Dale Clark

Review: MSMT'S THE LITTLE MERMAID: A Timeless Tale of Love & Redemption
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 20, 2026

Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark‘s musical theatre adaptation of The Little Mermaid, a tale of love and redemption, sings with a fresh, modern spirit at Maine State Music Theatre’s Family Series.

MSMT Hosts Second PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 3, 2026

Despite the heat, a large audience gathered at Curtis Memnorial Library on July 1 to enjoy a conversation with four of the stars of MSMT’s smash hit, 1776, now playing at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick through July 11. The panel, moderated by Broadway World’s Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold, featured MSMT Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark (Richard Henry Lee), James Patterson (John Adams), Alicia Kaori (Abigail Adams), and David Girolmo (John Hancock). The discussion focused on the unique aspects of the Sherman Edwards/Peter Stone musical, the historical context for this “play with music,” the struggles of the Founding Fathers to achieve the goal of independence, and the complex relationships among the characters. The afternoon concluded with some fun in a lightning round, followed by questions from the floor.

1776, COME FROM AWAY & More Lead Maine Theatre Summer Picks
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 30, 2026

Though for many residents and folks from away, summer in Maine signifies a chance to revel in gorgeous scenery - beaches, lakes, trails – summer is also time to enjoy two of Maine’s premiere regional companies, Maine State Music Theatre and Ogunquit Playhouse.(see Dan Marois’ review below)  This year the lineups at both companies are stellar, but my critic’s pick for 2026 are two productions at Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick:  the musical 1776 (now playing through July 11) and COME FROM AWAY scheduled for August 5-22 at the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College.

Review: THE LABORS OF LIBERTY: MSMT'S 1776 CHRONICLES THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 26, 2026

What better way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence than by mounting a stirring production of the musical 1776. That is just what Maine State Music Theatre has chosen to do – the only regional company in Maine to receive the rights at present - for the Sherman Edwards 1969 show that delivers a witty, riveting, deeply human and affecting account of our Founding Fathers. Directed by Amber Mak and featuring stunning cast of twenty-eight, MSMT‘s production is one of those artistic events audiences cannot afford to miss.

Interview: MSMT Launches Twelfth Season of PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 11, 2026

Maine State Music Theatre launched the twelfth season of its popular panel discussion series, Peek Behind the Curtain, with a spirited conversation about the theatre’s current production, HAIRSPRAY. A large crowd was on hand at the Curtis Memorial Library on June 10 to listen to two of the show’s stars, CHARIS LEOS (Prudy Pingleton, Matron, Gym Teacher) and Tarra Conner Jones (Motormouth Maybelle)  together with Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark and BWW moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold.

Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL at Maine State Music Theater
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 8, 2026

A giant green man with a booming brogue, a talking donkey, a wooden boy with a long nose, a wolf in  granny skirts…. These are the loveable misfits who commandeer MSMT’s stage in the Jeannine Tesori- David Lindsay-Abaire classic SHREK  THE MUSICAL that runs for four delightful performances at the Pickard Theater on June 8. The musical,based on the DreamWorks original movie, features witty lyrics, catchy tunes, and a heartwarming story, about acceptance, individuality, and inclusion.

Review: The Music Makers & Dreamers of Dreams
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 30, 2025

That MSMT chose to create this their co-production with Lewiston‘s Public Theatre is perhaps no surprise since every mounting of this play has met with huge public success.

Video: WEST SIDE STORY at Maine State Music Theatre First Look
by Joshua Wright - Aug 19, 2025

Get a first look at Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT)'s production of one of the most celebrated musicals in American theatre history - West Side Story, running August 6–23 at the Pickard Theater.

The Public Theatre and Maine State Music Theatre Present: THE IRISH…AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 16, 2025

This unique collaboration brings together the best of both companies, celebrating the resilience, humor, and enduring spirit of the Irish people in a heartwarming production that will leave audiences clapping, laughing, and singing along. Almost 3,500 tickets have already been sold and matinees are filling up quickly.

Interview: A Once in Forever Collaboration: MSMT Panel Discusses WEST SIDE STORY
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 14, 2025

MSMT’s Peek Behind the Curtain drew its largest audience of the summer for its last program on August 13, 2025, which was devoted to the theatre’s revival of WEST SIDE STORY, the final main stage production which has won widespread critical acclaim and is drawing sold out houses at the Pickard Theater. The panel consisted of Kelly Liz Bolick (SINGIN’IN THE RAIN,WIZARD OF OZ JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT), who plays Velma and serves as Dance Captain, and Austin Nedrow (THE FULL MONTY, NEWSIES), who portrays Baby John, together with MSMT Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark, who has played Tony in some 250 performances in his career, and BWW moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold. Held at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, the conversation addressed such topics as the timeless nature and groundbreaking elements of  WEST SIDE STORY; the production’s new Marc Robin choreography; short rehearsal process; the visual elements of the show; and the impact of this inspiring, even “life-changing” work.

Review: Huge Turnout Celebrates MSMT's Annual Concert on the Mall
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 13, 2025

On August 13, a clear, warm summer evening, thousands filled the grassy downtown Brunswick Mall to enjoy a free evening of music performed by the stars of MSMT. The annual event, presented in collaboration with the Brunswick Downtown Association’s Music on the Mall series has grown in size since its inception eight years ago and continues to hold the record for the best attended outdoor event in the community. And the crowds come with good reason. It is an opportunity to hear the MSMT performers regale the audience with repertoire from musical theatre and popular covers, backed by an excellent five-piece band led by Music Director Jacob Stebly.

Interview: Fifty Years An Actor: The Remarkable Stage Career of Ed Romanoff
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 2, 2025

“I haven’t stopped acting since I started fifty years ago, and West Side Story will be my return to Maine State Music Theatre after fourteen years,” notes Ed Romanoff.

BWW Q&A: Lauren Maria Medina on WEST SIDE STORY at Maine State Music Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Jul 31, 2025

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is proud to conclude its 2025 mainstage season with one of the most celebrated musicals in American theatre history - West Side Story, running August 6–23 at the Pickard Theater.

Interview: All the Colors of True Love: A Conversation with Coleman Cummings
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 29, 2025

“The role requires quite a range of acting; it calls for all the colors of true love, as well as grief, anger frustration, the whole spectrum playing out in the two-day time period of the show. And Bernstein’s score is groundbreaking. It’s full of so many colors that accurately express the emotions and subtexts of all the characters through these little motifs.  It stands alone; it’s unique in style.” Actor Coleman Cummings is musing on the challenge he is undertaking in making his role debut as Tony in Maine State Music Theatre’s WEST SIDE STORY, which runs from August 6-23, 2025 at Brunswick’s Pickard Theater. For Cummings, this will be his second appearance with the company, having portrayed Dimitry in ANASTASIA earlier in the season.

Interview: PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN Examines the World of FOOTLOOSE
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 24, 2025

MSMT continued its 11th season of the popular series, Peek Behind the Curtain, on July 23, 2025, presenting a panel consisting of two of MSMT’s favorite artists, Charis Leos (GYPSY, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, HELLO, DOLLY!) and David Girolmo (WAR PAINT & CANDIDE on Broadway, TITANIC, TREASURE ISLAND, HELLO, DOLLY!), together with MSMT Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark and BWW moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold. Held at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, the event drew its customary enthusiastic crowd. Among the topics addressed in the conversation were FOOTLOOSE as a reflection of the 1980s, the creative team of E. Faye Butler (director) and Tyler Hanes (choreographer), the setting of FOOTLOOSE in the fictional town of Bomont, Oklahoma, and the meaning of dance as self-expression and liberation in the musical.

Review: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Robin & Clark's SNOW WHITE with Some Twists
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 21, 2025

Magic mirrors, an evil stepmother, forest creatures who sing and chatter prettily- all familiar fairytale tropes – but then add an empowered maiden, a narcissistic prince, and seven “dwarfs,” who are actually icons of ancient wisdom and culture, and you have a new, delightful musical version of the Brothers’ Grimm tale of Snow White created by Marc Robin & Curt Dale Clark for audiences young and young at heart.  MSMT’s new production sparkles with wit, energy, and visual splendor, featuring a first-rate cast of young professional performers who bring this tale to life with new meaning.

WEST SIDE STORY & More Lead BroadwayWorld's Maine Summer 2025 Theater Picks
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 15, 2025

Maine State Music Theatre packs a great deal of excellence and excitement into its 14 weeks season, but for this critic, the most anticipated production for 2025 is WEST SIDE STORY. Directed/ choreographed by the inexhaustibly inventive Marc Robin, the Bernstein Sondheim classic is one of the most perfect stage works ever created.

Interview: MSMT Panel Celebrates the Comedy of TOOTSIE
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 6, 2025

MSMT’s second Peek Behind the Curtain panel gathered on July 2, 2025, at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick to discuss the phenomenon of the theatre’s second main stage show this season, the hilarious and touching comedy, TOOTSIE. Participating in the hour-long conversation were stars of the production, together with MSMT Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark and BWW moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold.

A FORTY SECOND STREET STORY: The Extraordinary Career of Kevin Stites
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 14, 2025

As soon as the orchestra launches into the opening bars of Maine State Music Theatre’s current production of Anastasia, there is a frisson of electricity that runs through the house.

Interview: MSMT Panel Explores ANASTASIA and the World of the Romanovs
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 12, 2025

MSMT resumed its 11th season of the popular series, Peek Behind the Curtain, on June 11, 2025, presenting a panel of stars from the current production of ANASTASIA together with MSMT Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark and BWW moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold. Held at  Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, the event drew through an enthusiastic crowd. Among the panelists were a Mary Ernster (Broadway WAR PAINT, THE NOTEBOOK, Winner 2 Jeff Awards), who portrays the Dowager Empress; Amanda Rose (Broadway MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, WICKED, National Tours of OKLAHOMA, WICKED,HOLIDAY INN), who plays Countess Lily; and Christopher Page-Sanders (THE FROGS, THE WIZ, DREAMGIRLS), who serves as Associate Choreographer and Dance Captain of the show.