Local Singers & Musicians to Join Joan Rivers at Merrill Auditorium, 11/22

Portland Ovations has announced that Maine artists will play a major role when Portland Ovations brings the uncensored comedienne Joan Rivers to Merrill Auditorium on Friday, November 22 at 8 pm for an outrageous and hilarious evening of comedy.

Opening the evening for Joan Rivers is a group of four male singers calling themselves "The Joan Rangers" lead by USM School of Music's Ed Reichert. "The Joan Rangers" are comprised of Jeremiah Haley, Derrick Jaques, Jimmy McDonald, Joey Valliere and Ed Reichert. Each singer is excited to return to where their passion for the arts were first peaked, Maine. All of them graduates of University of Southern Maine's School of Music and now work and live in New York City chasing their performance dreams. "The Joan Rangers" promise to warm the stage and audience perfectly for the incomparable Ms. Rivers performing some fun, sassy and sensational musical theater selections for the Portland crowd.

Taking the stage with and backing Ms. Rivers as she tells it like it is and entertains the audience with her own brand of uninhibited, uncensored comedy will be a band of five local musicians; Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Maine, Dr. Chris Oberholtzer on trombone, Barry Saunders on saxophone, Thomas Snow on piano, Jim Lyden on bass and Brad Ciechomski on drums. Most are members of the Portland Jazz Orchestra and teach music technique and education throughout Maine from Yarmouth to Bates College and USM. All have performed with notable musicians and ensembles throughout their careers and have a diverse musical background. The band is excited to share the spotlight with such a legend in the entertainment business and punctuate the evening for the local audience.

Tickets for Joan Rivers LIVE range from $41 to $63 for Portland Ovations Members and $45 to $70 for the general public.

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