Ridgefield honors MLK Jr and celebrates a resident who embodies his principles

Ridgefield Honors Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Music, Unity, and Community Spirit

The Ridgefield community gathered on January 20th at The Ridgefield Playhouse for the 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. This free event honored the enduring legacy of the civil rights leader through inspirational speeches, heartfelt musical performances, and the presentation of the prestigious Spirit of Dr. King Community Service Award.

This year’s ceremony drew a record-breaking 300 attendees, a testament to Ridgefield’s commitment to celebrating unity and diversity.

The Spirit of Dr. King Award was presented to Daniel C. Levine, co-founder and Artistic Director of A.C.T. of Connecticut. A veteran Broadway actor and cherished member of Ridgefield’s arts community, Levine was recognized for his unwavering commitment to local organizations and his leadership in fostering a thriving cultural scene.

Levine shared a heartfelt reflection on how Ridgefield became his home, a journey that began with his brother’s move to nearby Redding. “I would leave New York City to visit my brother in Redding.” Levine shared. “I would take my niece and nephew to Ridgefield because there was that much to do in Redding. And when I came to Ridgefield, it just felt like home.”

As someone who thought a career in theater required living in New York City, Levine initially saw Ridgefield as a weekend retreat. He purchased a house intending for it to be his NYC getaway, but the town quickly worked its magic. “I knew this [Ridgefield] was for art and culture, but I didn’t realize the depth—I also discovered how much community mattered to this town,” Levine said.

Pretty soon, Levine found himself not wanting to leave. “I started turning down auditions and opportunities in New York City because I just didn’t want to leave this town,” he explained. Levine became deeply involved in Ridgefield’s thriving arts scene, beginning with creating concert versions of Broadway musicals and serving as Artistic Advisor for The Ridgefield Playhouse at the invitation of former Executive Director Allison Stockel. Eventually, alongside his husband, music director Bryan Perri, and Broadway producer Katie Diamond, Levine co-founded A.C.T. of Connecticut.

“As a Broadway actor, where else could you live except for NYC to make a career in theater? And secondly, as a gay person, it never occurred to me—especially all those years ago—that I would ever be welcomed in any small town. I always thought I would only be able to live my true authentic life in a big city. Well, I was totally wrong.”

“As a Broadway actor, I never imagined there could be another place besides New York City to pursue a career in theater. And, as a gay person, it never occurred to me—especially all those years ago—that I would ever be welcomed in any small town. I always thought I would only be able to live my true authentic life in a big city. Well, I was totally wrong.”

Mark Robinson, a longtime organizer of the ceremony and the 2020 honoree,, introduced Levine with warm praise: “The ‘C’ in Daniel C. Levine stands for caring, compassion, creativity, and commitment to community.”

The celebration featured powerful performances by local artists and groups, including:

• The Ridgefield Chorale performing United in Purpose, with words by Maya Angelou.
• A.C.T. of Connecticut’s Youth Choir, directed by Deborah Penn, singing Why We Sing by Greg Gilpin.
• Actress and writer Kimberly Wilson who shared a message of love and delivered a moving rendition of Peace on Earth.
• SPHERE members, sharing a passionate performance of This Is Me from The Greatest Showman.
• Ridgefield’s Poet Laureate Ira Joe Fisher wrote and recited an original poem in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. 
• Music director Bryan Perri delivered an incredible performance of the Indigo Girls’ Galileo and and welcomed Broadway actress Jennifer Babiak* to the stage to perform at breathtaking rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Yiddish.

The ceremony also marked the debut of the Youth Ambassadors of Compassionate Ridgefield: Julia Knispel, Donnelly Rodgers, and Naomi Vakil, who pledged to continue Dr. King’s mission of unity and compassion.

First Selectperson Rudy Marconi emphasized Ridgefield’s efforts to honor Dr. King’s legacy through school programs, community workshops, and initiatives promoting unity including Compassionate Ridgefield.

The event concluded with attendees singing Put A Little Love in Your Heart, embodying Dr. King’s timeless vision of love, peace, and justice for all.

“The Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration has become an enduring and highly regarded tradition in Ridgefield,” Robinson noted. “Our purpose is to ensure the spirit with which Dr. King lived, and the struggles for which he died, are remembered and carried forward.”

Special acknowledgment goes to members of our religious community, Reverend Erika Plank Hagan, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Associate for Caring Ministries and Rabbi David Reiner of Congregation Shir Shalom, and for contributing to today's unforgettable celebration.

*Jennifer Babiak, a familiar face at A.C.T. of CT, will take on the lead role of Golde in the theater’s highly anticipated production of Fiddler on the Roof.