THEATER

Sanford Maine Stage Theatre will hold a meeting for those interested in joining their senior theater group at Nasson Little Theatre in Springvale, on Thursday, March 26 at 1 p.m. They will be talking about plans for the upcoming season, including future shows and fundraising. The group is for ages 55 and up.

“Mary Poppins” will be performed by The TA Players and the Thornton Academy Arts Department from April 9-12 at the Garland Auditorium in Saco. Showtimes are Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m. There will be two shows on Saturday April 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The final performance will be on Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for all shows and all ages. Tickets may be purchased online beginning March 23 at https://squareup.com/market/thornton-academy-box-office or by calling Box Office Manager Doug Stebbins at 602-4471. For more information, go to www.thorntonacademy.org/arts.

“Happy Days Are Here Again” will be on stage at Good Theater, 76 Congress St. in Portland from April 8-26. Performances of the show will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. for $20; Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. for $25 and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. for $28. The show is created and directed by Brian P. Allen, Good Theater’s Artistic Director. It stars Lesley McKinnell a veteran of the national tour of Wicked where she played the leading role of Glinda. Victoria Stubbs is the musical director and pianist for the show. For tickets and more information, call the Good Theater box office at 885-5883 or go to www.goodtheater.com.

School Around Us presents “Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye,” which will be performed at The Brick Store Museum Program Center on Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m., Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. This production is a film-noir fairytale spoof in which “Fairytale Land” has been hit by a crime wave. Tickets are available for purchase at The Brick Store Museum Program Center on Dane Street in Kennebunk. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, go to www.schoolaroundus.org or call 967-3143.

“Fame ”“ The Musical” will be running from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 26 at the STAR Theatre, 120 Rogers Road in Kittery. Set during the last years of New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts, “Fame ”“ The Musical” is the story of a diverse group of students who commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work. Tickets for the show are available at The Kittery Community Center, 120 Rogers Road in Kittery or call the box office at 439-3800. Performance dates and times are as follows: Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 18 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 19 at 5 p.m.; Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 25 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m. General admission for the show is $25 and $20 for students and seniors.

“Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.” will be on stage on Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The STAR Theatre, 120 Rogers Road in Kittery. This is a youth MainStage production featuring “theatre by youth for youth” with a cast of performers all under the age of 18. Tickets are available at The Kittery Community Center. General admission is $15. For more information, go to www.patrickdorowproductions.com.

ART

The Ocean Park Association seeks participating artists for the 2nd annual Ocean Park Plein Air Festival that will be held July 15”“17. This is an opportunity for outdoor artists who will be in the Kennebunkport to Cape Elizabeth area in mid-July. The artists will have from daybreak on Wednesday, July 15 until 11 a.m. on Friday, July 17 to produce paintings of the Ocean Park environs. The artists will submit their five best paintings to be judged by Philip Frey of Ellsworth by noon. All interested artists are asked to submit three samples in jpeg form of their work to Frank Costantino at [email protected] and a non-refundable application fee of $35 should be sent by March 31 to: Mr. Jerry Gosselin, Ocean Park Association, P.O. Box 7296, Ocean Park, Maine 04063. For more information, go to www.oceanpark.org.

Maine artists, ages 50 and older, are invited to exhibit their work at the 13th Annual Festival of Art to be held in Belfast, May 21 through 24. For registration information, contact Juliane Dow at [email protected] or leave a message at 338-8033. The entry deadline is March 31.

River Tree Arts is seeking artists for its upcoming exhibit entitled “Color and Light,” which will run April 3 to May 23. The show will be a celebration of the beginning of gallery season, spring and extended light. River Tree Arts members, as well as the community are welcome to submit work for consideration on March 30 from 10 a.m. to noon or 5-7 p.m. Artists may submit up to five paintings and large work is preferred. Artisans, including jewelry, pottery and gifts, may submit up to eight pieces. There will be an opening reception on April 3 from 5-7 p.m. For more information, go to www.rivertreearts.org.

“Master Series: Portrait Drawing in Pencil & Charcoal with Olena Babak” will be held on Saturday, April 18; Sunday, April 19; Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Study the classical approach of drawing with accomplished artist and instructor Olena Babak. The series will take place at Engine, 265 Main St. in Biddeford. There is a fee of $350 for non-members and $320 for members. For more information, email [email protected] or call 370-9130.

MUSIC

Maine country singer Jose Duddy will be performing at the Grange Hall on Saturday, March 28, from 7-10:30 p.m. The performance will benefit the Waterborough Historical Society, which works to preserve Waterboro’s past for the future. The families of Don, Paul & Leo Prescott will be sponsoring the dance in support and with appreciation to the society for their preservation work. Tickets are $15 per person. This event is BYOB and 21 plus. Set-up and snacks will be available. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at Woodsome’s Feeds & Needs on Main Street and Woody’s Sports Grille on West Road. For more information, call 247-5878.

Dixie Grass and Zink & Company will perform a spring concert on Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m. The show will feature acoustic country and bluegrass music to benefit The Wells Activity Center, 113 Sanford Road in Wells. Dixie Grass plays a catalog of over 40 years of traditional country music. Zink & Company is firmly rooted in traditional bluegrass and country music, featuring vocals, guitar, mandolin and banjo. Tickets are $18 at the door and can be purchased at Gamesters Pawn, 170 Elm St. in Biddeford. For more information, call 776-4188.

The Allman Neville Pitchell Band will perform at Jonathan’s Ogunquit on Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m. The band will perform blues, southern rock and New Orleans influenced music. For more information, go to www.jonathansogunquit.com.

Portland Chamber Music Festival Presents “Hear on Earth” on Thursday, April 9 at 8 p.m. at SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St. in Portland. The performance will be preceded by a social mixer at 7 p.m. This will be an evening of contemporary classical chamber music for string quartet. The show will feature Portland Symphony violist Russell Wilson, who wil be joined by Jennifer Elowitch, Gabriela Diaz on violin and cellist Jennifer Lucht. Tickets are are $15 and $13 for SPACE members and students. For more information, visit www.space538.org.

“Rhythm Future Quartet” featuring Jason Anick and Olli Soikkeli will perform gypsy jazz on Sunday, April 12 at 3 p.m. at Atlantic Hall in Cape Porpoise. Tickets are $30 for preferred seating and $20 for general admission. For reservations, call 967-8784 or email [email protected]. For more information, go to www.rhythmfuturequartet.com.

“Big Easy Roots & Gospel Fest” presented by ProjectMusicWorks will be held on Sunday, April 19. The festival will be a celebration of New Orleans roots, blues and gospel music. A reception with free hors d’oeuvre and a cash bar will begin at 3 p.m., followed by a concert at 4 p.m. featuring The Soggy Po’ Boys, The RMS Five, and the Rock My Soul Choir and Band. A silent auction and 50/50 raffle will run throughout the afternoon and merchandise from all three groups will be available for sale. Advance discount tickets for the event are $25 per person, $20 each for a table of ten, and $30 for VIP seating and reservations. Children 12 and under are admitted free. All tickets at the door on the day of the event will be $30. Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended. Tickets may be purchased online at www.projectmusicworks.org or by calling 450-8016.

SPECIAL INTEREST

“Fun Longfellow!” will be presented by Portland Comedy Co-op on Monday, April 6 at 8 p.m. at 181 State St. in Portland. Host Aharon Willows will be joined by comedians Will Green, Cindi Brown, Pat Bolduc, Aimee Poulin, and Lucas O’Neil.The closing comedian for the night will be Bryce Hanson. This event is for all ages, though 18 and up is recommended. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show will start promptly at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 and tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.onelongfellowsquare.com.

Stand-up comedy performances will be held at The Laugh Shack every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at 212 Brown St. in Westbrook. Touring and regional comedians as well as some of Maine’s comedians are scheduled to perform at Laugh Shack through June with beer specials each night and a small menu for anyone attending the show. Admission is free.

AUDITIONS

City Theater of Biddeford will hold auditions on April 13 and 14 at 6 p.m. for Jonathan Larson’s musical “RENT.” The production will be casting 5 men, 3 women and an ensemble. The play is under the direction of Linda Sturdivant, with musical direction by Kevin Smith and choreography by Mariel Roy. This an open audition. Come prepared to sing something in the style of a rock musical. An accompanist will be provided. Bring sheet music and dress comfortably for a dance audition. For more information, go to www.citytheater.org.