Ridgefield Playhosue to Celebrate FANTASIA's 75th Anniversary, 11/10

The magical animated classic Fantasia is turning 75! Throughout history, there have been only a handful of groundbreaking films where the soundtrack has become inextricably linked to the cinematic achievement of the film itself. There is perhaps no greater example of this marriage than Walt Disney's 1940 masterpiece, Fantasia. Now, you can see and hear Fantasia as never before in this newly remastered 75th Anniversary film in High Definition that will bring the Disney magic thundering to life on the big screen on Tuesday, November 10 at 7pm at The Ridgefield Playhouse. This special 75th Anniversary cinema event will include an exclusive bonus featurette before the film, featuring a newly-recorded introduction and performance by The Philadelphia Orchestra, playing a selection of pieces from Fantasia. And as if that weren't enough spectacle, conductor Yannik Nezet-Sequin will lead an up-close-and-personal discussion about the history of former Philadelphia Orchestra conductor Leopold Stokowski (who originally conducted several pieces for the film), Fantasia, and the indelible imprint both left on the modern symphonic world. According to the studio's archives: Fantasia, an unprecedented and magnificent feast of music and animated images, was initially released by the Studio in 1940 as a "road show" release. The following year, at the 14th Annual Academy Awards, Fantasia earned two Special Awards. The first was given to Walt Disney and associates for their outstanding contribution to the advancement of the use of sound in motion pictures, and the second to conductor Leopold Stokowski and his team. Considered avant-garde during its time, Fantasia has GONE on to become one of the most popular movies of all time and today is considered a classic. In 1990, the film was selected for PRESERVATION in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally significant."

For tickets ($15), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org . The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.