attend, this annual tradition honors the memory of Dr. King and celebrates how his legacy lives on in the good works of Ridgefielders today.

Daniel C. Levine is the co-founder and Artistic Director of A.C.T. (A Contemporary Theater) of Connecticut. Now in its seventh season under Daniel’s leadership, A.C.T. of CT has become one of the most high-profile regional theaters in New England and continues to be recognized for its Broadway caliber productions and performances. Before co-founding A.C.T. of CT in 2018, Daniel had a successful career as a Broadway actor and upon moving to Ridgefield immediately donated his time to The Ridgefield Playhouse, volunteering as the artistic director for their budding Broadway/Cabaret series- where he also created and produced shows, such as the concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar, among others. In addition to his contribution to the art and culture of Ridgefield, Daniel has donated his time and talent to many other non profits in town, such as Founders Hall, Keeler Tavern Museum, the Ridgefield Library, ROAR, Compassionate Ridgefield, SPHERE and many more. Daniel helped the non profit Jane Doe No More by donating his time and talent to create an original musical production that was based on survivors of sexual crimes, which not only empowered them to share their stories but also raised money for the non profit. He brought community together by reimagining Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Working” for A.C.T. of CT, creating a powerful rendition that celebrated the town of Ridgefield and its dedicated workforce. This unique adaptation resonated so deeply that it now serves as a model for productions worldwide, with Ridgefield, CT as its inspiring template. Daniel has been a resident of Ridgefield for more than thirteen years and his commitment to the town has been extraordinary. Daniel also served as a Commissioner on Ridgefield’s Conservation Commission for more than 6 years. He was the recipient of the Arts Volunteer Award, the Dr. Henry C. Lee Award, and received a Special Congressional Recognition from the 5th district. Daniel and his husband Bryan Perri are proud to call Ridgefield their home.
In addition to the Award presentation, many community organizations, such as The Ridgefield Chorale, SPHERE, the A.C.T. of CT Youth Choir, actress Kimberly Wilson, and Levine’s husband and musical director Bryan Perri will all perform. “The Martin Luther King Day celebration has become an enduring and highly regarded tradition in Ridgefield,” says Mark Robinson, ceremony organizer and former member of the state’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, “Our purpose is to ensure that the spirit with which Dr. King lived and the struggles for which he died are remembered and live on in the hearts and minds of our community.”
Started in 1997 as one of several community activities and initiatives organized and sponsored by ROUND (Ridgefielders Organized for Understanding and Diversity), the MLK celebration has changed and grown over the years; from standing on the steps outside of the Community Center, to becoming a larger event in the basement of Town Hall, to becoming even more celebratory when moved to The Ridgefield Playhouse in 2013. When Rudy Marconi took office as First Selectman in 1999, he became Ridgefield’s first elected official to formally participate and has joined Mark Robinson as a co-organizer of the event ever since, with former Ridgefield Playhouse Executive Director Allison Stockel joining the team about 10 years ago. Once the ceremony was moved to the theater, approximately 12 years ago, the Martin Luther King Day ceremony began including multiple performers and draws crowds upwards of 250 attendees. It is free to the community and takes place at The Ridgefield Playhouse.
The Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; 203-438-5795; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.