The mission of the Falls Village Children’s Theater Company is to provide opportunities for all members of the Falls Village community to participate in a variety of activities associated with the performing arts. We foster a sense of creative discipline, promote the pride of accomplishment, and engender a life-long love of learning in an environment where the arts are experienced as something pliable, accessible, and available to everyone.
Lanny Mitchell is a veteran to the theater world and has appeared in many on and off-Broadway shows, and in numerous touring companies. Some of his credits include Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Curtis in “Dream Girls,” and Walter Lee in “Raisin, The Musical.” As a dancer he has appeared in several productions such as “The Wiz,” “Sophisticated Ladies” and “Dancing” (choreographed by Bob Fosse). He was also a featured dancer in “Fame” (the TV series) for over two seasons. He has written and directed several of his own pieces. “A Tragedy in South Central” was featured as a workshop production at the Nyurican Poets Café’ in New York City and is in pre-production. Lanny has directed and choreographed several productions at the Sherman Playhouse: “West Side Story;” “The Show, A Musical Review;” “Big, The Musical;” “Company;” “A Chorus Line;” “Foot Loose;” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown;” and “Bugsy Malone.” Lanny has taught theatre and dance in New York City, the Brookfield Performing Arts Center and at Tri-Arts. Lanny currently teaches theater and dance for the Falls Village Children's Theatre Company and will be the artistic director for the FVCT summer camps and shows. In 2005, Lanny directed and choreographed the FVCT production of "The Wizard of Oz."
Joshua Stone has composed and conducted original music for ensembles from Africa, Asia, South America and Falls Village. His music for film & television has been broadcast throughout the world.
Mr. Stone’s clients include: 20th Century Fox, The Smithsonian Institution, CBS News, MTV Networks, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, A&E Biography, The White House, HBO, Discovery, MoMA, Independence Hall…
Joshua arranges and conducts music for The Village Voices, a multi-generational vocal ensemble, which is made possible by the support of the FVCT. Recently, he was awarded a 2007 Artist Fellowship Grant by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
Training: Boston Symphony Orchestra, Max Roach, Stephen Sondheim, the Manhattan School of Music and the International Folk Festival in Llangollen, Wales.
Merits include: NATAS Emmy Award, American Film Institute Award, New York Film Festival, Prix Jeunesse, Cine Golden Eagle, Ohio State Award, Chris Award, Du Film Pour L'Art, Ollie Award. In 2005 Joshua was the musical director and arranger for the FVCT production of "The Wizard of Oz."
Lanny Mitchell
Joshua Stone
Donald Sosin and Joanna Deaton
Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton were the music directors for the FVCT production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR. They met in a theater production in NYC in 1980, and have spent much of their time since then coaching children in schools, workshops, and theatrical productions. In 1995-6 the couple toured the US for fourteen months with the Broadway company of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, training over 1000 children in 24 cities to sing, dance and act. Members of the Performing Artists roster of the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism, they have taught songwriting and film music workshops for 20 years and have written for theater, television, radio, video, the concert hall and for worship.They have scored more than 30 silent films for DVD release, and write about music for the Lakeville Journal. Website: newmoviemusic.com.
Donald studied composition at the University of Michigan and Columbia and played on Broadway in the 70's and 80's. He is considered one of the foremost silent film pianists in the world, and performs with Joanna at major film festivals (NY, Seattle, Bologna, Virginia) and landmark venues like MoMA, the National Gallery, BAM and Lincoln Center. His music has been heard on PBS, TCM, and as background for soaps on the major networks. 2010 performances include festivals in NYC, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, Germany, Italy and China.
Joanna, a native of Manhattan, was an Ivory Soap Baby, and has a degree in theatre arts from Cornell University. She has played principal roles in dozens of shows Off-Broadway, in stock and regional theatres, including the Kennedy Center. She has appeared twice in concert with jazz great Dick Hyman. The New York Times praised her "silvery soprano." She is the vocal director at the Indian Mountain School.
Donald and Joanna live in Lakeville with their son Nicholas, and four cats.
