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On Nov. 7, Little Britches is providing another unparalleled experience: Broadway veterans Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory, who first performed together as Tony and Maria of "West Side Story" in the 1968 Lincoln Center revival, reunite for "Twilight Notes," a concert highlighting the songs of Broadway's Golden Age and their experiences working on the stage during the 1960s and 1970s. Canterbury School in New Milford will host the event to benefit the equestrian organization in its Maguire Auditorium.
Three decades ago, Little Britches founder Peg Sweeny identified what an increasing amount of research has since proven-that animal therapy offers physical, emotional and social benefits. With two stables in Roxbury and Woodbury, the program now runs three classes a day, Monday through Saturday, in the spring, summer and fall. It currently serves 61 children with special needs of all types, some of whom have been riding with the program for up to 14 years. As president Susan Sieber explains, the organization works to never turn students away.
The eight horses come from donors who lease time to Little Britches or fully donate the animals. During the classes, three volunteers are assigned to each child. One person leads the horse while two others walk alongside as a safety measure. Some volunteers are parents of riders and others are Nonnewaug High School agriculture program students completing their senior projects.
"The benefits to each child are so individualized, but it brings them [all] happiness," said speech pathologist and volunteer Aimee Ciampini.
Physically, children gain balance and increased trunk muscle and diaphragm strength to help with stability in wheelchairs and with speech. Ms. Ciampini also noted that the riding also draws out even the most introverted of children as the horse will not move unless the rider speaks.
In terms of emotional and social benefits, she explains that daily functions, such as walking and talking, which many people take for granted, is difficult for special needs children. The horses become a vehicle to improve basic skills in an exciting, communal setting far from the stress and dullness of the everyday routine.
"Being on the horse is fun and they don't know they're working," Ms. Ciampini said. "These kids have time for themselves."
What separates Little Britches from other therapeutic programs is that families are not charged for the lessons. Instead, the organization asks for a $45 contribution to the cost of insurance for eight lessons.
"We feel that special needs families are stressed enough," Ms. Sieber said.
To cover the cost of horses' care requires fund-raisers, such as last year's wine tasting at Le Chateau in South Salem, N.Y., and this November's "Twilight Notes." Mr. Peterson's wife, Julia, is a volunteer with the organization and the couple has been longtime supporters. At Ms. Sieber's suggestion, Mr. Peterson agreed to revive some of his memorable performances with Ms. Mallory.
"There'll be some [songs] that the audience knows and some they don't," Mr. Peterson said, adding there will be one in particular that extols people taking care of people.
The two actors plan to reenact scenes from their famous duets in musicals such as "Follies," "A Little Night Music" and "West Side Story." The program will also be sprinkled with anecdotes about their experience working with the greats of Broadway's Golden Age. Mr. Peterson explained that as young actors, he and Ms. Mallory were extremely lucky to learn from composer Jerry Herman and director and choreograph Michael Bennett, among others.
"Our first big job and there was Leonard Bernstein at the piano," he recalled. "It was exciting for two kids who had just arrived in New York."
Mr. Peterson elaborated that the concert will have an educational tone as well, and that it is hoped to be inspiring young people to follow whatever dreams speak or, in this case, sing to them.
"Twilight Notes" starts at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at Canterbury School, located on Aspetuck Road in New Milford. Tickets are $50, or $100 for premium seats and a meet-and-greet with the actors after the show. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Ms. Ciampini at 203-982-4207, or by e-mail at asciampini@hotmail.com.
