Donna Drak News

Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Maine Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

The theatrical scene continued to be lively in Maine this year, with the Portland-area theatres presenting a number of stunning world premieres and the musical theatre scene gloriously vibrant. These are my personal choices of the best in Maine, grouped by theatre company and show: Because their repertoires are so vastly different, and because both companies produced outstanding seasons, my vote for highest honors goes to both Maine State Music Theatre and the Good Theater.

Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Maine Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

As they continue through the Fall and Upcoming Winter months, Long Island's own Oogee Wawa - the reggae-rock/hip-hop freight train that barreled its way to the top

On November 16, 2015, at the Annual Membership Meeting in New York City, SDC announced the results of the 2015 Executive Board Elections.

As they continue through the Fall and Upcoming Winter months, Long Island's own Oogee Wawa - the reggae-rock/hip-hop freight train that barreled its way to the top

Each year some two dozen young theatre professionals make their way to Brunswick, Maine, to take part in a dynamic summer program that is both educational and experiential. They come to fill performance, production, and administrative internships at one of New England's leading regional theatres. Maine State Music Theatre is an Equity summer company with more than a half century of storied history of bringing first-class Broadway shows to midcoast Maine and beyond. And at the heart of this ensemble are the talented, aspiring, and inspiring young actors and technicians who come to learn, to absorb, and to contribute to the magic of their chosen profession.

When the all-male musical foursome Well-Strung released their new video 'Chelsea's Mom' on YouTube just over a week ago, the resulting chain of events was something that not even the most powerful entertainment moguls could have engineered, let alone an indie pop-classical singing string quartet.

Every night for the next three weeks Trista Dollison dons a nun's habit and lights up the stage of Brunswick's Maine State Music Theatre with her sassy, soulful, exuberant portrayal of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act - the cabaret singer who teaches the joy of music to a sleepy convent of Philadelphia nuns. It's a part she seems born to play and one which reflects her overall love of singing. 'It's a great role, hands down!' she enthuses in the last days of rehearsal before the June 25th opening. 'I had seen the show on Broadway twice and auditioned more than twice, so I am delighted to be here doing it now. It is one of those shows that rides on your back. She has such great songs and is in every scene. She is such a fierce and fabulous character! I love the fact that she starts off in a selfish world and evolves into being the hope for these sisters, and the sisters become the hope for her. The journey within the show is so beautiful: she realizes she is helping the nuns, and they realize they are helping her. She awakens something that is lost in the convent - a passion and joy.'

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.

When it comes to either their signature pop-classical mashups - or their politics for that matter - Well-Strung, The Singing String Quartet, wears its heart on its sleeve. For the first single from their upcoming new album titled 'POPssical', due out in early October, the group debuts their new music video 'Chelsea's Mom' today on YouTube. The video is Well-Strung's inventive take on the Fountains of Wayne hit 'Stacy's Mom', reimagined as a tribute to 2016 Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The musical arrangement for strings is by Well-Strung with lyrics by Well-Strung, Jeffery Roberson & Jacques Lamarre. The video was filmed by Blake Drummond, edited by Randy Rainbow and was produced by Mark Cortale, Matt Farber and Well-Strung.

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.

In a lively, funny, often piquant conversation cast and creative team members from Maine State Music Theatre's The Full Monty convened on June 10 to talk with Broadway World in the first of this summer's highly successful talkback series, A Peek Behind the Curtain. The audience was delighted to have the opportunity to meet director, Donna Drake, stars Peter Matthew Smith, Amanda Rose, MSMT Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark and Outreach Sales Manager Katie White. The discussion focused on the show's appeal, its message, and, of course, on the show stopping strip finale.

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.

?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.

Well-Strung, The Singing String Quartet, have just announced that they will return to New York with their latest production, 'POPssical' tonight, May 28 at 6:30 PM for one show only, at the new venue URBO, located at 11 Times Square, at 42nd St. & 8th Avenue.

?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