On a stage, of course! You only have to watch the twenty-five year-old actor inhabit a character, take possession of a story, and let loose with his emotive voice to understand his assertion. Matt Farcher is currently poised to make his debut at Maine State Music Theatre on June 29 as Che in Andrew Lloyd-Webber-Tim Rice's epic musical Evita, but in the short time since he has performed professionally, he already boasts a resume replete with challenging and diverse leading roles and a career that has taken him off-Broadway and to leading regional theatres across America.
"When I called to do this job, I was shocked and terrified at first. It's such an iconic part," confides actress Kate Fahrner, who makes a double debut in Evita at Maine State Music Theatre on June 29, 2016. The three-week run marks the young and talented Broadway star's role debut as the mesmerizing Eva Peron, as well as her first MSMT appearance. And if this weren't enough of a challenge, she adds, she has a number of other exciting things happening in her life right now as well - foremost among them a one-year old daughter, who (with the help of family) has accompanied her to Maine for rehearsals.
Marc Robin and Samantha Hewes-Cramer bring the movie to life on the Fulton stage. Kevin Bacon may not be dancing through a warehouse, but there's still a lot going on, dancing and otherwise, in Bomont.
'Sometimes in this business, it can seem you work and work and you aren't seeing results right away. Then all at once, everything comes to fruition at once, and that is a major boost to our company morale. That's exactly what has happened this season for MSMT,' says Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark. 'Of our main stage productions, we have three that will be firsts!' Clark, who is joined by director Marc Robin, actors Liz Shivener and Mike Backes, is speaking to a Brunswick audience at Curtis Memorial Library on June 15, 2016, at the first of the season's Peek Behind the Curtain series, which is moderated by Broadway World's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold. He elaborates. 'This summer we will present the New England regional premiere of Mama Mia; we have extended our twelve-week season for the first time by co-producing with Portland Stage, The Irish and How They Got That Way, and together with the Fulton Theatre, we have created the East Coast Regional premiere of the new chamber music version of Ghost The Musical. It's been an extraordinary adventure!'
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.
'We do art because of what it does for us - how it transforms us,' actor Gregg Goodbrod states with quiet conviction. 'Being an actor helps me to understand other people and see their lives and my own from a different perspective. That's why doing a play like Ghost becomes a journey that really resonates for me.'
Goodbrod is speaking about his emotionally and physically demanding role as Sam Wheat in the new chamber version of the original 1990 movie and 2011 stage musical, which is currently playing at Maine State Music Theatre. He uses an example of the scene in which Sam, now a ghost, watches his beloved Molly sort through his belongs. 'I am really very Method as an actor, so I try to get into it completely and feel the actual feelings. And as I am watching Liz [Shivener] play this scene, it suddenly hits me that all these things are not what are important. If I were go, I know it is the love that I would miss. That's why I am an actor - so I can take these journeys and learn new lessons.'
Maine State Music Theatre's 2016 opening brought the East Coast premiere of
the stunning and soul-stirring new chamber version of Ghost The Musical, and the evening proved to be an extraordinary artistic event! Not only did this production represent an unique collaboration between director/choreographer Marc Robin and the musical's original creators, Bruce Joel Rubin, Glen Ballard, and Dave Stewart, but it offered Maine audiences the opportunity to savor the depth and range of this remarkable company's artistry. For the Ghost which was unveiled at Brunswick's Pickard Theater June 9 (a co-production of MSMT and Lancaster's Fulton Theatre) dazzles with the complexity of its score, the tenderness of its story, its symphonically perfect direction, splendid visual values, and by the deep identification of the cast with the material.
The 'nationally regarded' Maine State Music Theatre and Fulton Theatre present the exclusive premiere of the new chamber version of GHOST THE MUSICAL, beginning tonight, June 8 through June 25. BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek at highlights and behind the scenes below!
The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre presents the energetic Footloose: The Musical as its grand finale of the 2015/2016 season through July 17. The rousing and affecting production features a score that has transcended generations with Billboard-topping songs such as "Footloose," "Holding Out for a Hero," "Let's Hear It For The Boy," "Almost Paradise," and more!
Maine State Music Theatre and Fulton Theatre present the exclusive premiere of the new chamber version of GHOST THE MUSICAL, beginning tonight, June 8, and continuing through June 25.
'What they did is nothing short of miraculous! I know because I was there as a friend, a colleague, an artist. I was there in that room as the magic was happening!' Award-winning actress E. Faye Butler is speaking of the Fulton Theatre and Maine State Music Theatre, of her old friends from their Rockford, Illinois days, Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark, and of the entire creative team and cast of the new chamber music version of the musical Ghost in which she now stars. The Bruce Joel Rubin-Glen Ballard-Dave Stewart show which opens at Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick on Thursday, June 9, is a reprise (and New England premiere) of the newly minted chamber adaptation presented at Lancaster's Fulton Theatre on April 21, 2016, after a year-long development process.
One can feel the excitement and electricity in Butler's presence and her comments about this play with music which, she believes has given new life to both the original 1990 Jerry Zucker movie starring Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg and the 2011 stage version. 'E. Faye is a force of nature!' MSMT Managing Director Stephanie Dupal proclaimed when she saw her in the premiere.
'We are all Irish. Everyone loves the free, spirited, easy come-easy go air of the Irish, and this show makes everyone want to be Irish all the time - not just on St. Patrick's Day.' There is a twinkle in his eye, as Maine State Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Curt Dale Clark, utters those words. Immediately his sentiments are seconded by the show's director/choreographer, Marc Robin, and Portland Stage's Artistic Director, Anita Stewart, all three of whom will be joining forces to create Frank McCourt's play with music, The Irish and How They Got That Way, from August 16- September 4, 2016, at Portland Stage.
The 'nationally regarded' Maine State Music Theatre and Fulton Theatre present the exclusive premiere of the new chamber version of GHOST THE MUSICAL June 8 through June 25.
I recently had the pleasure of seeing my friend Gabrielle Dixon perform on the Fulton Stage in Ghost the Musical. Gabby and I have been in Hairspray before where she played Motormouth Maybelle, and I played Lil' Inez. It's always a joy and so much fun to support your friends in a show. In Ghost the Musical, the part of Oda Mae Brown (played in the movie by the famous comedian, Whoopi Goldberg) is portrayed brilliantly by E. Faye Butler. A few days ago, Ms. Butler's understudy, Janelle McDermoth who normally plays Clara, went on as Oda Mae which meant that my friend Gabby had the chance to play Clara, Oda Mae's sister.
One of the most loved films in history produced one of the most panned musicals around. The new, smaller version of the show is closer to the film and far easier to watch - and actually is worth watching
Tony Award nominated actor Tom Wopat (A Catered Affair, Annie Get Your Gun) will lead the cast for industry readings of AMERICAN INHERITANCE, a new play by Bob Stewart.
GHOST author Bruce Joel Rubin and director Marc Robin are unveiling a new, leaner, tighter version of GHOST: THE MUSICAL. They and leads Gregg Goodbrod and Liz Shivener speak out on re-recreating a classic story.
The 'nationally regarded' Fulton Theatre and Maine State Music Theatre present the exclusive premiere of the new chamber version of Ghost: The Musical through May 14 (Performances at Maine State Music Theatre are June 8 - June 25, 2016). The romantic and heart-wrenching story will feature a cast of 10, focusing on the central characters of the original story, with a 6 piece orchestra. New acoustic versions of the songs from the original Broadway production will include, 'Unchained Melody,' 'Here Right Now,' 'Suspend My Disbelief - I Had a Life,' and more! BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look below!
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