Area Arts

Hot Jazz for the cold winter!

It's back to school for the spring semester -- at the University of Southern Maine School of Music that means, back to the concert hall!
Outstanding jazz pianist Benny Green, will be the featured artist during a special Jazz Improvisation Weekend for high school jazz musicians in January. The weekend is organized by the director of jazz studies at USM, Chris Oberholtzer.

On Saturday and Sunday, January 21 & 22, 2006, the USM/ Bank of America Youth Ensembles program will present two days of clinics and rehearsals, plus a master class and a finale concert. Students will learn jazz techniques and have the chance to study and perform with professional jazz artists.

The public is welcome to two events. Jazz pianist, Benny Green, will give a master class at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, in Corthell Concert Hall on the USM Gorham campus. That evening at 7 p.m. he will be the featured performer in a concert that will include students and faculty. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $3 for seniors and students. Call the Music Box Officer at 780-5555 for reservations and more information.
The youth ensemble program and this weekend are sponsored by Bank of America.

The Public Theatre Voted Best Theatre Company For The Third Time

The Public Theatre, Lewiston-Auburn's Professional Theatre, was recently voted "Best Theatre Company" in the 2005 Portland Phoenix Readers' Poll. This is the third time in the past five years that this honor has gone to The Public Theatre.

Currently in its 15th season The Public Theatre's remarkable growth continues. Attendance so far this year is averaging nearly 95%. The theatre's Capital Campaign has raised over $1,000,000 of its $2.4 million goal. The first two phases of renovation, including a two-story addition, new restrooms and a breathtaking new lobby are already completed. If all goes as planned the rest of the project, which includes total renovation of the auditorium, stage, shops, dressing rooms and exterior, will be finished in about two years.

The Public Theatre is one of five Equity theatres in Maine and boasts the lowest ticket prices for any Equity theatre in the state. Hiring only professional actors, mostly from New York, Los Angeles and Boston, TPT presents a wide selection of first-rate professional performances from October through May. For more information about The Public Theatre, or ticket information a about the upcoming production of the Maine premiere of the delightful Off-Broadway comedy Bad Dates, call the box office at 207-782-3200 or visit their website at www.thepublictheatre.org.

Community Little Theatre's "Proof"

"Proof" centers on Catherine, (Ellen Peters, pictured right) a troubled young woman who has sacrificed her own college education to care for her mentally ill father, Robert (Mark Hazard), a professor and mathematical genius. On the eve of her 25th birthday, Catherine must deal with the arrival of her estranged sister Claire (Liz Rollins, pictured left) and the attentions of Hal (John Blanchette), a former student of her father's who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks Robert left behind. It soon becomes evident that Catherine may have inherited her father's genius, his illness, or both.

Linda Britt is director for this production, assisted by Jason Pelletier. Other crew members consist of: Marissa Jalbert, stage manager, assisted by Adam Blais; Josie Baum, Publicity; Ellen Peters, costumes; Liz Rollins, Producer; Bill Hamilton, set design.

The show will take place January 13-22. This production does contain Adult Language. Tickets are available by calling the box office at Great Falls Performing Arts Center 783-0958 or accessing the theater's website at laCLT.com. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for Senior Citizens and full time Students.

"Lewiston, A New Home" in Concert

The Franco-American Heritage Center on Cedar Street in Lewiston will present "Lewiston, A New Home in Concert," on January 13th and 14th at 7:30 PM, and January 15th at 2 p.m. This concert version of the award-winning musical produced in 1995, celebrating Lewiston's Bicentennial, returns with song, charm and history which delighted sold-out audiences in its theatrical version.Right, Richard Martin

In 1995, local producers, writers and musicians created 'Lewiston- A New Home', winner of the New England Theatre Conference award for best play, to commemorate Lewiston's Bicentennial celebration. The book was written by new playwrights Michael Rosenthal, Richard Martin and Lynne Geiger. And for the music and lyrics, the writers favored the musical talent of lyricist, Paul Caron, who lived in the area of 'Little Canada', where the story's perspective is set. Within the historical context of the play written, the story of Madeleine and Donovan is revealed and thrust into those 'bustling' days of the late 1800's.

Sponsored by Androscoggin Savings Bank, 'Lewiston - A New Home' will be presented in a concert format for all who did not have the opportunity to experience its first edition. And for many who've seen the original, but awaited its anniversary edition, can experience the telling of Lewiston's story again. The concert can also be an educational opportunity for all students who have an interest in history, and in particular, the history of Lewiston. Directed by Richard Martin with vocal direction by Paul Caron, this anniversary presentation will include the 'New Home Singers' and The Colin Britt Orchestra. To enhance the live performance, an audio/visual presentation will include a photographic history of Lewiston with excerpts of 'New Home', its 1995 theatrical version.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 or at the door for $12 at Androscoggin Savings Bank locations; Hannaford Supermarkets in Lewiston and Auburn; or Victor News on Park Street in Lewiston. For more information and credit card sales, call 783-1585, or visit our website at www.francoamericanheritage.org.

Theater Project Nears Fund Drive Goal

The Theater Project announced today that it is closing in on the $20,000 goal of its annual fund drive, with a current total of almost $19,000.
The Theater received a challenge grant of $1,000, payable if they received ten donations of $100 or more before the New Year. According to Theater Manager Joanna Patterson, the challenge was met, and the grant awarded. The Theater Project's work in the community includes productions and classes at The Theater Project, collaborations with Spindleworks and with The Center Stage Players at People Plus, and work in the schools. The Theater Project is a non profit corporation, and all contributions are tax deductible. For more information, contact Joanna at The Theater Project, 14 School Street, Brunswick, 729-8584.

Locals to compete in International competition

There will be a birthday party/fundraiser at the Lake Region Eagles in Windham, ME on Saturday January 21st for Teresa Seavey. There will be an open mic and items will be auctioned and/or raffled to help fund her upcoming trip to Tennessee where she and her sister, Pattie Jean will be competing in the North American Country Music Association International's annual competition. For more information or directions please call 776-3562.

Will you be my Valentine?

The Pine Tree State Country Music Association will be hosting a Valentine's Show/Dance at the Lake Region Eagles in Windham, Maine on Sunday February 12th from 1 to 5 p.m. Featured artists will be Slim Andrews and The Cumberland Valley Boys, Janet Wentworth, Russ Connell, Pard, and Bobby Lee and the Kountry Knights. There will be a cash bar and raffles. Suggested donation - members and seniors - $6 non-members - $7. FMI - contact Joan - 490-1232, Mary - 247-4611, or Russ - 542-3093. Check out the website at http://www.ptscountrymusicassoc.org

Got talent?

The Pine Tree State Country Music Association, Inc. will be holding their Seventh Annual Talent Search and Competition (bands, singers, duets, songwriters, instrumentalists - traditional and modern categories - adults, seniors or youth) March 5th and 19th at The Roost on Chicoppee Rd., W. Buxton, Maine. Deadline for entries - Feb. 25th, 2006. For entries and/or more information call: Joan - 490-1232, Russ Connell - 542-3093, Mary Hamilton - 247-4611, or Bonnie Edgecomb - 642-2734. E-mail joancole@cyberwc.net, telecast@midcoast.com, or kwazywabit@pivot.net

The magic of musical theater
"By Rodgers!" at USM

The legacy of one of America's greatest musical theater dynasties, the Rodgers family, will be the focus of the innovative, original revue, "By Rodgers!" conceived and directed by Edward Reichert. (These performances were originally scheduled in November. A third performance will be held in January in the Augusta area. Details TBA.)

"By Rodgers!" will feature the talented musical theater students at the University of Southern Maine. Performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday, January 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, January 29, 2006, in Corthell Concert Hall on the USM Gorham campus. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for seniors and USM faculty/staff; and $5 for all students. Call the Music Box Office at 780-5555 for reservations.

Above, Performers: Alexis Handy of Lewiston, Derrick Jaques of Windham, and Sara Johnson-Berz of Limestone.

Looking for a ticket to The Public Theatre's Father/Daughter Valentine Ball?

Tickets for Lewiston/Auburn's ORIGINAL and BEST Valentine Ball, to be held at Ramada Inn on Sat, Feb 4th from 7-9pm, are currently on sale! The Public Theatre's Father/Daughter Valentine Ball is a special Fundraising Event created by The Public Theatre and a highlight of the Lewiston/Auburn social season for the past ten years!

Each year fathers and their daughters are treated to a special evening of dancing and dressing up. Girls from 4-12 years old are sure to treasure this special time with their fathers. Throughout the evening, cookies and punch will be served and music will be provided by a DJ, and every girl will receive a souvenir to take home.

This year The Public Theatre Valentine Ball will be held at the Ramada Inn on Feb 4th from 7-9pm. Tickets for one father and daughter couple are $35, with each additional daughter $10 each. Wrist corsages for the young girls are also available for $5 each.

This event has sold out every year for the past ten years - so don't delay in getting your ticket order in TODAY! Order forms can be downloaded off The Public Theatre website at www.thepublictheatre.org, or by calling 782-2211. Order forms are processed in the order they are received. Any payments received after the ball is sold out will be returned.

The Theater Project Announces Winter/Spring Class Schedule

After an energetic fall season, The Theater Project is back in the new year with a schedule of classes for children of all ages.

Young actors in grades 3-5 can join teacher Lee K. Paige for a production class called "Jack & Jill and the Beanstalk", which will run January 9 - February 18, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. These young actors will work up a new take on a traditional story with director-teacher Lee K. Paige, and produce the show at The Theater Project on February 17 and 18. The fee for this class is $300.

Then it's "Time to Tell Tales" with Al Miller. First and second graders will take short tales, easy tales to wag, and create one small piece of theater after another, and show some of their work at the end of the last class. This class runs Wednesdays from January 11 through February 15, from 4 to 5 p.m., with a class fee of $60.

In "Solutions to Pollution", running March 7 through April 11, every Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m., actors in grades 3-5 will consider the ways we pollute the planet and then consider some solutions, real and fantastical. They will put the two together and create some imaginative and entertaining theater pieces around a social issue that affects us all, with teacher Keith Anctil. The fee for this class is $85.

Next up, a Production Class for actors in grades 6-8. Actors will work with the story "Arnold Archeopteryx and the Way the World Began" to develop an original production they will perform three times at the end of the five week class. The archaeopteryx was the first bird. We'll meet Arnold, the first of his feathered flock, and fly through some paleontology with him in this original production with singing dinosaurs. Watch out, Steven Spielberg! The class begins March 13 and runs through April 15. Actors meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m with teacher Al Miller. The class fee is $250. Performances will be at The Theater Project on April 14 and 15.

The last class of the fall season will be "Daily Adventures". What happened today? Yesterday? Last week? What adventures did you have, real or imaginary? That's the dramatic material for teacher Lee K. Paige and her young actors in grades 1 & 2 to work with. They'll be figuring out how to bring it to life on stage. The class will meet 4:- 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays from April 25 through May 30, with a class fee of $60.

For registration and information, contact Joanna at 729-8584, or drop by the box office at 14 School Street in Brunswick.

Moments of Grace Art Opening

February 10, 2006, 6 p.m - 8 p.m, showing through March at Jacob's Chiropractic Acupuncture, 138 St. John Street, Portland, Maine.
Drawings and watercolors of dancers, musicians, and others by artist-educator of Young at Art, Judy C. Faust. Proceeds will support the artist's next project about a remarkable Austrian church's efforts to reconcile with Holocaust survivors from their hometown. Photographs and a video will be shown. Light Refreshments. Call 774-6251 or 799-4715 for more info.