Eric Berry News

The hallways are jammed with bright, expectant, luminous faces wearing their most eye-catching outfits, laden with dance bags, juggling binders with music and resumes, scanning their ever present iPhones, and searching for a place to sit or stretch or warm-up as they await the call. The energy is palpable and the spirits high. Many have come together in groups and chat excitedly, while others search for a quiet corner to gather their thoughts. Some 300 actors ranging in age from children to seasoned adults have checked into Maine State Music Theatre's offices and rehearsal studios at 22 Elm Street on February 25, 2017, to try their luck at the company's annual open call local auditions for the 2017 season which opens June 7.

The only network with two primetime NFL packages, NBC continues its coverage of Today Night Football this Today, December 8, with an AFC West first-place showdown, when Derek Carr and the AFC-leading Oakland Raiders (10-2) host Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. ET with Football Night in Kansas City on NBC.

The only network with two primetime NFL packages, NBC continues its coverage of Thursday Night Football this Thursday, December 8, with an AFC West first-place showdown, when Derek Carr and the AFC-leading Oakland Raiders (10-2) host Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. ET with Football Night in Kansas City on NBC.

In the modern age of social media, technological advancement in communication, and engineering developments for transport, the ability to connect across borders and boundaries into new countries and cultures is easier than ever. Conversely, forces of xenophobia, warfare and politics have strengthened these invisible divisive lines to give them more potency than before. In Australia, a land that has long been left to its own devices - though not without its own issues of the ripple effects of colonialism and immigration - we cannot always relate to this suffering experienced by war-torn nations caught in the crossfire of occupations and civil conflict. The Cartographer's Curse, the premiere production of the Arabic Theatre Company in partnership with National Theatre of Parramatta, maps out the domestic and public disharmony created by treating nations like playthings to be tug-of-war toyed with between power-hungry empires. It is wonderful to see emerging artists tell these stories to educate us, and done with respect to the ongoing trauma in our own country by inviting an Acknowledgement of Country to commence the performance.

Portland Players opened its 86th season with an intense production of the Ivan Menchell-Don Black-Frank Wildhorn musical, Bonnie and Clyde, about the legendary Depression-era American outlaws. The 2009 musical theatre retelling of the short and violent lives of this pair, who robbed banks and left scores of dead victims in their wake as they evaded the law in a misguided quest for notoriety, puts a romantic spin on their legend at the same time that it does not side step the grittier aspects of this tale.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) has announced the winners of the 2016 Princess Grace Awards.  The Annual Gala will continue the legacy of Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco, who helped emerging artists pursue their artistic goals during Her lifetime.  In total, the Foundation is awarding over $1 million to artists in theater, dance, and film.   In the presence of Their Serene Highnesses The Prince and The Princess of Monaco, this year's Gala will be held at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 24, 2016.  The evening will be co-chaired by Lisa and Richard Plepler, Sidney and Katia Toledano, and Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel. Major Gala supporters include: Christian Dior Couture, as Presenting Sponsor and Mrs. Lily Safra as Crown Sponsor.

The biggest stars from the worlds of sports and entertainment gathered at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday night to celebrate the best sports moments of the year at “The 2016 ESPYS Presented by Capital One.”

The eight new plays in development at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference will feature Broadway actress Ali Stroker (Spring Awakening the Deaf West Broadway revival, The GLEE Project), Drama Desk Award-nominee Margo Seibert (ROCKY on Broadway), television's Jeremy Bobb (The Knick, House of Cards, Hostages), Luke Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters, Mercy Street), and Melanie Nicholls King (The Wire).

Casting and directors have been announced for the eight new plays in development at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference next month.

Maine State Music Theatre continues its impressive 2016 lineup of shows with two performances on June 20, 2016, of A Grand Night for Singing, a musical revue conceived by Walter Bobbie to showcase the glorious songs of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Directed and choreographed by Curt Dale Clark with tap choreography by Raymond Marc Dumont, the revue features a sixteen-member cast of young professionals drawn from the intern company and local Maine performers, who turn in a performance that offers not only grand singing and dancing, but also speaks to the huge reservoirs of talent that MSMT is proud to possess. The original 1993 twenty-seven song revue skillfully weaves together a wide range of Rodgers and Hammerstein's works in arrangements by Fred Wells (and lovely orchestrations by Michael Gibson and Jonathan Tunick) from both their smash hits like Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, The King and I, and Cinderella, as well as gems from lesser-known shows like Allegro, State Fair, Flower Drum Song, and Pipe Dream. Patrick Fanning serves as MSMT's Music Director, conducting the wealth of melodic material with elan, delicious detail, and nuance and eliciting from the young cast lyrical and idiomatic renditions of beloved sings such as 'We Kiss in a Shadow,' 'Maria,' 'If I Loved You,' and 'This Nearly Was Mine' or upbeat numbers like 'Honey Bun' and 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!' The dynamically staged and imaginatively choreographed production by MSMT's Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark - with a dazzling, intricate tap number created by Raymond Marc Dumont for 'Kansas City' - is brimming with class, warmth, and humor. Clark inspires the cast to bring to their music and vignettes an infectious and embracing energy, an eloquence of emotion spiced with mischievous moments. His pacing is brisk, and he effectively builds a lively sense of character and communication among the cast members, who share their enthusiasm with the public, even interacting on several occasions with the audience in the house. By retooling the contexts of many of the songs, he is able to add a contemporary and universal touch to their appeal. Most of all, he helps these young artists find and share the timeless heart in this treasure trove of American musical theatre. Using the bare bones of the Ghost set makes for a minimal but attractive decor. The characterful casual and subsequently elegantly formal costumes by Travis S. Grant are carefully chosen for their complementary pastel hues; the kinetic lighting by Heather Reynolds and a well-balanced sound design by Nate Dickson contribute to making this revue offers a feast for eyes and ears. Working seamlessly as an ensemble, the youthful cast gives their all both in the big production numbers and in focused solos, amply illustrating the meaning of the musical theatre term 'triple threat.' They sing beautifully; they dance with technical aplomb, and they act with irresistible charm. Moreover, each and every one of them knows how to interpret a song - to make it more than a lyrical moment. Each has several occasions to shine, and Clark and Dumont have skillfully mined their individual strengths. Among the many highlights are a perky rendition of 'Surrey with the Fringe on Top' (Eric Berry-Sandelin, Katie Whittemore, Cameron Wright, Rachel Grindle, Hugh Cipparone, Berkley Jones), inspired vocal interpretations of 'If I Loved You (Jennifer Kennedy), 'It Might As Well Be Spring' (Berkely Jones)'This Nearly Was Mine,'(Matthew LaBerge), a smoldering account of 'Maria' (Alex Drost), a romantic 'We Kiss in a Shadow' (Giovanni DiGabrieli), a winsome 'All At Once' (Marty Lauter, Cipparone), and a single verse in 'Love Look Away' to bring tears to the eyes (Lauter), a feisty 'Stepsisters' Lament,' (Ali Sarnacchiaro, Haley Ostir, Megan Flynn), a spirited 'I Can't Say No' (Molly Keane-Dreyer, Kennedy), and a witty 'The Gentleman Is A Dope' (Alex Drost, Kyle Laing, Ostir, DiGabrieli, Lauter). The numerous ensemble numbers are enhanced by the strong camaraderie and chemistry among the players, making for some memorable comic and romantic moments such as the women's septet in sunny 'Wash That Man' and the men's octet in a plaintive 'Love Look Away.' The choreography is expressive, lyrical, and catchy by turns - ranging from ballet and modern to jazz and tap - with such numbers as the sweeping polka of 'Shall We Dance?' or the dueling tap in 'Kansas City' garnering special attention. Special mention to Berkely Jones, Marty Lauter, and Kyle Laing for their dance solos and impressive technique. To spend an evening with these magnificent Rodgers and Hammerstein classics makes it impossible not to take away a renewed appreciation for their geniuses and a love of their legacy. But A Grand Night for Singing does something else as well. It proves to be one more piece of evidence that MSMT is truly, as its catchphrase promises, 'Bringing Broadway to Brunswick.' Photos courtesy of MSMT, Roger S.Duncan, potographer Evita which begins on June 29 - July 16 at the Pickard Theater, 1 Bath Rd., Brunswick, ME, on Monday, June 20 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For tickets call box office at 207-725-8769 or visit online at www.msmt.org

Robin and Clark's musical theatre version of Jack and the Beanstalk, which plays three performances this week at MSMT's Pickard Theater, is a colorful, clever, catchy retelling of a familiar story designed to enchant the entire family. Directed/choreographed by Curt Dale Clark, cast with an ensemble of energetic young actors, and staged in a striking visual production, this delightful fairytale creates magic for all.

Maine State Music Theatre presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING appearing on the Pickard stage for one day only: Monday, June 20, 2016 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM. Taste and imagination, the two key ingredients for a first-rate revue, abound in this fresh take on the Rodgers & Hammerstein canon. This revue, with innovative musical arrangements including a sultry Andrews Sisters-esque 'I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair,' a swingin' 'Honeybun' worthy of the Modernaires, and a jazzy 'Kansas City', leaves no question about how terrifically up to date the remarkable songs of R&H remain.

Today in 1977, Pippin closed at the Minskoff Theatre, after having played 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

Maine State Music Theatre presents JACK AND THE BEANSTALK appearing on the Pickard stage Wednesday, June 15, 2015 at 10 AM and 1 PM, and a special showing on Saturday, June 18 at 11:00 AM. Children of all ages are welcome at MSMT's Theatre for Young Audience shows.

Award-winning actress and singer Dianne Dixon has joined a stellar lineup of actors from across the Caribbean for the Braata Productions Caribbean Playreading Series, to be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC) in Queens, New York, from April 22- 24.

The USM Department of Theatre and the USM School of Music present the Maine premiere of REEFER MADNESS The Musical, based on a book by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, with music by Dan Studney and lyrics by Kevin Murphy. The show runs from Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 20, with 7:30 p.m. performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. performances on Wednesday and Sunday. All performances take place on the Main Stage at Russell Hall, on the USM Gorham campus.

BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and Knight Blanc present Actors Theatre's original production of THE GLORY OF THE WORLD by Charles Mee in its New York Premiere.

Today in 1972, Pippin opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and Knight Blanc will present Actors Theatre's original production of The Glory of The World by Charles Mee in its New York Premiere, Actors Theatre's Artistic Director Les Waters and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein announced today.