Charis Leos News

In the first act of the Menken/Slater/Steinkellner musical comedy, Sister Act, the heroine, Sister Mary Clarence (aka Deloris Van Cartier) tells Mother Superior that song should come from the soul to raise the rafters. Maine State Music Theatre's second season offering does just that with a dazzling production and a cast whose talent is, indeed, cause for celebration!

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is proud to be one of the first regional theatres to present the feel-amazing musical comedy smash SISTER ACT, running tonight, June 24 - July 11, 2015.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is proud to be one of the first regional theatres to present the feel-amazing musical comedy smash SISTER ACT, running June 24 - July 11, 2015.

Musical theatre actress Amanda Rose has been living her dream since her graduation from Charleston College over a decade ago; she has been performing steadily on Broadway, on tour, and in regional theatres across the country. Now based in New York City, she, nonetheless, understands that an actress' life is peripatetic and unpredictable, and she relishes the new experiences that come with her journey.

The Full Monty, which opened Maine State Music Theatre's fifty-seventh season, has all the makings of a new hit for the company! The rollicking, sometimes raucous story of unemployed Buffalo steel workers who create a male strip act to make money has characters to embrace and identify with, clever and provocative dance numbers, music which underscores advances the dramatic development of the script, and one of the most anticipated final numbers in all of Broadway musicals. In addition, at MSMT in a shared production with Lancaster's Fulton Theatre, the David Yazbek -Terrence McNally show is blessed with a stunning ensemble and witty, heartfelt direction and choreography by Donna Drake.

?Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) kicks off the 2015 season with the heartwarming upbeat comedy THE FULL MONTY. This 10-time Tony Award-nominee is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies and a raucous mix of razor-sharp humor and toe-tapping pizazz, not to mention the most highly anticipated closing number in Broadway history! THE FULL MONTY runs tonight, June 3 - June 20, 2015.

?Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) kicks off the 2015 season with the heartwarming upbeat comedy THE FULL MONTY. This 10-time Tony Award-nominee is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies and a raucous mix of razor-sharp humor and toe-tapping pizazz, not to mention the most highly anticipated closing number in Broadway history! THE FULL MONTY runs June 3 - June 20, 2015.

Donna Drake and a terrific cast tell the story of six men's journey to self-discovery

Maine State Music Theatre Finds Its Talent for Summer 2015 When the audience thinks of casting for a Broadway musical, they conjure up the image of a darkened auditorium, an artist onstage peering into the glare and hearing Zach's voice from out of the void with its curt dismissal, 'Thank you.' Since its smash opening on Broadway in 1975 A Chorus Line has come to embody in poetic terms the uphill struggles of countless artists who toil every day on stage and off in pursuit of the metier they love. The rituals of auditioning and casting calls are integral to the life of an actor or theatre director, and each year they are played out in countless theatres large and small across the country, a crucial part of the puzzle that goes into shaping a successful season.

Agatha Christie fans, rejoice. Everyone else rejoice, too. Marc Robin's new production of the Christie classic is absolutely worth it.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents the disguise surprise musical comedy production of Victor/Victoria tonight, September 16 - 28 at The Hobby Center's Sarofim Hall.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents the disguise surprise musical comedy production of Victor/Victoria September 16 - 28 at The Hobby Center's Sarofim Hall.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT)'s 2014 season is 'still rockin' with their remarkable season closing production of the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, running August 6 - 23. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Early in the first act of the Tom Snow - Dean Pitchford 1998 musical Footloose, Ren declares his passion for dancing - 'I can't sit still' - and, indeed, by the end of the evening at the Pickard Theatre, the audience for Maine State Music Theatre echoes his mantra. They are cheering, swaying, and shouting to the music, and embracing the exuberant, touching message of this show. Directed and choreographed brilliantly by Patti Colombo (assisted by Karl Warden) and performed by a dynamic cast, this fourth and final production of MSMT's 2014 season dazzles and delights.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT)'s 2014 season is 'still rockin' with their remarkable season closing production of the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, running today, August 6 - 23.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT)'s 2014 season is 'still rockin' with their remarkable season closing production of the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, beginning tonight, August 6, and continuing through August 23.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT)'s 2014 season is 'still rockin' with their remarkable season closing production of the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, running August 6 - 23.

I have seen the movie version of The Spitfire Grill on multiple occasions. I had taken a liking to it for a couple different reasons. The movie was set in Gilead, Maine, which I grew up about 20 minutes from. The film was shot on locations near where I currently live and where I attended college. At the time it was a big deal and many locals where cast as extras. Now almost 20 years later, I had the opportunity to view the adapted musical version at Northern Stage in White River Junction, Vermont. If I may be so blunt, you must see this show.

Despite its location far, far north, and its relatively sparse population compared to cultural capitals, Maine boasts a rich regional theatre climate. There are quite a few thriving, adventurous, permanent professional companies, as well as an excellent contingent of community theatres. This year offered a wealth of exciting choices. Here is my personal list for 2013, grouped by theatre company and show:

Broadway veterans Heidi Blickenstaff and Aaron Ramey, and Emmy Award Winner and Tony Nominee Gordon Clapp are among this year's Vermont BroadwayWorld Award nominees. Shows from a large cross-section of professional, semi-professional, and community theater groups are also represented in the 2012-2013 nominations. Let's take a look at some of the Vermont theater companies with BroadwayWorld Award Nominations: