a?oeHELLO, DOLLY! is the classic American musical,a?? affirms its star Charis Leos. And her colleagues and cast mates on the panel, Lauren Blackman, Matt Gibson, and Jason E. Simon, enthusiastically concur. Not only does it have a perfect score, a heartwarming book, colorful characters, and a healthy dose of irresistible comedy, but it is also infused with some messages of lasting significance. It is these takeaway meanings that these cast members are eager to discuss with BWW's Maine editor Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold at MSMT's PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN on July 24 at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick.
Just as Dolly Gallagher Levi makes a stunning entrance to the unforgettable strains of her signature song, so MSMT's new production of the Jerry Herman classic HELLO, DOLLY! takes command of the Pickard stage with a joie de vivre and heartwarming tenderness and delivers an evening sparkling with laughter, love, and life. In a production directed by Donna Drake, choreographed by Rhonda Miller and performed by an ensemble of true stars, HELLO, DOLLY! offers the audience a magnificently memorable score, daring and dazzling dancing, and a cast of embraceable characters whose story unfailingly tugs at the heartstrings.
"My favorite line in musical theatre history is the one where Irene says, 'Dolly, the world is full of wonderful things!' When I said it in rehearsal the first time to Charis [Leos], I broke down in tears. It's a thought I repeat to myself if I am down. Irene is saying, 'Take risks, go enjoy this wonderful world!'"
Actress Lauren Blackman is talking enthusiastically about her upcoming portrayal of Irene Malloy in Maine State Music Theatre's new production of HELLO, DOLLY!, which runs July 17 - August 3, 2019, at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. Blackman returns not only to a beloved role, but also to friends and a theatre company and community she calls "home." Last season, she appeared briefly in the gala 60th Anniversary Concert, but it has been almost four years since she graced the stage in a major role - last in 2015 as Marion in THE MUSIC MAN and before that in 2013 in MARY POPPINS. Those intervening years have, indeed, been fruitful ones for Blackman - filled with all kinds of wonderful things!
The Broadway-hopeful production of Cagney, based on the life of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' star Academy Award winner James Cagney, has completed its casting and returns to the stage, opening Pioneer Theatre Company's (PTC) season this fall.
Robbins's choreography was athletic and imaginative. His incorporation of unusual props like briefcases and swim flippers made the dance numbers highly memorable and very enjoyable.
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning play wright Tennessee Williams, take a look through the fading memory books of Tom's fractured life in The Glass Menagerie. Living with his controlling mother and introverted sister Laura, who lives in her own world of make believe, Tom struggles as the pillar of his family. As the memories are revealed, Tom and his mother Amanda, wish for nothing more than for Laura to find a loving husband. When Tom sets up a blind date for his sister with his coworker from the shoe warehouse, Amanda's obsession and frustration is pushed to new extremes, while Laura is left vulnerable and exposed like her glass figurines.
It is the winter doldrums here in North Country, but what better way to combat those blues than to take in an entertaining, moving, or inspiring evening at one of Maine's fine theatre companies? And if not in winter, why not plan ahead by subscribing to some of these companies or buying seats for one of the many exciting upcoming events for 2019?
To assist you in your planning, BWW offers these picks of the ten productions and company repertoire to which we look forward most.
The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre is proud to present the 2018/2019 Eichmann Family Series Holiday production, A Christmas Carol, December 1 through 30, 2018. Created by Lancaster's own Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark, this Fulton Holiday classic is full of love, laughter, and a heartwarming message for audiences both young and young at heart!
The historic Fulton Theatre is tapping in the holiday season with a signature Fulton dance extravaganza! The glitz, glamour, and the 'Lullaby of Broadway,' 42nd Street. This classic Broadway Music is bursting with show-stopping number after show-stopping number including memorable Broadway standards such as 'We're In the Money,' 'About a Quarter to Nine,' 'Shuffle Off to Buffalo,' and the title song 'Forty-Second Street'! 42nd Street at the Fulton will excite your senses and energize your spirits for the holidays!
The historic Fulton Theatre is tapping in the holiday season with a signature Fulton dance extravaganza! The glitz, glamour, and the 'Lullaby of Broadway,' 42nd Street. This classic Broadway Music is bursting with show-stopping number after show-stopping number including memorable Broadway standards such as 'We're In the Money,' 'About a Quarter to Nine,' 'Shuffle Off to Buffalo,' and the title song 'Forty-Second Street'! 42nd Street at the Fulton will excite your senses and energize your spirits for the holidays!
The historic Fulton Theatre is tapping in the holiday season with a signature Fulton dance extravaganza! The glitz, glamour, and the 'Lullaby of Broadway,' 42nd Street. This classic Broadway Music is bursting with show-stopping number after show-stopping number including memorable Broadway standards such as 'We're In the Money,' 'About a Quarter to Nine,' 'Shuffle Off to Buffalo,' and the title song 'Forty-Second Street'! 42nd Street at the Fulton will excite your senses and energize your spirits for the holidays!
The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre is proud to present the 2018/2019 Eichmann Family Series Holiday production, A Christmas Carol, December 1 through 30, 2018. Created by Lancaster's own Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark, this Fulton Holiday classic is full of love, laughter, and a heartwarming message for audiences both young and young at heart!
Lancaster City was hit with a record setting, half foot of snow earlier in the day. While dozens of other local businesses closed early. Marc Robbin and his team made the call to heed the show's advice, faced adversity, and put on one Hell of an opening night!
The historic Fulton Theatre is tapping in the holiday season with a signature Fulton dance extravaganza! The glitz, glamour, and the "Lullaby of Broadway," 42nd Street. This classic Broadway Music is bursting with show-stopping number after show-stopping number including memorable Broadway standards such as "We're In the Money," "About a Quarter to Nine," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," and the title song "Forty-Second Street"! 42nd Street at the Fulton will excite your senses and energize your spirits for the holidays!
In the midst of what has proved to be an extraordinary week for the company, Maine State Music Theatre fans turned out in a capacity crowd at the Curtis Memorial Library's final Peek Behind the Curtain panel to celebrate the concluding events of this Diamond Jubilee season. In the Brunswick season's penultimate week, MSMT presented nine performances of its smash hit, Singin' in the Rain, as well as two sold-out gala 60th anniversary concerts and a free Concert on the Mall that drew close to 2500 people. The panel, moderated by BWW's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold, featured Nicolas Dromard, Kate Fahrner, Brian Shepard, and Kim Sava, the stars of the production, two returning stars closely associated with MSMT's history, Sue Cella and K.K. Preece, as well as Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark. The resulting discussion, which focused on the joyful new staging by Marc Robin of Singin' in the Rain and the special anniversary events, was filled with warmth, laughter, and substance.
As part of Maine State Music Theatre's 60th Anniversary season, and as a thank to you the community that has supported it, the theatre will present a free concert - in collaboration with Brunswick Downtown Association - on the Brunswick Mall today, August 15 at 5:30 PM.
Anniversaries are times to reflect, to evaluate, but also to celebrate. Yesterday with its 60 Years of Musical Theatre: The Best of Maine State Music Theatre gala concert, the Brunswick theatre pulled out all the stops with a big, beautiful Diamond Jubilee gala that proved a stunning culmination to this milestone season. And indeed, six decades after Victoria Crandall launched her dream at the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus, MSMT can boast numerous reasons to celebrate its history, as well as its present accomplishments and future aspirations.
In a matinee and evening stagings that featured musical performances by twenty-one soloists and an ensemble of ten, as well a number of spoken tributes, Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark architected a program that was classy, heartfelt, and rich and deep in the talent it showcased. As with any commemorative event, the program tapped into nostalgia and memory but blended these with a strong sense of the vigorous, energetic, imposing presence this company has become - not only in Midcoast Maine but also as a force in national regional theatre.
