Charis Leos

Interview: MSMT Launches Twelfth Season of PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 11, 2026

Maine State Music Theatre launched the twelfth season of its popular panel discussion series, Peek Behind the Curtain, with a spirited conversation about the theatre’s current production, HAIRSPRAY. A large crowd was on hand at the Curtis Memorial Library on June 10 to listen to two of the show’s stars, CHARIS LEOS (Prudy Pingleton, Matron, Gym Teacher) and Tarra Conner Jones (Motormouth Maybelle)  together with Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark and BWW moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold.

Review: HAIRSPRAY is An Anthem to Optimism and Change
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 5, 2026

From the joyful opening number, “Good Morning, Baltimore,” to the to the rousing vibrancy of the finale, “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Maine  State Music Theatre’s revival of HAIRSPRAY, a co-production with Lancaster, Pennsylvania‘s Fulton Theatre, which opens the 2026 season, offers the audience pure optimism and joy. Despite - or perhaps because of - the more serious underlying themes that the musical tackles such as racism, segregation, body positivity, and inclusion - HAIRSPRAY remains the perfect theatrical evening where entertainment and inspiration combine. This new production, directed and choreographed by Kenny Ingram with a superbly talented cast that features an extraordinary blend of Broadway, MSMT veteran, and young professional talent invites audiences to marvel at the company’s artistic range and to revel in an exquisitely delightful evening’s entertainment.

Video: Trailer for HAIRSPRAY at Maine State Music Theatre
by Joshua Wright - May 13, 2026

Maine State Music Theatre has released the trailer for HAIRSPRAY, the beloved Tony Award-winning musical running June 3 through 20, 2026 at Pickard Theatre at Bowdoin College, in a co-production with the Fulton Theatre.

HAIRSPRAY Begins Performances At The Fulton Theatre This April
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 31, 2026

The Fulton Theatre will bring the Tony-winning hit 'Hairspray' to the Mainstage from April 10 through May 3, 2026, with preview performances on April 8 (Community Night) and 9 (Pay-What-You-Want).

Winners Announced For The 2025 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards
by BWW Awards - Jan 15, 2026

Winners have been announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards! The 2025 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.

Gulfshore Playhouse Celebrates The Holidays With IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 13, 2025

Gulfshore Playhouse will bring holiday cheer to Naples with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, running November 11–December 21, 2025. Directed by Dann Dunn.

Review: The Music Makers & Dreamers of Dreams
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 30, 2025

That MSMT chose to create this their co-production with Lewiston‘s Public Theatre is perhaps no surprise since every mounting of this play has met with huge public success.

The Public Theatre and Maine State Music Theatre Present: THE IRISH…AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 16, 2025

This unique collaboration brings together the best of both companies, celebrating the resilience, humor, and enduring spirit of the Irish people in a heartwarming production that will leave audiences clapping, laughing, and singing along. Almost 3,500 tickets have already been sold and matinees are filling up quickly.

Interview: PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN Examines the World of FOOTLOOSE
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 24, 2025

MSMT continued its 11th season of the popular series, Peek Behind the Curtain, on July 23, 2025, presenting a panel consisting of two of MSMT’s favorite artists, Charis Leos (GYPSY, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, HELLO, DOLLY!) and David Girolmo (WAR PAINT & CANDIDE on Broadway, TITANIC, TREASURE ISLAND, HELLO, DOLLY!), together with MSMT Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark and BWW moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold. Held at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, the event drew its customary enthusiastic crowd. Among the topics addressed in the conversation were FOOTLOOSE as a reflection of the 1980s, the creative team of E. Faye Butler (director) and Tyler Hanes (choreographer), the setting of FOOTLOOSE in the fictional town of Bomont, Oklahoma, and the meaning of dance as self-expression and liberation in the musical.

Review: Can't Stand Still: FOOTLOOSE Explodes Onto MSMT Stage
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 17, 2025

Bursting with energy and pulsating with a heartwarming story of forgiveness and family, Maine State Music Theatre’s new production of FOOTLOOSE serves up both a genuinely poignant tale and a dance extravaganza.  The new production, directed by E. Faye Butler and choreographed by Tyler Hanes, the first revival since 2014 of the 2008 musical by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford, and Walter Bobbei, offers a new deeper, more probing and more compelling take on this timeless story of teen rebellion, generational conflict, and a journey to forgiveness.

Review: Joyous, Funny, Tender, and Thought Provoking: TOOTSIE Takes the Stage at MSMT
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 27, 2025

Following on the heels of a nostalgically, romantic ANASTASIA, Maine State Music Theatre’s second main stage show this season, TOOTSIE, demonstrates the company’s ability to turn on a dime. The 2018 David Yazbek musical, based on the 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman, is a big, boisterous Broadway show that is joyous, tender, and thought provoking all at once and provides the audience with an evening filled with exhilaration and elation.

Review: THE IRISH AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - Feb 8, 2025

You are going to need the luck of the Irish if you postpone buying tickets, word of mouth is going to make this a very popular show.

THE IRISH AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY Comes to the Fulton Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2025

The Fulton Theatre has announced its upcoming production of 'The Irish and How They Got That Way,' as part of the Ellen Arnold Groff Studio Series. Learn more about the show here!

Winners Announced For The 2024 BroadwayWorld Central Pennsylvania Awards
by BWW Awards - Jan 13, 2025

Winners have been announced for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Central Pennsylvania Awards! The 2024 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - Sep 22, 2024

Beautiful is just that, a beautiful show.  It is a great way to start the new season, and highlights Lancaster’s strong, continuing dedication to the fine arts.

Video: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Fulton Theatre
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 22, 2024

The Fulton Theatre is currently presenting Beautiful: The Carole King Musical through October 20th, 2024, bringing Carole King's inspiring story and timeless music to life on the Fulton Theatre stage. Check out footage from the production in the video here!

Broadway's Sara Sheperd Leads BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL At Fulton Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 5, 2024

Sara Sheperd from Broadway will star in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at the Fulton Theatre.

Video: First Look at BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Maine State Music Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Aug 14, 2024

Get a first look at Maine State Music Theatre's production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, a captivating journey through the life of one of music’s most iconic songwriters. The production is now on stage through August 24th, 2024.

Review: Some Kind of Wonderful - BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Maine State Music Theatre
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 9, 2024

Powered by poetry, fueled by raw and resilient emotion, and presented with passion and high voltage energy by a company committed to the music and message, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL triumphantly takes the stage as the finale of Maine State Music Theatre’s 2024 season. Exploring the early life and creative journey of popular music’s living legend, Carole King, BEAUTIFUL is a biographical jukebox musical that plays like a top 10 hit parade, at the same time that it tells its disarmingly, immediate and vulnerable story. With the luminous Kyra Kennedy giving a deeply authentic, earthy, and uplifting performance in the title role, BEAUTIFUL offers both absorbing entertainment and inspiration.

Video: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Maine State Music Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 7, 2024

Get a first look at Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Maine State Music Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.