Charles Abbott Retires As Artistic Director of Maine State Music Theatre
By: Gabrielle Sierra Oct. 20, 2009
Charles Abbott has announced he will retire as Artistic Director of Maine State Music Theatre at the end of the 2010 season. Abbott will remain at the helm of the artistic team for the upcoming summer musicals and will step down in August of 2010. MSMT is planning to celebrate Abbott's career throughout the season in a variety of ways, but details about those events have not yet been finalized. Abbott made the announcement during a meeting of the Board of Directors, Board of Advisors and the annual staff of Maine State Music Theatre on Tuesday October 13th, 2009. "It has been my great honor to serve as Artistic Director, and I am looking forward to making my 20th year the most successful yet," stated Abbott during the meeting. At the time of his announcement, Abbott received accolades and a round of applause in appreciation for his talent and dedication to the organization. "MSMT has grown and flourished under Chuck's direction. We are thrilled to celebrate this 20th year with him and I personally am grateful for his example and partnership!" stated MSMT Executive Director, Steven Peterson.
Abbott began as Artistic Director of MSMT in 1991 after the death of founder Victoria Crandall. Prior to that appointment Abbott spent ten years associated with MSMT as a director, choreographer and performer. During his time as Artistic Director, Abbott has overseen more than 115 productions including main-stage musicals, concerts and special events. He has also occasionally taken to the stage and received public acclaim for his acting talents. Most recently Abbott starred as the ‘Man in Chair' in MSMT's production of "The Drowsy Chaperone." Some of his recent directing highlights include "Les Miserables," and "The Full Monty."
Abbott has an extensive national directing and acting career, one that includes three Broadway shows, four first national tours including over a thousand performances as the Emcee in "Cabaret," and regional theatres across the country. He has won multiple theatre awards in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Columbus and Atlanta, the latter while serving concurrently as Associate Artistic Director of the ALLIANCE THEATRE and Artistic Director of Atlanta Children's Theatre. Other major regional theatre credits include dozens of productions at Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, and at Houston's Theatre Under the Stars including the world premiere of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit's musical "Phantom!"
Upon stepping down as MSMT's Artistic Director, Abbott plans to continue directing and performing nationally and as a guest artist for MSMT. His planned retirement is from his appointment as Artistic Director only.
Due to financial constraints and the trend of many non-profit arts organizations to adopt a single executive leadership structure, MSMT will not be searching for a replacement for Abbott. The Board of Directors at MSMT has voted to eliminate the position as of Abbott's retirement in August. After careful consideration by the Board of Directors, the artistic responsibilities of Maine State Music Theatre will be transferred to Executive Director, Steven Peterson.
The 2010 season, celebrating Abbott's career, will include the titles "Always Patsy Cline," "My Fair Lady," "Chicago," and "Monty Python's Spamalot." A concert version of the acclaimed musical "Rent" is also in the works as well as children's musicals and other special concert events. Visit MSMT's website at www.msmt.org or call their Box Office at (207) 725-8769 for details concerning the upcoming season.
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