FREEPORT — The Freeport Factory Stage’s holiday production, “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens, will run from Thursday through Dec. 11.
“In his original adaptation of this immortal classic, veteran Broadway actor ( and Bridgton resident) Will Rhys utilizes Dickens’ own thirdperson narrative and plenty of authentic dialogue from the story to present the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from the darkness of hurt and anger into the light of redemption and joy,” a Freeport Factory Stage release states.
“With lovely background music, and using a bare stage and a minimum of props — a couple of chairs, a stool, a lectern — Mr. Rhys evokes a vivid 19th century London and environs: from Scrooge’s counting house to the Cratchit household, from Fezziwig’s party to the ‘farthest ship at sea,’ and a host of other settings,” the release continues.
“It has been calculated that ‘A Christmas Carol’ has been adapted across all media more than 400 times,” the release states. “Mr. Rhys is proud to add his new adaptation to that remarkable number.”
A special “pay what they can” performance for families will start at 7 p.m. Thursday. A holiday cider and cookie reception will follow the show.
Additional performances are scheduled for 7: 30 p. m. Dec. 9 and 10, as well as at 2 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets, which range in price from $12 to $10, are available by calling the box office at 865-5505 or by visiting www.FreeportFactory.com.
Freeport Factory Stage is located at 5 Depot St.
Women’s big band swings into Topsham
TOPSHAM — The Edith Jones Project, Maine’s All Women Big Band, will perform a “Swing into the Holidays” concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Orion Performing Arts Center.
For more information, call 798-9201 or 838-0700.
The Edith Jones Project, a 17-piece ensemble, was established in 2003 by Alison Jones, who now resides in Tucson, Ariz. Members include music educators and professional touring musicians.
“The women opted to continue performing together after Jones relocated several years ago, and although some of the personnel has changed since then, the band is swingin’ harder than ever,” a release from the band states.
The Mt. Ararat Jazz Ensemble will also perform a few songs, and Audrey Burns, a junior at Mt. Ararat High School, will sing “Christmas time
Is Here” with the Edith Jones Project. Allen Graffam, Mt. Ararat High School band director and a professional trumpeter, will also sit in with the big band for a holiday song or two.
Tickets cost $5 for students, $7 for seniors or $10 for general admission. Advance tickets are available at Music and Moore at Topsham Fair Mall. Proceeds benefit the Mt. Ararat High School music department.
West Bath School fair tradition continues
WEST BATH — The West Bath Parent-Teacher Organization will sponsor the 40th annual Christmas fair and café from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at West Bath School, 126 New Meadows Road.
For more information, call Deb Bruce at 504-4603.
Fireworks kick off Christmas by the Sea
CAMDEN — A fireworks display will kick off the 25th anniversary of the Christmas by the Sea weekend this evening in Camden.
“Santa” Don Green will be back, coming into town by boat as he has done for almost two decades. He’ll light the Christmas tree on the library lawn overlooking the harbor, then stand back for the fireworks display.
Other Christmas by the Sea activities take place today, Saturday and Sunday in Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville.
For more information, visit www.camdenme.org.
Weekend art event benefits Wolfe’s Neck
FREEPORT — Art Guild Gallery hosts a Holiday Artfest and Raffle to benefit Wolfe’s Neck Farm today, Saturday and Sunday.
The show will feature paintings, photography, pottery, glass and jewelry by art guild members. On display for this special event are many of the Farm’s Summer Artfest exhibitors, including Christy DeVeault with oil paintings, Judy Segal with ceramics and pastel paintings, Catherine Worthington with fiber art, Deb Driver and Myra Dileo with jewelry, and Libby Rosquete with pottery.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday, as well as from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. An artist reception runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.
A raffle of artwork and other items will be held. Proceeds from the raffle and 10 percent of total sales from the weekend will be donated to Wolfe’s Neck Farm.
The gallery is located next to Sianno’s Restaurant at 140 Main St. For more information, call 865-5413.
Good Theater concerts run through Sunday
PORTLAND — Good Theater will host its annual Broadway at Good Theater concerts today through Sunday.
This year’s Broadway at Good Theater concerts will feature a tribute to the company’s 10 seasons. Songs from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “The Spitfire Grill,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “Ruthless,” “Into the Woods,” “Baby” and “A Man of No Importance” will be showcased. The concert also will include holiday numbers, pop tunes and other Broadway hits.
Scheduled performers include Broadway leading man Kevin Earley, who will be joined by 17 singers, including Marva Pittman, Kelly Caufield, Lynne McGhee, Stephen Underwood, David Goulet, Grace Bradford, Joe Bearor, Marc Brann, Todd Daley, Marie Dittmer, Deirdre Fulton, Meredith Lamothe, Jen Means, Erik Moody, Taylor Palmer, Amy Roche and Benjamin Row.
Show times are 7: 30 p. m. today and Saturday, as well as 3 p. m. Saturday and 2 p. m. Sunday. Tickets cost $25 for the shows today and Saturday afternoon. Sunday’s matinee and Saturday’s evening performances cost $30.
For tickets and reservations, call the Good Theater box office at 885-5883. Performances are at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St.
Artists occupy Lincoln Building this weekend
BRUNSWICK — An eclectic group of local artists has joined forces to save a tradition. The new Downtown Moves Up — Holiday Art Exhibit and Sale has been organized to take the place of the annual holiday Brunswick Downtown and All Around, which had to be canceled due to a scheduling conflict.
The event will be held upstairs in the Lincoln Building, 98 Maine St., today through Sunday.
A reception with live music and refreshments runs from 4 p. m. to 9 p. m. today. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
More than 20 local artists will display and sell their works.
For more information and a list of participating artists, see www.fiveriversartsalliance.org or call Five Rivers Arts Alliance at 798-6964.
Boy Singers of Maine to croon at Orion PAC
TOPSHAM — The Boy Singers of Maine will present “A Starry Night of Song,” a matinee concert, at 2 p. m. Dec. 18 at the Orion Performing Arts Center.
The group is a nonprofit organization dedicated to musical education for boys 7 to 18 years old.
Tickets, available at the door, cost $12 for adults or $8 for students.
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