Madhatters Theatre Company will perform Disney’s 101 Dalmations on Friday April 20 at 7 p.m., Saturday April 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday May 1 at 2pm, at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall, Main Street, Clinton, Connecticut.

Tickets: (860) 395-1861

Prices: $15.00 Adults $8 Children 12yrs and under

www.ctkidsonstage.com/madhatterstheatrecompany

CENTERBROOK – Make this your summer of music! Community Music School offers a wide array of programming during the summer months – private lessons, group classes, and ensembles for all ages – including favorites such as Kindermusik, Broadway Beginners, Broadway Bound, Summer Band, Rock Week and Jazz in July. Plus, there are terrific new programs this summer, too:

• Acting 101 for pre-teens and teens
• Summer Sinfonia orchestra
• Music for Children with Special Needs
• Guitar & Strings Workshop

This year, “Refer a friend” for select group classes and ensembles and receive a 10% discount. Visit www.community-music-school.org or call 860-767-0026 for additional information. Registration is now open.

Community Music School, located in the Centerbrook section of Essex, CT, is a not-for-profit arts education organization offering instrumental and vocal students of all ages outstanding private and group instruction. In addition to long-running programs such as Kindermusik and Jazz and String Ensembles, CMS offers special programs for homeschool students and a full menu of summer offerings. Additionally, a certified music therapist is on faculty offering individual and group Music Therapy services, using music as a tool to reach individualized therapeutic goals for people of all ages and skill levels. For additional information on programs or performances, please call 860-767-0026 or visit www.community-music-school.org.

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The Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook, announces three new art exhibits for the coming weeks.

Works by collage artist Judith Hamilton Jerome of Old Saybrook will be on display in the first floor gallery through March 19.

Beginning March 21, photographs by Gene Creighton of Old Saybrook will be presented in the first floor gallery, while a selection of photographs of Italy by Clay Farrell of Old Saybrook will be in the second floor gallery March 10 through April 30.

For further information, please call 860-395-3184, or visit the library during regular hours: Monday through Thursday 10–8:30, Friday and Saturday 9–5, and Sunday 1–5.

James Kuslan and Joyce Fideor During Ivoryton Library Opera Series on Macbeth

The Ivoryton Library opera series, Great Works of Literature and Opera, had an enthusiastic launch of the first of its series at the Ivoryton Congregational Church on Thursday with a study of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

A large audience at the Congregational Church listened with interest to an introduction from international opera singer Susan von Reichenbach followed by a fascinating lecture from guide and main speaker James Kuslan, who discussed the ways in which Shakespeare and his interpreters make choices that affect our understanding of the meaning of play. Kuslan, who is a respected expert in his field, reviews operas in New York City publications and writes introductions for Deutsche Grammophone, whose business is largely opera recordings.

Kuslan’s message was exemplified in an extraordinary performance by actress Joyce Fideor, who rendered a speech by Lady Macbeth in three different ways to illustrate the influence of actor interpretation.  Fideor concluded her performed with two emotionally charged soliloquies from Lady Macbeth which left the audience in awe.

Joyce Fideor performs an emotional soliloquy by Lady Macbeth

Fideor has played Lady Macbeth in Nicole Williamson’s production of the play at New York’s Circle-in-the-Square Theater.

The nine part series, entitled “Great Works of Literature and Music: Read, Hear, See” is funded by a grant from the Middlesex County Community Foundation, and will continue through May, 2011.

The next performance in the series will be on March 24, at the Ivoryton Congregational Church, when Kuslan will discuss how Verdi and his librettist, Piave, adapted the play Macbeth so that its elements might be amplified by music.

Eastern Connecticut Ballet will the well known Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra at the Katherine Hepburn Theater on Saturday May 7 at 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.

Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is one of the most well known orchestral pieces written especially for young listeners.  Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s fanciful adventure brings music and dance together to guide young people through the wonders of the symphony orchestra.  The ballet taps into children’s natural ability to envision images suggested by music.  Dancing brass, string, woodwind, and percussion instruments are brought to life on stage and are used to teach children how the four sections of the orchestra are woven together to create musical magic!

This delightful family program also includes lively selections for young audiences choreographed to the music of Gershwin, Gottschalk, Mendelssohn and R. Strauss.

Saturday, May 7 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.

The Katharine Hepburn Theater
300 Main Street
Old Saybrook, CT 06475

For tickets call (877) 503-1286 or online at www.thekate.org

Eastern Connecticut Ballet is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in E. Lyme * www.easternctballet.com.

CENTERBROOK – Community Music School is pleased to announce two newly elected members to its Board of Trustees, Linda Grossman and Ed Gumbrecht.

Linda Grossman is executive manager of Grossman Chevrolet Nissan in Old Saybrook where she has assisted with running the family business since 1992. She brings a keen business sense and creativity to the CMS Board. Linda resides in Essex with her husband and 3 children.

Ed Gumbrecht is partner, principal, and Chief Operating Officer of the Gowrie Group in Westbrook. He is a member of the International Business Council and the U.S. Sailing Association. When not managing the largest marine insurance group in the U.S., Ed enjoys playing guitar and writing songs. He resides in Madison with his wife and two daughters.

Community Music School, located in the Centerbrook section of Essex, is a not-for-profit arts education organization offering instrumental and vocal students of all ages outstanding private and group instruction. In addition to long-running programs such as Kindermusik and Jazz and String Ensembles, CMS offers special programs for homeschool students and a full menu of summer offerings. Additionally, a certified music therapist is on faculty offering individual and group Music Therapy services, using music as a tool to reach individualized therapeutic goals for people of all ages and skill levels. For additional information on programs or performances, please call 860-767-0026 or visit www.community-music-school.org.

Artisans Harbor Gallery of Old Saybrook will be holding an Artworks Demonstration on Saturday, March 26 from 4:30-7 p.m. at their gallery at 188 Main Street, Old Saybrook.

Bernard McTigue BFA will give an oil painting demonstration and P.J. Cook BFA will demonstrate watercolor techniques. Both artists instruct painting and drawing classes at the Artisans Harbor Studio.

Portrait artist Paige Miglio will also compose a graphite portrait, while Carole Young will show her technique on glass painting, and John Houle will demonstrate his woodburning scrimshaw.  Potter, Kathy Citron will demonstrate how to throw clay vessels.

Wine, cider & appetizers will be served to accompliment the evening event.

The gallery will also be offering several art classes starting in March as follows:

• Oil painting with artist Bernie McTigue – begins Tuesdays March 15.
• Drawing class with Bernie McTigue – begins Fridays March18.
• Watercolor with artist P.J. Cook – begins Saturdays March19.

Each class is 6 weeks in duration from 2:30-4:30pm and costs $135.00.

Pottery classes with potter Kathy Citron will be held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Please contact
the gallery for details.

Gallery hours Tuesday 2-5pm, Thurs., Fri., Sat., & Sun. 12-5pm. Contact: artisansharbor@att.net or 860-388-9070.
ARTISANS HARBOR is located at 188 Main St. Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Reception for Sherry Marlowe at Marshview Gallery, March 11, 5-7pm

There will be a reception to meet Sherry Marlowe and view some of her work at the Marshview Gallery in Old Saybrook on March 11, from 5 – 7 p.m.

Sherry Marlowe began painting after receiving her interior design degree in New Hampshire.  Design was challenging but it color captured her spirit and desire to paint.

Since the beginning her medium of choice has been pastels.  Painting with pure pigments offers her an infinite variety of colors and values to create rich bold paintings.
Her representational artwork has an impressionist style whether the painting is a landscape or an old train.     

She’s an elected artist member in the Clinton Art Society (CAS) and Madison Art Society. Her work has been juried in to the Slater Memorial Museum Connecticut Artist Shows.  In 2010 she received two awards.  One for her “1942 SAAB” painting in the Madison Art Society Show and the other from the Connecticut Pastel Society for “Retired Work Horse.”

All ages are welcome to join us for this free event.  Refreshments will be provided.

Author and speaker Charles Eisenstein will be talking on March 6, 2011 at the East Haddam Grange from 2 - 4 pm

The Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley (ECCoLoV) is pleased to host noted author and speaker Charles Eisenstein on March 6, 2011 at the East Haddam Grange, 488 Town Street, East Haddam, Connecticut from 2 to 4 PM. Mr. Eisenstein will talk about the changes taking place in our society right now – from where they spring, and what their implications are.

Current economic uncertainty isn’t just a bump in the road, but a fundamental shift. Our ‘story’ is changing – the invisible myths and ideologies that form our world – propelling humanity into a new relationship to earth and money. Underneath is a deeper shift: an awakening to a different way of being.

Charles Eisenstein’s book, The Ascent of Humanity, is a radical exploration of the history and future of civilization from a unique perspective: the human sense of self. Like many philosophers, Eisenstein traces all of the converging crises of our age to a common source, which he calls Separation. It is the ideology of the discrete and separate self that has generated these crises; therefore, he argues, nothing less than a “revolution in human beingness” will be sufficient to transform our relationship to each other and the planet. Even in this dark hour, he says, a more beautiful world is possible – - but not through the extension of millennia-old methods of management and control.

This talk is free and open to all. Donations are encouraged. Refreshments will be available.

The Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c3 organized around the principles of the Earth Charter, a declaration of inter-dependence developed through a world-wide dialog initiated by the United Nations. For more information, visit ECCoLoV at www.earthcharterct.org, or call 860-873-8989. Visit Charles Eisenstein at www.ascentofhumanity.com.

The Acton Public Library will be exhibiting a display of antique and artisan doll house miniatures presented by Sherry Martel of Old Saybrook in the library display case from Feb. 7 through March 19.

Get a glimpse into the tiny world of miniatures! The Acton Public Library announces a display of antique and artisan doll house miniatures presented by Sherry Martel of Old Saybrook. Ms. Martel, who has been collecting miniatures since she was a young girl, shares her knowledge of and enthusiasm for the hobby with this selection from her extensive collection.

Ms. Martel’s miniatures will be on exhibit in the library display case February 7 through March 19, 2011.

Library hours are 10-8:30 Monday through Thursday, 9-5 Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 Sunday.

Oscar Hammerstein III recalls his family’s theatrical legacy 

A smiling Oscar Hammerstein III entertained a large audience at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison in early January (Photo by Rachel Berliner)

It was a cold night in early January yet the room at the delightful RJ Julia bookstore in Madison was filled with fans of musical theatre of all ages.  The draw was the name of the presenter – Oscar Hammerstein III.

Everyone has heard that name in the context of Rodgers and Hammerstein, the highly successful duo who wrote the words and music for some of the most famous musicals of all time … The Sound of Music, South Pacific, carousel … and so many more.

Here at RJ Julia’s was Oscar Hammerstein II’s grandson – Oscar Hammerstein III – talking about about his fascinating family based on his recent book “The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family.”  It was enough to attract even snow-birds back to Madison!

With a powerpoint presentation at hand, Hammerstein spoke passionately and proudly of his family’s theatrical history.  He mentioned that “not many people knew about his grandfather’s operatic roots.”

He recalled those roots as being, “deep in opera” since the first Oscar Hammerstein was a proud supporter and owner of many opera houses in New York City.  He created Hammerstein’s Ballroom, which is still standing today.

Before writing well-known works like “South Pacific” and “Oklahoma”, Oscar Hammerstein II wrote many operettas.  With Jerome Kern, he helped compose the popular, “Showboat,” (due to be revived at Goodspeed Opera House this summer) in 1927.

Richard Rodgers was “the man who invited himself to lunch” one day and that was the beginning of the Rodgers and Hammerstein partnership.  Interestingly, Hammerstein III described Rodgers and Hammerstein’s partnership as professional, not a “friendship.”

The audience learned about many behind-the-scenes facts of the Rodgers and Hammerstein shows.  For example, after Yul Brynner’s audition, Rodgers and Hammerstein rewrote the musical “King and I” around him.

Cinderella was originally broadcast for television because there “wasn’t enough interest in the theatre.”

And amazingly, Rodgers and Hammerstein turned down many projects like “My Fair Lady”, “Peter Pan”, “Guys and Dolls”, and “Fiddler on the Roof.” 

Oscar Hammerstein II taught Stephen Sondheim about lyric-writing and playwriting and therefore, Sondheim became his “protégé.”  Sondheim was encouraged by Hammerstein II to be a composer.
Hammerstein also influenced Sondheim’s choice of projects like “West Side Story” and “Gypsy”, in which Sondheim only wrote the lyrics, despite wishing to be involved with musicals where could write both music and lyrics. 

These respective projects made Sondheim famous and Hammerstein III noted, “When (Stephen Sondheim) asked if Oscar Hammerstein II was his idol, Sondheim replied, “He’s not my idol, he’s my hero.”

When asked which of his grandfather’s musicals was his personal favorite, Hammerstein III answered, “Carousel.”  “Soliloquy” from “Carousel” is the most important [song] of them all.  It is what links Oscar back to all of the generations before him.  It is the sung story.  “Soliloquy” is like a beautiful oak tree. Admiring its robust height and heft, one may forget how deep its operatic roots go … or when that tree’s seed was planted. This book aims to remind.”

According to Oscar Hammerstein III, it was a “masterpiece.”

Even today, the Hammerstein family is still involved in theatre.  Oscar III is a professor of theatre history at Columbia University.  His late father, James, was a director and he also had an uncle who was a producer.

Hammerstein III said he wanted to keep his, “family’s history alive with the sound of music,” and without doubt, the impact of three Hammerstein generations continues. 

Hammerstein III cheerfully signed numerous books after his presentation at the bookstore (Photo by Rachel Berliner).

CENTERBROOK – Community Music School’s Sinfonia (formerly Junior Strings) and String Ensemble will perform in concert at Valley Regional High School on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.  Members of these multi-generational performing ensembles, which are directed by Martha Herrle, represent Essex, Ivoryton, Old Saybrook, Chester, Deep River, East Haddam, Lyme, Old Lyme, and a number of other towns. Music to be performed includes Ode to Joy, Over the Rainbow, the Brandenburg Concerto, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The concert is free and open to the public.  Please call 860-767-0026 or visit www.community-music-school.org for additional information.

On Jan. 21 through 23, the Shoreline’s fresh new theater group, The Saybrook Stage Company will bring Grover’s Corners to life at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in their town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut.  With the Stage Manager as your guide, Thorton Wilder’s classic story of the fictional New Hampshire Community takes you on a poignant journey where you will become enthralled with the everyday life of the small New England town “in their birth, in their living and in their dying.”

Under the direction of John Sebastian DeNicola, The Saybrook Stage Company’s actors are as real as the characters they portray – some are professional actors, some returning to the stage after years away and some relatively new to the stage – but the combination of personalities and talent will win your heart from the very first Act. 

The company is thrilled to perform their debut production at The Kate because it has special meaning for them in that the building that houses the beautifully renovated theater was the original home of the first stage company in town – The Old Saybrook Musical and Dramatic Club.   The Saybrook Stage Company hopes to serve the shoreline as a stage company that will provide an outlet for all who have a genuine love of theater.

The Cast of Our Town

Although Wilder wrote Our Town back in 1938, it is still one of the most performed pieces of theatrical works today for the worries, joys and tragedies that the characters live through are virtually the same ones we face today.  So be sure to venture out of your town to experience “Our Town” at The Kate – where you will be awakened to truly enjoy life for what it is – a precious gift to be savored and appreciated – every, every minute.

For reserved seating tickets: call 877.503.1286 or visit www.thekate.org

Chester artist Claudia Van Nes will be the guest at a reception at the Marshview Gallery in Old Saybrook on Friday Jan. 14 from 5 – 7 p.m.

Claudia Van Nes

Van Nes lives in Chester on the Connecticut River with her husband Gordon. She has been an artist most of her life. Her mother was artistic and encouraged her children to be creative as did her father. She majored in art in college and attended art school in Paris as well but her life took another turn, and she became a journalist, pursuing that career for almost 30 years.

During those years, she took art classes and workshops, mainly drawing and doing watercolors. She retired six years ago and returned to painting with acrylics, took more classes and workshops and paints once a week with a small group of artists.

The subject matter in her paintings is recognizable but her style is more fanciful than realistic. She does some landscapes but mainly paints fruit and vegetables and familiar and humble objects around her home, painting them up close and slightly askew – much like her view of the world. Her website is www.twosisterspaint.com.

All are welcome at 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook to meet Claudia Van Nes at the Marshview Gallery Artist reception. All ages are welcome to join us for this event. Refreshments provided.

R. Bruce Connelly (member of Actors Equity) as Barnum and Beverley Galpin as his wife, Chairy (picture by Anne Hudson)

A wonderful revival of “Barnum” is currently playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse.  This “heartwarming” circus musical was composed by Cy Coleman of “Sweet Charity” fame and the lyrics were written by Michael Stewart.  The original 1980 Broadway production starred Glenn Close and Jim Dale.

This show is geared toward the family and the whimsical mood set during the pre-show.  As soon as you enter the theater, adults and children alike were treated to laughing clowns, entertaining and interacting with the audience.  Even Scott Wasserman (Ringmaster/Bailey) is making balloon animals for the kids.

The stage has a red circus “big-top” backdrop.  A five-piece band plays in the background and all of the musicians wear circus outfits to fit in with the mood of the show. 

Michael Viao and Sarah Stelzer in the Ivoryton Playhouse production of Barnum

In “There’s a Sucker Born” every minute, Barnum persuades the crowd on the stage to come to his “Greatest Show on Earth.”

R. Bruce Connelly’s energy commands the stage as P.T. Barnum, who he portrays as a dreamer.

Beverly Galpin plays Barnum’s wife, Charity “Chairy” Barnum, who is Barnum’s stubborn, New England-bred wife.  Chairy is often against her husband’s dreams.  How amusing it is when Chairy flips a one-sided coin to make a decision and, “Fate was always on her side.”  Galpin sings the nostalgic “The Colors of My Life,” beautifully.

Scott Wasserman plays the Ringmaster/Bailey and also serves as the announcer/narrator for Barnum’s actions in a circus-style format 

Justin Boudreau stood out as Tom Thumb.  His rendition of, “Bigger Isn’t Better,” was an entertaining number.
Danielle Cohen was a delight as the Swedish soprano and diva, Jenny Lind while the ensemble consisted of multi-talented clowns, gymnasts, bystanders, and acrobats.

Two of the most enjoyable numbers were, “Come Follow the Band,” (which certainly had the audience tapping their shoes) and, “Join the Circus.”

This show is such fun that you should definitely, “Join the circus” before it packs up the tent and leaves town for good after this Sunday’s evening performance!

Performance times are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Evening performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at (860) 767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org  (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Give a Little at The Kate in Old Saybrook Saturday Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. This is the 3rd annual benefit concert for the Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries and every cent goes to the soup kitchen. The goal is 100,000 meals; the need is closer to 300,000.

See performances by Lauren Agnelli, Ebin-Rose, Lara Herscovitch, Moving Target, Jim & Liz Beloff, Jack Caldwell, Eric & Sandra Lichter, Ragweed and Amalgamated Muck.

Presented by The Shoreline Acoustic Underground with The Small Town Concert Series, Wyeth Architects LLC and AcousticMusic.org

Tickets: $20 main floor; $40 balcony. Box office 860.510.0453

Capella Cantorum  will perform “Messiah Singalong or listen”, on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. in The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center, (The Kate) 300 Main St. Old Saybrook, 06475.

The Singalong is open to all, featuring professional soloists under the direction of Barry Asch and accompanied by Deborah Lyon. Bring your Messiah Scores if you have them or they will be provided.

 There is a $10 fee for singers and audience, to cover expenses and with profit going to support The Kate. Singers will sit in sections. The audience is invited to sit in the back, witness the short rehearsal, and then the Sing.

Tickets will be available on-line at www.thekate.org and through the Box Office 877-503-1286, open Tues–Fri 10 a.m. –2 p.m., no reserved seats. For information call Barry Asch at 860-388-2871.

The Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook, is exhibiting  paintings by local artist Augusto Lucarelli of Deep River.  His work will be on display in the library gallery on the main floor through Dec. 27, 2010. 

The second floor gallery of the library features the work of Shlomit Ruttkamp of  Westbrook. Ms. Ruttkamp’s drawings in black and white and color will be on display through Jan. 15, 2011.        

For further information, please call 860-395-3184, or visit the library during regular hours: Monday through Thursday 10.00 a.m. - 8.30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. and Sunday 1.00 p.m.- 5.00 p.m.

Con Brio Choral Society (Photo Bob Lorenz)

Old Saybrook, CT – The Con Brio Choral Society, the Shoreline chorus under the direction of Stephen D. Bruce, will hold auditions for new members on Tuesday,  January 4 at 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road. All parts are invited, especially tenors, and an accompanist will be provided. The 50-member chorus, now in its 14th year, presents two major concerts in spring and winter as well as a special children’s concert in Old Lyme. For more details, contact Susan Saltus at 860-767-0090 or view www.conbrio.org.

Winterbloom: Antje Duvekot, Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson, and Natalia Zukerman

Winterbloom, a group of four successful, internationally-touring singer-songwriters – Antje Duvekot, Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson, and Natalia Zukerman will be performing at the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7.00 p.m.

While carving their own paths in indie Acoustic, Folk, Americana, Pop and Singer-Songwriter music, each have celebrated one another’s accomplishments on the road, and fostered the spirit of collaboration in the Boston music scene back at home. A magical show together in December 2008 led them to tour together as “Winterbloom” in November 2009 with a winter/holiday album they recorded called “Winterbloom: Traditions Rearranged.” They received rave reviews to both the fresh new recordings and moving live concerts, prompting them to reunite for the Boston Music Festival and Lilith Fair in the summer 2010.

Back by popular demand this holiday season, Winterbloom will play select shows in the US before a pilgrimage to tour Antje’s homeland Germany as well as the Netherlands in December.

Listen to sample tracks from Winterbloom

Tickets will be $30 if purchased in advance or $35 at the door.  Visit The Kate website for more details.

The Old Lyme Town Band is proud to be performing a concert of holiday music as well as traditional band numbers tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, or  “The Kate.” Although tickets are free, please reserve yours by calling the box office at (860) 510-0453 or visit www.thekate.org. Walk-ins on concert night are also welcome and will  be able to get a ticket at the box office.

Concert goers will  enjoy many holiday numbers new to the band’s repertoire, including “German Carol Festival,” a medley of six well-known carols; “A Tuba in  a Pear Tree, or The 24 Tunes of Christmas,” composed by tuba-player Don Shirer; “Good Swing Wenceslas”; “Christmas Pops Medley”; “A Canadian Brass Christmas Suite,” and the extensive “Rhapsody for  Hanukkah.”

The Acton Public Library is displaying a collection of jewelry and ornaments created from hand-painted oyster shells from a local artist, from Nov. 19 through Dec.23.

Designed by Suzanne Burnham of Clinton, the whimsical designs featuring animals and holiday themes and incorporating the natural shape and texture of the oyster shell. She brings her works to the library display case November 19 through December 23, 2010.

Library hours are 10-8:30 Monday through Thursday,  9-5 Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 Sunday.