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The musical was written and composed by Zoe Vandermeer of Gaylordsville, who has been the church's musical director and organist since October.
The cast of Upon A Time will include several singers from New York City (Karen Jolicoeur, Lars Woodul, Ruth Ann Cunningham, Madeline Abel-Kerns and Brian Kerns) and from Connecticut (Haley Latorre, 8, of Simsbury; Kelly Whitesell, 12, of Hebron; Courtney Brock of Hartford and Marinne Dibble of Hartford) as well as Ms. Vandermeer, an established coloratura soprano who plays the harp as well, and Tim Wallace of Torrington, pianist/conductor.
She is thrilled that Steven M. Crawford, former "maestro" for nine years on the conducting staff of the Metropolitan Opera, will be conducting the musical, which has been compared to "Phantom of the Opera," "Into the Woods," "Narnia," and "Grimm's Fairy Tales."
"Upon a Time" tells the story of a young boy in search of a golden key, which would enable him to rescue Serafina from a cruel king, who is holding her captive in his palace.
"Intense and chilling opera meets pop rock, with classical, baroque and even renaissance threads woven throughout this highly orchestral collection of songs that tell of much more than a boy who enters the Forbidden Forest in search of the Golden Key," according to Jenn B., a radio host on KGPR in Montana.
"I'm pleased to have it performed in a benefit for the church," said Ms. Vandermeer. "It has been trying to raise money to restore its historic windows for quite some time.
The "shelf life" of pre-modern leaded glass windows is considered 100 years, according to Mark Tomascak of Dragonfly Studios in New Milford, who previously restored windows in the church.
The windows were created by Edward Colgate of New York 126 years ago.
According to a press release, the main window of the nave is in five panels. The center panel displays a pelican with her young: the oldest symbol of charity. On each side are the symbols of faith and hope, shown by an anchor and a cross. At the base of the center window is the lamb, at the top, the crown. In the side windows are the symbols of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The chancel window is in three panels, and is a memorial to Miss Cornelia Boardman, who donated the land for this church. The central panel depicts the Ascension and the side windows show the Angels of the Resurrection.
"I replaced the windows in the bell tower last year," Mr. Tomascak said, "and was surprised that, for their age, they have stood up amazingly well. But the lead was softening, which means the glass could have fallen out and hurt someone."
Over the years, the lead that joins the individual glass pieces deteriorates, he pointed out.
Mr. Tomascak gave a presentation at the church after services last Sunday to let parishioners know about the current proposal, which would address the five-panel windows at the front and the three-panel windows at the back of the church, along with any others that needed restoration.
Tickets for the benefit concert are $15 for general admission and $10 for senior citizens; children age 12 and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Tickets are available in advance, at the door, and soon, online at www.stjohnsepiscopalchurch-newmilford.org.
