HEARTWOOD THEATER - SERIOUS ABOUT COMEDY

Engaged to be married – and engaged in this murderously funny plot, are Chris Davis (top) and Nancy-Grace Dersham (bottom) in Heartwood’s seriously funny classic comedy, “Arsenic & Old Lace,” opening May 2nd in Newcastle.  Visit heartwoodtheater.org for full details and visual preview. Photo Credit: Marti Stone Photography.

The undeniable, lovable Brewster Sisters (Nancy Durgin –
left & Suzanne Rankin – right),
managing their insanely lovable nephew, Teddy,
who believes he is President Roosevelt.
Visit heartwoodtheater.org for full details on
“Arsenic & Old Lace,” running May 2nd – 10th.
Photo Credit: Marti Stone Photography.

Newcastle, Maine - The stage is set for rollicking fun.  Tight comedy and high energy awaits, as Heartwood Theater opens the classic favorite by Joseph Kesselring, “Arsenic & Old Lace,” running May 2nd thru May 10th, in Newcastle.  For a sneak preview of photos and cast snippets, visit Heartwood’s website at www.heartwoodtheater.org

Technically speaking, audiences will enjoy a smooth cocktail of theatrical elements: a lovely set and delightful period costumes and props, infused with artistic lighting - perfect elements for this top notch cast, led by the well intentioned, murdering spinster duo, Suzanne Rankin and Nancy Durgin.

Capturing the essence of comic schtick, “Arsenic & Old Lace” whips up a lethally funny blend of intellectual, verbal and physical humor (think TV era comedians Lucy Arnez, Dick Van Dyke and Carol Burnett).  Madcap, zany and fast-paced – it’s seriously funny.

Begin with an enduring, classic comedy, mix it with the lightness of springtime and the universal human desire for laughter, and serve it up with Heartwood’s serious approach to a tightly wrapped

SUMMER THEATER CAMP AT HEARTWOOD

Newcastle, Maine - Open to students entering grades 3-12, Heartwood presents its 12th season of summer camp training, made possible in part by Heartwood Season Sponsor, Bath Savings Institution, and Season Youth Sponsor, Damariscotta Hardware.  Two simultaneous 8-day intensive training sessions will run from June 30 through July 10, in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy.

Returning to Heartwood this summer are four great instructors, training students in a wide array of performance skills.  Alison Machaiek, drama teacher and award winning director from Oceanside High School in Rockland, directs the younger student camp and leads improvisation workshops for the older group; Mark Bedell, certified fight master and professional stuntman / fight choreographer, teaches hand to hand combat and sword-play for both levels of students; Karen Montanaro, mime/dance artist and teacher leads workshops for both levels in mime, movement, dance and graphics; and Griff Braley, drama teacher, award winning director and Artistic Director at Heartwood directs the older students in acting.

The focus of summer training is aimed at building students’ skills, preparing them to perform in productions throughout the school year and increasing their confidence, both onstage and off.  A final showcase performance is scheduled for July 10th.

A full description with schedule and pricing information is available at Heartwood:  website at heartwoodtheater.org; email info@heartwoodtheater.org; or phone 563-1373.  Limited scholarships are available, thanks to scholarship sponsors: Bath Savings Institution, Cheney Insurance and Newcastle Square Realty.

HEARTWOOD’S “JIM CULLEN” – THEATRICAL ELEMENTS IN PLACE

Newcastle, Maine - Opening July 19th as a Heartwood premiere, “The Legend of Jim Cullen” embodies the mission, spirit and quality for which Heartwood has striven, during its first ten years.  In this ensemble production, performers and audiences alike will share in an artistic experience which challenges the human spirit.

Artistic expression, in the theatrical realm, begins with a metamorphosis of the performance space, itself.  To that end, the Poe Theater has once more been completely transformed, using a full array of production elements which capture the essence of this story.

Director Griff Braley and Tech Director Letitia Munson agree, “The knowledge and understanding of what works in this particular theater space has accumulated over the years.  Achieving total production impact demands commitment not only to script and music, but to all of the production elements available to us.”

Set, lights, projections, props, costumes and smoothly executed set changes are threads which must be skillfully woven into a seamless production.  When entering the world of Jim Cullen, the blending of these production qualities washes over the audience, transporting them back, back, back …

From a bare, black stage, has risen a set constructed of beams, barrels and burlap, accentuated with birch trees and authentic pieces of history, from long forgotten hooks and piles, in barns along the Midcoast.  Lights of every color – spots, gobos and washes – illuminate each moment, each scene.   Computer manipulated projections enhance the atmosphere, offering visual insights to this legend from Northern Maine, 1873.

And then – there is music.  Original, authentic pieces lift and tell the story, from traditional Canadian and Eastern folk music to edgy new folk sounds, male acapella, an Irish jig, art songs and choral pieces.  Ned Steinberger electric stringed instruments, an old harmonium, acoustic guitars, banjo, cajon, and numerous found objects – all blend together in this organic mix of voice and sound.

“The Legend of Jim Cullen” is a summertime combo package of history, music and storytelling, delivered by a talented, committed cast from around the country.  Celebrate the opening of this premiere on opening night, as show co-sponsor First Advisors hosts a reception immediately follow the July 19th performance.  Make your reservations now, and discover this old legend, told anew.

The bold choice to create original theater is one distinguishing characteristic of Heartwood.   Individual donations help make this possible.  To make a donation or to learn more about this project, visit Heartwood's Rockethub fundraising portal.   Google “Rockethub” and search “Heartwood.”  For fun – visit Jim Cullen’s facebook page and see how Jim feels about the show!

“The Legend of Jim Cullen” is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation, along with sponsorships from Bath Savings Institution, First Advisors, and the Newcastle Publick House.

Performances will appear in the Parker B. Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, on July 19 & 20, 26 & 27, Aug 1-3 at 7:30pm.  One matinee performance will take place on Sunday, July 28th at 3pm.  Tickets are $20 adults / $12 students.  Reservations strongly recommended at boxoffice@heartwoodtheater.org OR 207.563.1373.   General info at www.heartwoodtheater.org.

HEARTWOOD’S “JIM CULLEN” – AN ORIGINAL

Newcastle, Maine - Every young’un growing up in Aroostook County learns the story of Jim Cullen. The events of 1873 happened in their neck of the woods.  It’s part of their history.  It’s legend.  And it’s coming “downstate” to the Midcoast on July 19th, when Heartwood Theater premieres “The Legend of Jim Cullen.”

Forty some years ago, on a rainy day in Mapleton, Maine, when Director Griff Braley was 6 years old and left behind by older brothers to spend the afternoon with his grandmother, he first heard this scary tale.  Well, legends grow and so do little boys. Written by Braley, “The Legend of Jim Cullen” is a culmination of history, music, storytelling, movement and artistry.  And it is rich with collaborators, musicians and actors.

Karen Montanaro, mime/ballerina/movement coach and long time friend and associate of Heartwood, spent a week in the Poe Theater with the cast and musicians, developing movement scenes with Braley.  From the whimsical movements of a blackbird on pointe (Tyla Collier) to barn building and log rolling scenes, Karen’s experience and years of teaching her special blend of dance and mime lead the cast deeper into their imagination, as they corporately devised this brand new piece.  The result will be more of what Heartwood audiences expect: engaging, creative and dramatic theater.

The process of devising original work, particularly a piece so densely filled with music and movement, is very unique.  It’s not like showing up on day one of rehearsal with lines and music learned, knowing the characters, exactly what the play should look like, where the music comes in and how it should sound.

The spirit of ensemble and collaboration is essential, as actors and musicians willingly take risks, experimenting, evaluating, refining and even occasionally discarding.  “We go in with an idea … but only through doing, can we know.  This process requires openness on everyone’s part,” notes Braley.  “The work is the thing that drives us, unites us and sends us home with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.”

With the support of individual donors and foundations, Heartwood continues to create unique theater.  (You won’t see this one anywhere else in Maine, this summer!)  You can play a role in this production, by becoming an online collaborator through Heartwood's Rockethub fundraising portal.   Google “Rockethub” and search “Heartwood.”  Visit this site for frequent photo updates, too.

“The Legend of Jim Cullen” is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation, along with sponsorships from Bath Savings Institution, First Advisors, and the Newcastle Publick House.

Performances will appear in the Parker B. Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, on July 19 & 20, 26 & 27, Aug 1-3 at 7:30pm.  One matinee performance will take place on Sunday, July 28th at 3pm.  Tickets are $20 adults / $12 students.  Reservations strongly recommended at boxoffice@heartwoodtheater.org OR 207.563.1373.

“Godspell” Heats Up At Heartwood

Damariscotta, Maine - Temperatures may be plummeting outdoors, but things are just heating up in the Poe Theater, as Heartwood and Lincoln Academy’s collaborative youth production of the Broadway musical, Godspell, races toward opening night, Oct 19th.   The well known and loved tunes and parables based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew have once again found their voice in a young and enthusiastic cast, under the direction of Griff Braley and Beth Preston.  A rock band led by none other than Sean Fleming has inspired this cast and will leave your toes tapping, if not outright dancing.  And not to disappoint … there will be tech to enchant, under the direction of Letitia Munson.

As NY critic Roma Torre writes of the 2011 Broadway Revival, “Godspell turns out to be a 40-year-old relic that's surprisingly irresistible.” Begun as a college project, the musical conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, moved to an off-Broadway debut in 1970 and has since been a favorite in professional revivals, colleges, and high schools.

Generous funding for Godspell is provided by Chesterfield Associates of Westport Island, Heartwood’s Season Sponsor - Bath Savings Institution, Season Youth Sponsor - Damariscotta Hardware, and anonymous foundations.

Music, story-telling, improvisation, and fun await you in this production suitable for a family night out.  Reserve now, and why not take advantage of the delicious culinary opportunities awaiting you, with Heartwood’s Dinner Partners: Salt Bay Café, Le Garage, Newcastle Publick House, Best Thai, Savory Maine, and King Eider’s Pub.

Evening performances in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy take place on October 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 at 7:30 pm, with two 3:00 Sunday matinees on October 21 and 28.  Tickets are $8 for students thru high school, $16 for adults.  Seating is general, unless specially requested in advance.  Reservations: 563-1373 or boxoffice@heartwoodtheater.org.  For directions and details, visit www.heartwoodtheater.org.  Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).

Heartwood Theater and Lincoln Academy Present Annual Youth Production

Damariscotta, Maine - Collaborating with Lincoln Academy on extraordinary youth productions has been a Heartwood tradition for many years.  “Combining personnel and financial resources from both entities provides the maximum opportunity for Midcoast students,” says Heartwood Board President, Pam Gormley.  This year’s joint efforts will be showcased in the popular Broadway musical, Godspell.  Brimming with toe-tappingly infectious tunes based on parables from the Gospel According to St. Matthew, this show opens October 19th under the direction of Griff Braley, Lincoln Academy Drama Teacher and Heartwood’s Artistic Director, and vocal director, Beth Preston.

Can this enthusiastic cast of student actors and musicians bring these well loved tunes and parables to life once more?  “Absolutely,” says Braley, who participated in Godspell as a Medomak Valley High School student, in 1975.  “The experience is certainly much different 30-some years later, but this material definitely stands the test of time.”   As NY critic Roma Torre writes of the 2011 Broadway Revival, “Godspell turns out to be a 40-year-old relic that's surprisingly irresistible.”

Begun as a college project, the musical conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, moved to an off-Broadway debut in 1970 and has since been a favorite in professional revivals, colleges, and high schools.

Given the complex and expensive nature of these annual collaborative youth productions, students benefit greatly from Midcoast businesses, individuals, and foundations who believe in the value of performing arts in the lives of youth.  Generous funding for Godspell is provided by Chesterfield Associates of Westport Island, Heartwood’s Season Sponsor - Bath Savings Institution, Season Youth Sponsor - Damariscotta Hardware, and anonymous foundations.

For an uplifting, upbeat evening of musical, magical performance, improvisation and fun, reserve your tickets now.  And don’t forget - delicious culinary opportunities await you, with Heartwood’s Dinner Partners: King Eider’s Pub, Salt Bay Café, Le Garage, Best Thai, Savory Maine, and Newcastle Publick House.
Evening performances in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy take place on October 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 at 7:30 pm, with two 3:00 Sunday matinees on October 21 and 28.  Tickets are $8 for students thru high school, $16 for adults.  Seating is general, unless specially requested in advance.  Reservations: 563-1373 or boxoffice@heartwoodtheater.org.  For directions and details, visit www.heartwoodtheater.org.  Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).