Friday, August 26, 2011

Fast, Fun and Frothy! ‘Legally Blonde’ to Open at Ogunquit Playhouse August 24


OGUNQUIT—
OMG, like, you totally have to see “Legally Blonde the Musical,” on stage August 24 through September 17. Get your pink on and join the Ogunquit Playhouse for this all-singing, all-dancing, feel-good musical comedy that is so much fun it shouldn’t be legal!
This award-winning Broadway musical sensation is based on the hit movie of the same name and follows college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods, played by Broadway’s Becky Gulsvig, as she puts down the credit card, hits the books and heads for Harvard Law School in pursuit of her boyfriend Warner, who just dumped her for someone more serious. There she encounters Professor Callahan, played by the Tony Award winning actor Michael Rupert, and proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. “Legally Blonde the Musical” will take you from the social whirl of California campus life to Harvard’s halls of justice with our heroine Elle, her Chihuahua, Bruiser and the bull-dog-toting-hairdresser Paulette, played by none other than Emmy Award winning Playhouse favorite Sally Struthers. “Legally Blonde the Musical” was nominated for 7 Tony Awards in 2007 and won the Olivier Award for Best Musical this past June in London.
Becky Gulsvig is reprising the role of Elle Woods after 2 years in the 1st National Tour of “Legally Blonde,” for which she received a Helen Hayes Award nomination. Becky was also a member of the original Broadway cast of Legally Blonde as (Leilani/understudy Elle/Serena/Margot) and starred in “Hairspray” as Amber Von Tussle. The Tony Award winning actor Michael Rupert joins the cast as professor Callahan, the role he originated on Broadway (as well as the MTV Presentation). Mr. Rupert’s other Broadway credits include “Ragtime,” “Falsettos” (Tony nomination/LA Ovation Award), “City of Angels,” “Mail,” “Sweet Charity” (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), “Shakespeare’s Cabaret,” “Pippin,” and “The Happy Time” (Tony nomination, Theater World Award).
Sally Struthers is best known for her comedic roles and is a highly acclaimed actress of stage, television and screen, winning two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for her performances in television’s groundbreaking series “All in the Family.” She starred in the Fox television series “9 to 5,” her own CBS series “Gloria” and had recurring roles in the CBS comedy “Still Standing” and the CW’s highly acclaimed “Gilmore Girls.” Sally appeared last year at the Ogunquit Playhouse as Mama Morton in the hit production “Chicago.”
Director for the Ogunquit production is Marc Bruni, whose relationship with “Legally Blonde” began as the Associate Director on Broadway, and then with the London and U.S. Tours and MTV’s “Search for Elle Woods.” In addition to his many directing credits in regional theatres across the county, he has been associated with Walter Bobbie, Kathleen Marshall, Jerry Mitchell and Jerry Zaks on fourteen Broadway shows including this year’s Tony winning revival of “Anything Goes.” Rusty Mowery joins the creative team as choreographer. Rusty has been part of “Legally Blonde” since its original workshop production in New York and is the Associate Choreographer for both the London and UK National Tour productions. In addition, Rusty has danced on Broadway in the casts of “Legally Blonde,” “Hairspray,” “Seussical,” “Ragtime” and “Cats.”
Featured in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of “Legally Blonde” are two of Bill Berloni’s dogs, Frankie the Chihuahua and Chloe the Bulldog. Bill Berloni is the top recognized trainer for theatrical animals in the U.S. and was the 2011 recipient of a Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre, honoring his 30 years of rescuing shelter dogs and humanely training them for a career in the entertainment industry. Bill’s animals have appeared in hundreds of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, tours, movies and television shows all starting with “Annie” in 1977. Frankie will reprise his role as Bruiser after touring with Becky Gulsvig in the original Broadway tour. Chloe will return to the role of Rufus, the role she originated on Broadway.
The fall ushers in one of the most stunning Broadway blockbusters of all time, “Miss Saigon,” an epic love story that will touch your heart and haunt your memory, on stage September 21 through October 23. This compelling tale, a modern variation of “Madame Butterfly” by the creators of “Les Misérables,” shares the emotional story of an American GI and his love affair with a Vietnamese girl in a world torn apart by war. From the first sound of a helicopter flying as the sun rises over Saigon during the Overture, to the show’s powerful ending, “Miss Saigon” will take you on a touching journey about unwavering love and self sacrifice. The emotionally powerful score features the show stopping “The Movie in My Mind,” “I Still Believe,” “Why God Why” and “The American Dream.”
Take advantage of Super Saver seats and new standard price rollbacks now available online or through the Box Office. Prices range from $49 to $76.50. 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 until October 23, 2011. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or by calling the local box office at 207-646-5511.
Photo caption: Becky Gulsvig as Elle Woods with Frankie the Chihuahua as Bruiser, starring in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of “Legally Blonde the Musical” on stage from Aug. 24 through Sept. 17. (Photo by Joan Marcus)

Museums of Old York to Host Fourth Annual Antiques Show


YORK—
The fourth annual antiques show at the Museums of Old York will take place September 9-11. This boutique show will feature distinguished antiques dealers, including Birchknoll Antiques, Running Battle Antiques, John Hunt Marshall, Hanes and Ruskin, Philadelphia Print Shop, Springers Jewelers, Nicoll Fine Art and Antiques, W.M. Schwind, Jr., Antiques & Fine Art, Nancy Prince, James H. LeFurgy, Sears and Tither, Patricia Anne Reed, The Leather Bucket, Donna Kmetz, White’s Nautical Antiques, Oriental Rugs Ltd, and Hermitage Antiques. The Antiques Show will highlight exceptional silver and brass, furniture, paintings, ceramics, clocks, jewelry, oriental rugs, textiles and folk and decorative art. A complete list of participating exhibitors is available online at www.oldyork.org. Proceeds from the show support the museum’s education, outreach and curatorial programs, which serve over 20,000 children and families each year.
The Old York Antiques Show is supported by the following sponsors: Kennebunk Savings, York Harbor Inn, Hap Moore Antiques-Auctions, The York Antiques Gallery, Eldredge Lumber & Hardware, The Framing Alternative, Law Office of James B. Bartlett, Morgillo Financial Management, Period Design Restoration, York Hospital. The media sponsor for this year’s event is Maine Home+Design.
The Old York Antiques Show will begin with a preview party on Friday, September 9th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Museums of Old York’s Visitor Center, 3 Lindsay Road, York Village, Maine. Guests will have an exclusive preview of dealer booths and the first opportunity to purchase antiques while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and live music. Tickets are $75 and include a two-day pass to the Antiques Show. Patrons who donate $125 will receive a ticket to the Preview Party, be recognized at the event and invited to a Saturday evening reception to honor the exhibitors and sponsors. Tickets to the Preview Party can be purchased in advance by calling (207) 363-4974. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
The Preview Party will include a very popular Spending Spree Raffle. Raffle tickets are $20 each or three for $50. The winner (or winners, depending on how many tickets are sold) will have an opportunity to spend $1,000 at the Preview Party, September 9 and/or at the Antiques Show, September 10-11. The drawing will take place Friday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. on the Remick Barn bluestone terrace. Raffle Tickets can be purchased by calling (207) 363-4974.
The Antiques Show runs Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Museums of Old York’s Visitor Center, 3 Lindsay Road, York Village, Maine. Admission is $10 and includes a two-day ticket to the Museums of Old York.
For a full list of the Antiques Show Dealers, visit www.oldyork.org/visit/antiquesshow.html.
Photo caption: The 4th Annual Antiques Show at the Museums of Old York will be held Sept. 9-11. (Courtesy photo)

Hadlock Has Talent: Sea Dogs Looking for Local Acts to Perform at Game


PORTLAND—
The Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, are looking for talented local individuals to perform at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs will host a “Hadlock Has Talent” contest; the winners will be able to perform at the Sea Dogs’ final game of the 2011 season on September 5th when the Sea Dogs take on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 1:00 p.m.
Can you juggle? Are you a comedian? A daring gymnast or tumbler? Individuals or groups who feel as though they have what it takes to entertain the fans between innings, before the game or as fans enter the ballpark on the front plaza are asked to put together a video and send it to the Sea Dogs. Videos can be submitted to HadlockHasTalent@gmail.com. All acts must be family appropriate.
The Sea Dogs’ front office staff will review all entries and select the top acts to perform at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs’ staff will also be asking for your input, we’ll post several of the entries on our Facebook page and judge the act based upon how many fans like the act.
All videos must be received by Wednesday, August 31. Videos must be in electronic format, YouTube links are also acceptable and must be sent to HadlockHasTalent@gmail.com. Sorry no DVDs, VHS, etc. will be accepted.
Please contact Liz Riley at lriley@seadogs.com or 207-874-9300 with any questions regarding the contest.
Tickets for all remaining 2011 Sea Dogs’ home games are available and can be purchased by calling 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com. (Courtesy image of Sea Dogs logo)