Curt Dale Clark News

'It's the heart that makes it fun! The adrenalin gets going; we are all so engrossed in each other with different stories developing every night. There are always discoveries being made. This show is an adventure every single night!' The speaker is actor-dancer Carson Twitchell, who is talking about Maine State Music Theatre's latest hit, the Patti Colombo staging of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which opened July 17th at the Pickard Theatre in Brunswick, Maine. Twitchell is part of a six-person panel assembled at the Curtis Memorial Library on July 23 for the third Peek Behind the Curtain talkback. Joined by Barbara Whidden, MSMT's Director of Development, Kristen Thomas, House Manager, Leo Stagg, Technical Director, and fellow actors (Ruth) and Merill West (Dorcas), the panelists spoke with BWW's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold about the thrill of this exuberant musical.

'I definitely have a choreographic style - much of what I do is ballet-based and athletic, but I was trained in the Jack Cole manner. My mentors, Ron Lewis, Ron Fields, were all Jack Cole people. I have a strong sense of jazz, true American jazz based in ballet.' The speaker is a petite, svelte, red-haired dynamo of energy and bubbly enthusiasm. Seated opposite me a few days before the opening of her latest theatrical endeavor, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Maine State Music Theatre, director-choreographer Patti Colombo talks about her Maine debut and her other award-winning theatrical projects - among them, On the Town, West Side Story, Mask, L'il Abner, Peter Pan, Seussical, which have taken her to Broadway and around the world.

Maine State Music Theatre presents the hit Broadway show Godspell for two shows only on July 28th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm.

Maine State Music Theatre hosted its second talkback in its series, 'A Peek Behind the Curtain,' on July 2, 2014, at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. The six-person panel moderated by BWW's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold, was comprised of Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark, Advisory Board and 'Angel' member Lee Gilman, Costume Rental Supervisor Amy Mussman, and actors James Patterson (Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain), Kathy Voytko (Fannie Chamberlain), and Sam Weber (Tom Chamberlain) explored the experience of creating the revival of Sarah Knapp and Steven M. Alper's musical, Chamberlain A Civil War Romance. The near-capacity crowd at the Morrell Reading Room was treated to a lively exchange among the panel members and audience, laced with the warmth, camaraderie, and obvious affection for the company and the work.

Maine State Music Theatre's second production of the season, a revival of the Knapp-Alper 1996 musical Chamberlain A Civil War Romance, proves to be a grand and glorious theatrical experience, an endeavor of epic proportions that delivers spectacle, emotion, and inspiration in equal measure. Spanning more than fifty years in the life of Brunswick's legendary Civil War hero, Maine governor, and Bowdoin college president, Joshua L. Chamberlain, and focusing on his relationship with his passionate, mercurial wife, Fannie Adams, the musical, in this brilliantly executed new production, directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, offers both epic sweep and touching intimacy. Large in musical and dramatic scale, lavish in production values, and cast with a first rate ensemble of singing-actors, Chamberlain dazzles the ear and eye and warms the heart.

Maine State Music Theatre's (MSMT) production of Chamberlain: A Civil War Romance brings the life of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain to the stage. The story centers on his relationship with his wife, Fannie, and explores the trials and tribulations of a man committed to his family as well as his country.

I sat there alone on the storied crest, till the sun went down as it did before over the misty hills, and the darkness crept up the slopes, till from all earthly sight I was buried as with those before. But oh, what radiant companionship rose around, what steadfast ranks of power, what bearing of heroic souls. Oh, the glory that beamed through those days and nights. Nobody will ever know it here! - I am sorry most of all for that! The proud young valor that rose above the mortal, and then at last was mortal after all.... When she read these lines written by Civil War hero and Maine Legend Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain more than eighteen years ago, lyricist/ book writer Sarah Knapp became convinced that she and her husband composer Steven M. Alper had to write their 'memory play.' The musical, commissioned by Charles Abbott, then Artistic Director of Maine State Music Theatre, became one of the greatest successes in the company's history, selling out before it even opened - ('it was the only show where they were scalping tickets on the lawn,' Knapp recalls). Now almost two decades later, Chamberlain A Civil War Romance will receive its first new production since that world premiere in 1996, once again at the Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick, the hometown of Chamberlain and his wife Fannie. Speaking with the composer and writer just days before the opening, they shared their palpable excitement at the prospect of this revival.

On June 13, 2014, Maine State Music Theatre inaugurated the first of a new series of talkbacks, called 'A Peek Behind the Curtain,' designed to share with its audiences the ingredients which go into putting together a successful theatre season. Broadway World local editor, Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold, was invited to interview a panel comprised of actors, creative and administrative team members from their current show, The Buddy Holly Story, after which the floor was opened to the audience for questions. The event, held at the Curtis Memorial Library, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, and the exchange was informative, entertaining, and in many ways, an inspiring tribute to the work the company does and to the theatrical profession these artists hold dear. The panelists were Stephanie Dupal. MSMT Managing Director, Kyle Melton, Props Master, Matthew J. Riordan, who plays Niki Sullivan and Tommy Allsup; Lore Eure who portrays Vi Petty, and Chari Burdick, Secretary of the MSMT Angels, a volunteer support group for the theatre.

Maine State Music Theatre's (MSMT) production of Chamberlain: A Civil War Romance brings the life of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain to the stage. The story centers on his relationship with his wife, Fannie, and explores the trials and tribulations of a man committed to his family as well as his country.

Over fifty years ago, a 'kid with glasses' from Lubbock, Texas, changed the face of popular music forever. Buddy Holly's meteoric rise to stardom was cut short when, at the age of just 22, he died tragically in a plane crash.

Maine State Music Theatre's 2014 season will explode on stage on June 4th. While season tickets have been and remain currently available, single tickets to individual shows are on sale, April 30th starting at 9:00 am. Many shows will sell out, so call to get your tickets today. Tickets will be available online at www.msmt.org, over the phone by calling (207) 725-8769, or in person by visiting the Box Office located at 22 Elm Street in Brunswick. Starting May 27th the Box Office will be located in the Pickard Theatre for the duration of the season.

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:

The new musical play by Artistic Director Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark is funny, family-friendly... and a tribute to Fulton staff as well

Marc Robin's edits improve, though they can't perfect, the Broadway musical that tinkers with millions of childhood memories

Get your family into the holiday spirit at the Fulton Theatre! The Fulton opens Twas the Night before Christmas, on the main stage as the first production in the 2013-2014 Eichmann Family Theatre Series on November 30, 2013.

Broadway audiences were awed as the 'practically perfect' nanny soared off the stage and into their hearts. Central Pennsylvania theatergoers will experience the same excitement as Fulton Theatre brings one of the most popular Disney movies to life with an all-new live musical production of Mary Poppins running November 19 - December 29, 2013.

Following an outstanding season, Maine State Music Theatre is pleased to announce new leadership for the 56-year-old organization.

There's an old saying in theatre: "There are no small roles, just small actors". Despite her featured role as Tessie Tura in GYPSY at Maine State Music Theatre, her talent and impressive resume prove that she is no "small" actress. From understudying Patti LuPone in the original Broadway production of Evita, success in films and sitcoms, to becoming an MSMT favorite, it is clear to see why as soon as you see her on stage. Though, the audiences at MSMT might have a hard time convincing her that Brunswick's crowds are bigger fans than she is of the midcoast town.