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 THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES – Chan Harris, Director
The years between 1958 and 1968 is a period of the great “Growing Up” of America. It was a moment of great transition in this country — from the period of prosperity following World War II to the political and social unrest of the Vietnam War. In many ways, this transition represents both the end of American innocence and the beginning of our participation in what author Marshall McLuhan termed the “Global Village.” This turbulent time period contained the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. which are, for the Baby-Boom generation, defining moments of profound collective loss, but also this period contained the World’s Fair of 1964, which was dedicated to “Man’s Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe,” the Kennedy initiative to send us to the Moon, as well as the fruition of the Civil Rights Movement and the invention of the computer. Music was also making a huge transition, moving from the lyric-based music of the first half of the century to the rhythm-based music of the 1970s and beyond. It was also a time when music was beginning to be written for and by a much younger audience which reflected the angst and joy of the time.
The Marvelous Wonderettes is also about growing up – the period of psychological transition from childhood to adulthood. I’m glad you’ll grow up with us on this Marvelous journey.
-Chan Harris
 ANNIE & XANADU – Marc Robin, DirectorSo imagine this…it’s the late 70’s and a then 13-year-old version of me is breaking open the cellophane wrapper on the Cast Album (as in record made of wax) to a new show called Annie. I put the record on my parents phonograph and placed the needle on the revolving disk. The overture began and my journey with Annie began with it.
I would listen to that record all summer until I knew every word, every note and imagined every second of it. Since I lived in Fort Lauderdale (which is not very close to Broadway) I had to wait until the national tour played the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami before I could actually view the treasure I had been creating in my mind.
It was even better than I imagined.
I think, for me, the inherent optimism that the character of Annie embodies, spoke to me through the album; continued in the live viewing and inspired me for the rest of my life.
To have a child see the world as “brimming with possibility” verses the cynisism of the adult view where the world is “designed to knock you down” is a message that is just as strong today as it was when the comic strip was created in 1924.
In the depression era it was the voice of Annie in that comic strip that inspired and gave hope to thousands who read it.
Though the great depression eventually lead to great prosperity and our nation enjoyed a long period of hope, we are, sadly in need of that optimistic voice again today. Our country once again struggles and our adult sensibilities once more drift toward the negative. Would that we could all adopt Annie or at least her views and find the bright side of life and the hopes for a better “Tomorrow” instead of dwelling on the challenges of today.
When I told folks I was about to start a production of Annie they usually rolled their eyes or groaned or made a snide comment. “Oh, that old play”…”They’re doing it again??”…”Aren’t you tired of that show?’…”Why do we need to see another production of that?
I’ll tell you why…
Until we can all learn how to embrace the possible and look toward tomorrow, we will always need this show to remind us how to do it today!
I am so thrilled to return to Maine State for this production of Annie. I am so grateful to Steve and everyone here who has allowed me to call Maine my “summer home” for the past six seasons!!
“Tomorrow is only a day away!!!”
- Marc Robin, Director
 THE WIZ – Donna Drake, Director
"There’s no place like home.”
These iconic words from a well-loved story are particularly close to my heart right now because when I come to direct at MSMT it is like coming home. In fact, now that I think of it, from the planning stages and design meetings, to the rehearsal process, the creation of this production has been an experience not unlike the story you are about to witness.
In THE WIZ, we travel along with four friends looking for brains, heart, courage and a way home. As I began working on this production many months ago, I began working with my friends (the design team, MSMT staff, my choreographer and music director) to bring you a fresh and groundbreaking version of this musical that not only has an amazing cast, but also incorporates advanced techniques in set design, lighting design, sound design, properties, choreography, animal training and multi-media special effects. It has been an illustrious journey. All of these elements are artfully merged to enhance what is already a great story and a powerful score and takes the MSMT theatrical experience to a new and exciting level that I really hope you will enjoy.
This musical is one of my favorites. The story,“The Wizard of Oz,”by L. Frank Baum has reached its iconic status because it relates to anyone from any culture. We are all searching for something we think we lack, and so often what we are searching for has been right with us all along. I never get tired of learning that lesson.
THE WIZ, being an African American interpretation of this story, adds that special soul to the characters and the rock-gospel score fills you up and reaches out, implanting itself deep into your heart and memory. I am so grateful to present this piece as it was originally intended, with an all African American cast. I am grateful to the people of Maine for historically being so proud of their African American history and their open acceptance of African American culture.
I’d like to end by saying I am amazed by the brainpower that has gone into this show. I am proud of the amount of heart that the designers, cast, technical crew and MSMT staff have given to this production. I am impressed by the courage this team has shown by taking risks and pushing the envelop, but mostly I am so happy that we are all finally home at MSMT and sharing with you the culmination of this incredible journey.
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