Lizzie Hall

Review: Maine State Music Theatre's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

In a colorful, imaginative retelling of this “tale as old as time,” MSMT opens its 2024 TYA series with a revival of Robin and Clark’s version of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The production, directed by Betsy Puelle, not only offers a contemporary twist on the classic fairytale, but also layers onto that version another dimension of fantasy and fun. Setting the ancient story as a play within a modern play, Robin and Clark create the dual perspective that characterizes many of their musicals and allows the actors to break the fourth wall and engage the youngsters directly. The narrator, a schoolgirl named Cindy, fashion – often improvises - her version of the story, lobbies to have it produced, and eventually plays a pivotal role in the work. Employing MSMT’s exciting new video technology, a stellar cast of young professionals, and incorporating large-scale, whimsical puppetry into the mix, this BEAUTY AND THE BEAST proves the resilience of the source material and the creative genius of the company

Review: Kaleidoscope of Colorful Creatures and a Youthful Cast Bring MSMT's ALICE IN WONDERLAND To Life

Maine State Music Theatre closes its TYA series with an imaginative revival of Robin & Clark’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND. The third children’s production of the season features a young cast – local actors ages 11-18 from the theatre’s Summer Intensive program and the MSMT Singers - in a colorful, clever production that combines song, dance, and puppetry

MSMT Draws Large Crowd for Concert on the Mall

What better way to cap what has been billed as MSMT’s Revival Season than with a free, festive outdoor event that, despite intermittent showers, drew a large, enthusiastic crowd? That is exactly what MSMT did on August 24 when it presented its annual MSMT Concert on the Mall as part of the Brunswick Downtown Association’s summer series. In a program designed to thank the community for its loyal support of the theatre, especially during the pandemic, the seventy-five-minute concert featured performers from the company’s current main stage show, KINKY BOOTS, as well as other local artists in a rousing and engaging program of musical theatre selections.

BWW Review: A Boy with Big Dreams: MSMT's JACK & THE BEANSTALK

Maine State Music Theatre opened its Theatre for Young Audiences series with a delightful, energetic, and amusing production of Robin and Clark’s JACK AND THE BEANSTALK that drew a crowd of enthusiastic youngsters, their teachers, parents, and grandparents for the four performances on June 13.

BWW Review: A Refreshing Romp: MSMT's ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Cadenza

BWW Review: A Refreshing Romp: MSMT’s ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Cadenza MSMT returned to Freeport’s Cadenza last night for a three-show run of the 1973 Richard O’Brien cult classic, The ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Presented to a sold-out house by the Fellowship Performers, the theatre’s young artists, the colorful, outrageous, wild and wickedly funny send-up of science fiction, horror movies, and punk rock culture proved to be a refreshing romp for artists and audience.

BWW Review: MSMT Fellowship Performers' Showcase Deep in Talent

In this last week of Maine State Music Theatre’s 2021 season, despite having to cancel several productions due to Covid-related issues, the 63-year-old company demonstrated its continued vitality and commitment to delivering the best in musical theatre. With two performances, held at Freeport’s Cadenza, MSMT showcased fourteen young professionals who, together with Music Director Ben McNaboe, created one of the most vibrant cabaret evenings in recent memory. The generous more than 90-minute program featured ta varied repertoire ranging from Broadway classics to more recent shows, to pop covers in a series of ensembles, duets, and solos. The program was crafted by McNaboe, who did all the vocal coaching and led the evening from the grand piano, where he demonstrated his own versatility and impressive musicianship.

BWW Review: MSMT's Joyous SHREK, JR. Celebrates Difference and Diversity

The David Lindsay-Abaire-Jeanine Tesori musical, SHREK, JR. with its joyous celebration of difference and diversity is a perfect theatrical experience for young audiences, and MSMT’s latest production is filled with exuberance, fantasy and fun. Directed by Betsy Puelle and performed by a cast of young artists, this twisted fairytale filled with zany characters and storybook favorites takes the audience on a journey to find that “big, bright, beautiful world out there.”

BWW Review: A Tale As Old As Time Framed in a New Retelling: MSMT Launches TYA Series with Robin & Clark's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

The fact that the classic fairytale of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is said to be “a tale as old as time” did not stop the musical writing team of Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark from deciding to tell their version of the ancient story by framing it within a modern one. Their heartwarming, sweetly funny version, enlivened by song and dance, which launches MSMT Theatre for Young Audiences 2021 season, makes for a magical and engaging entertainment for the entire family.