Jayme McDaniel Joins Ogunquit Playhouse as New Associate Producer

OGUNQUIT—
The Ogunquit Playhouse is pleased to announce the appointment of Jayme McDaniel to the position of Associate Producer. Jayme McDaniel is well acquainted with the Ogunquit Playhouse; in 2009 he directed and choreographed the highly acclaimed production of “Singin’ in the Rain,” for which he received an IRNE nomination for his choreography and in 2001 appeared in “42nd Street.” Until recently, Jayme was the Associate Artistic Director at the Ordway in St. Paul, Minnesota. As Associate Producer, Jayme will oversee all theatrical operations for the 79-year-old company, named by the press as “America’s Foremost Summer Theatre.” Responsibilities will include the supervision of all casting, production coordination, hiring of stage managers, company management, music directors and all technical crew.
Executive Artistic Director, Bradford Kenney stated, “Having Jayme McDaniel continue his close relationship with the Playhouse, now as one of the leaders of our theatrical operations, is an outstanding opportunity for the Ogunquit Playhouse. Jayme’s broad experience in top-level regional non-profit and commercial theatre operations will further enhance the Ogunquit Playhouse’s position and relationships in the American Theatre Community.”
Jayme McDaniel has vast experience as director and choreographer for many of our nation’s most respected Regional theatres including North Shore Music Theatre, the Ordway Center, Paper Mill Playhouse, the Berkshire Theatre Festival, 5th Ave Theatre, as well as on Broadway. He also enjoyed acting in his early career, which included performing at the Ogunquit Playhouse during its Summer Stock days. Most notably, Jayme was the Director/Choreographer on the final national tour of “Hello, Dolly!” with Carol Channing. In 2007, the Minneapolis Star Tribune lauded him as the Outstanding Director of a Musical.
Upon receiving the news that he was selected as the new Associate Producer for the Playhouse, Jayme stated, “I have had Playhouse fever ever since performing in “42nd Street!” I love the Playhouse, love the town and am most happy and grateful to return to the wonderful Ogunquit Playhouse as the new Associate Producer.”
Five main stage musicals are slated for the 2011 season at the Ogunquit Playhouse, running twenty-two weeks from May 25 through October 23. The season includes the new Broadway hit musical “Legally Blonde,” “Miss Saigon,” “Summer of Love,” a Golden-Age Broadway classic and a Best Musical of the year cutting-edge Broadway hit we can’t announce yet!
The Ogunquit Playhouse is America’s Foremost Summer Theatre, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from May 25 to October 23, 2011. Main Stage tickets go on sale late March and range in price from $47-$75 per show. Gift Certificates, Flex-Passes and Season Subscriptions are on sale now! For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or through the box office at 207-646-5511.
Photo caption: Jayme McDaniel recently joined Ogunquit Playhouse staff as the new Associate Producer. (Courtesy photo)

Women Veterans Honored with Plaque at State House

AUGUSTA—
Democratic and Republican lawmakers dedicated a permanent bronze plaque to honor Maine women veterans at a ceremony at the State House on February 18. Lawmakers worked with the Maine Veterans Service to raise more than $50,000 for the plaque and to compile the first recorded list of women veterans in the state.
More than two hundred and fifty people attended the ceremony to hang the plaque in the State House Hall of Flags in a prominent position among existing plaques honoring veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. There are 10,000 Maine women veterans but no recorded list existed prior to this effort.
The plaque design depicts Maine women who served in different U.S. military capacities over four centuries. This included Hannah Watts Weston, a Revolutionary War patriot, Emily W. Dana, a Civil War nurse, Patricia A. (Chadwick) Erickson, a World War II Army Air Force Service pilot, and Sgt. Annette M. Bachman, a soldier in the Maine Army National Guard who served in the War on Terrorism.
Silver commemorative coins with the image from the plaque were given to all Maine women veterans who attended the event in a show appreciation for their sacrifices.
Photo caption: Rep. Cain sings National Anthem at ceremony to honor Maine Women veterans. (Courtesy photo)

Lewia Selected For Maine Principal’s Award

WELLS—
Wells High School Principal James Daly has announced that senior Meaghan Lewia has been selected to receive the Maine Principals’ Award for 2011 from the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA).
Every year, the MPA seeks out outstanding seniors for recognition from high schools across Maine. The selection of one student is done at each participating high school, usually by the principal.
“Meaghan Lewia is a tremendous kid,” wrote WHS Principal Daly recently when asked to comment. “She is a great role model for our younger students. She is a star in the classroom, athletic field, and community. I am very proud of her efforts over the last four years.”
According to the Maine Principal’s Association, “The criteria for this award are academic excellence, and outstanding school citizenship.”
On April 2, recipients of the award and their school principals will gather in Bangor at the Spectacular Event Center for a luncheon. At that time, students will receive a plaque and a pin from their school principal plus they will have a chance to win one of five $1,000 scholarships.
“It’s an honor,” said Lewia in an interview when asked how she felt to have been picked. In her comments she added, “I just worked hard to consistently do my best and do everything I can to improve and push myself to be the best that I can be and feel good about it.”
During her high school career, Lewia has been Class Vice President, a member of Interact, and has played soccer, basketball and softball. In the summer, she has worked at the Beachcomber in Wells.
“Meaghan is a well-rounded student that has taken advantage of the optimal opportunities at Wells High School,” wrote Principal Daly in a letter to her parents. “Meaghan is truly deserving of this award for both her academic accomplishments as well as her citizenship.”
After high school, Lewia says she plans to attend Colby College where she would like to major in both math and science with a goal of working in biomedical engineering. In college, Lewia also plans to continue playing softball.
Meaghan Lewia is the daughter of Scott Lewia and Eileen Sheehy of Wells.
Photo caption: WHS student Meaghan Lewia, pictured here with Principal James Daly, was recently selected to receive the Maine Principal’s Award. (Photo by Reg Bennett)