USM School Of Music Presents Multimedia Musical 35MM: A Musical Exhibition

The University of Southern Maine School of Music presents a unique musical theatre production "35mm: A Musical Exhibition." Part concert, part exhibition, part poetry jam, part performance art -- this intricately woven collection of stories re-imagines what the modern American musical can be.

Three performances will take place at the following times: 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, all at Corthell Concert Hall on the Gorham Campus. The show is sponsored by Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution.

The stories told through song in "35mm" are all based on or inspired by the eclectic photography of Matthew Murphy, a New York City-based photographer. Each photo creates a unique song, moments frozen in time; a glimmer of a life unfolding, a glimpse of something happening.

Composer Ryan Scott Oliver provides a collection of stories and photographs about life; gorgeous songs about love and loss, more complex issues like insanity, abuse and some humor too. (This show is recommended for mature audiences.)

"The score is fascinating to me because it covers so many genres such as rock, gospel, country, pop and musical comedy. Ryan Scott Oliver openly talks about some of his creative influences including Lady Gaga, The Scissor Sisters, Schubert and Rufus Wainwright. He is equally inspired by the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Stephen King and Stephen Sondheim," said Ed Reichert, USM faculty and director of the performance.

Reichert adds, "With Halloween just around the corner, at least three of the songs are timely: "Leave, Luanne" (a Southern Gothic Ghost Story), "Twisted Teeth" (a duet between two vampires), and "The Ballad of Sara Berry" (think Prom Night...)."

The cast includes: Samuel Allen (Harpswell), Matthew Boyd (Medford, NJ), Ricky Brewster (Lewiston), Andrew Carney (Millinocket), Mikayla Clifford (Yarmouth), Noli French (New Gloucester), Aaron Kircheis (Bucksport), Katie Lind (Standish), Ayann Main (Wiscasset), Megan Mayfield (Marlborough, MA), Miles Obrey (Gorham), Alyssa Pearl-Ross (Sangerville), Victoria Stackpole (Biddeford), March Steiger (Buxton), Ben Walker-Dubay (Kennebunk), Megan Walz (Portland), Meg Ward (Bangor), Abby White (Dalton, Mass.), and Ed Reichert on piano.

The band includes Lynnea Harding, associate music director, violin and viola; Catherine Begin, cello; Jake Cooper, guitar; Shannon Allen, bass; Sam Smith, drums.

Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for seniors, USM alumni and employees, and $5 for students, and can be purchased online at usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice, by phone at (207) 780-5555, or at the door.

Music and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver, based on photographs by Matthew Murphy. Vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Ryan Scott Oliver. Additional percussion arrangements by Jeremy Yaddaw. Additional guitar arrangements by Matt Hinkley. Directed by Edward Reichert.

Situated in Maine's economic and cultural center, the University of Southern Maine (USM) is a public university with 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students taking courses online and at campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston-Auburn. Known for its academic excellence, student focus and engagement with the community, USM provides students with hands-on experience that complements classroom learning and leads to employment opportunities in one of the nation's most desirable places to live.

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