ALL TICKETS NOW ON SALE: OPERA HOUSE ARTS’ 14TH SUMMER SEASON AT THE STONINGTON OPERA HOUSE AND BURNT COVE CHURCH

BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE UPCOMING SCHEDULE, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Opera House Arts (OHA) launches into spring with a full lineup of live music and theater beginning Memorial Day weekend with a special concert featuring rock singersongwriter Valerie Orth and the island’s own Mike Billings. The Sunday, May 26 concert drives a highly diverse 14th summer season for OHA, one that includes stunningly original theatrical and dance interpretations of New England artists including Edna St. Vincent Millay and Edward Hopper, and ranges from some of North America’s best indy music to the returns of soprano Suzanne Nance and jazz pianist Fred Hersch and a series of both traditional and contemporary classical music at the Burnt Cove Church. All tickets are on sale as of Monday, April 29, 2013 at the Opera House box office, corner of Main and School Streets in downtown Stonington or here.

“OHA’s focus is on making new theater, right here in Maine—we don’t import shows ready-made,” said Executive Director Linda Nelson. “Even a classic such as Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, in July, is a production we create, with our own distinctive take and original musical score, here in Stonington.”

Responding to audience input, in addition to live theater and dance OHA is offering a greater number of concerts over the next six months than in previous seasons. Following closely on Orth, described as “soulful, genuine, and edgy” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, is Gypsophilia, the young, seven piece Django Reinhardt-inspired ensemble from Halifax, Canada known for their killer live shows. June’s P.S., I Love Music, hosted by Grammy winning pianist Paul Sullivan, will feature Maine’s most effervescent soprano and MPBN radio host and music director Suzanne Nance, who wowed island audiences in 2012 with her sold out opening show at OHA’s Burnt Cove Church venue. And anchoring August is the legendary Jonathan Edwards on August 24

“OHA is also bringing a chamber music series to the Burnt Cove Church, highlighted by a solo appearance by violinist Johnny Gandelsman of the Grammy-nominated Brooklyn Rider and featuring the eclectic work of Heidi Powell and Richard Hsu in numerous combinations. Two Opera House favorites— Samba Meets Jazz (July 23) and Guitar Masters (August 11)—provide context for new, up and coming sensations such as indie singer-songwriter Adrien Reju (July 28), Juliet and the Lonesome Rodeos (August 17), and Montana Skies (September 14).

Opera House Arts (OHA) is one of only a handful of year-round theaters in Maine to operate under an Actors Equity Small Professional Theater contract. OHA not only presents but commissions and produces new work from Maine artists. The Opera House, part of the Maine Performs network, has become a noted destination for performance in Maine. Showing movies nearly continuously since 1918, the Opera House converted to true digital cinema in March 2013 and is open 52 weeks a year with a full schedule of film and exciting original events unlike the schedule of any other theater in Maine.

GRAMMY WINNER PAUL SULLIVAN’S TALK SHOW/PERFORMANCE SERIES AT THE STONINGTON OPERA HOUSE TO FEATURE SUZANNE NANCE, GORDON GOTTLIEB, JESSICA CHEN

Opera House Arts and Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Paul Sullivan are thrilled to announce the third season of Paul’s new, live talk show and performance series at the Stonington Opera House: PS, I Love Music: Musical Expeditions with Paul Sullivan and Friends. The live performance is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, at 7 pm. Like those before it, this show spotlights Sullivan’s personal network of fascinating musicians and composers, giving audiences a warm, intimate look at the world of music, from outstanding young Maine musicians to nationally renowned artists. This season, the show features two new components: a vocal master class on Friday, June 21 from 4-6 pm with one of the guests, soprano Suzanne Nance; and a second performance of the show in Boothbay Harbor at the Boothbay Opera House on Sunday, June 23. Additional guests include percussionist Gordon Gottlieb and Bay Chamber Concerts Young Stars of Maine Award winner Jessica Chen.

“The concept is to take the audience backstage to the ‘green room’ of a concert hall, where the musicians are hanging out, maybe jamming a bit, or just talking about the things musicians talk about with each other,” Sullivan said. “Musicians are often quite unpredictable, passionate, and funny. I expect our conversations will be quite an adventure.”

P.S. I Love Music gives audiences a chance to enjoy one of Maine’s favorite performing artists, host and series creator PAUL SULLIVAN, doing what he does best: playing music and having fun with his friends and fellow musicians. In the professional world, Paul is unique in crossing and merging different musical genres, from classical to jazz, Broadway to New Age. He has played and associated with many of the world’s greatest musicians, from Leonard Bernstein to Paul Winter, with whom he won a Grammy Award. As a soloist, with his trio, and as a member of the Paul Winter Consort, he has played concert tours in most of the United States and Europe, as well as Croatia, Israel, Costa Rica, and Japan. He has also performed with some legendary orchestras, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy and the Boston Pops under both Arthur Fiedler and Keith Lockhardt. As a jazz player he has worked in some of New York’s most prestigious clubs, including Sweet Basil, The Village Vanguard, and Bradley's, playing with a wide variety of jazz masters from Benny Goodman to Tommy Flanagan. His 13 CDs have sold over 300 thousand copies and have won 3 Indie Awards, and his most recent choral compositions, “River” and “Whisper” debuted to local and national acclaim. At the same time, Paul has endeared himself to young audiences around the State, as a public school teacher, a mentor for the Maine Alliance for Arts Education, and as a private instructor. Sullivan brings decades of experience, funny stories, deep insights and beautiful music to each edition of PS I Love Music.

SUZANNE NANCE is a singer, actor, and broadcaster. Recognized for her “crystalline soprano voice and sparkle on the stage,” she is admired for her versatility, from the concert stage to the operatic arena. Suzanne has performed with opera companies, orchestras and musicians in the US and in Europe, most recently in Prague, London, Philadelphia, Chicago, and across Maine. Recent highlights include singing with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and conductor Robert Moody, the Daponte String Quartet, Bay Chamber Concerts in Carmina Burana conducted by Anthony Antolini, as well as performances in a “Velvet Revolution” concert (featuring singers from around the world) in Prague, Czech Republic, L’Incoronazione di Poppea in Novafeltria, Italy performing the role of Ottavia and Francis Poulenc’s Gloria with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist. A recipient of the David Leibig Memorial Grant and Robert J. Lurtsema Scholarship Award (AMPPR) for performance of and dedication to classical music, Nance has enjoyed performances on PBS and NPR as well as a guest appearance on Good Morning America.

On June 22, Grammy Award winning pianist Paul Sullivan returns to the Opera House with his third season of his show P.S., I Love Music. This year’s show will feature Maine’s most effervescent soprano and MPBN radio host and music director Suzanne Nance, who wowed island audiences in 2012 with her sold out opening show at OHA’s Burnt Cove Church venue, as well as innovative percussionist Gordon Gottlieb and pianist and violinist Jessica Chen, a Bay Chamber Young Star winner. The popular show will tour to the Boothbay Opera House for a second performance on Sunday, June 23. Nance will precede the concert with a vocal master class for local singers on Friday, June 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the Stonington Opera House.

Hailed as the “Queen of Classical” by the Portland Press Herald’s Bob Keyes, Suzanne Nance is currently the Music Director for Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN). Suzanne produces and hosts the weekday morning classical music program from 9 a.m. to noon on MPBN Radio. In the recent past, she has interviewed artists such as Jessye Norman, Hilary Hahn, Joshua Bell, Alisa Weilerstein, Chris Thile, Renée Fleming and Yefim Bronfman. Nance is also the Creator, Executive Producer and Host of MPBN’s Maine Arts! Series on Radio, TV and the Web.

Nance will share her knowledge and experiences on the stage of the Stonington Opera House from 4-6pm June 21st in a Master Class. The Master Class will include substantial coaching for singers in front of a live audience. Those interested in participating in the Master Class should call 207-367-2788 to register; the fee is $25. All those wishing to attend and observe the class are welcome.

GORDON GOTTLIEB, percussionist, is on the faculty at Juillard School of Music. He has been a soloist with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the London Symphony, the Royal Philharmonics, American Composers Orchestra, and the New York Chamber Symphony. He has additionally performed/recorded with jazz, rock, world, and popular musicians, including Miles Davis, Ravi Shankar, Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, Paul Winter, Sting, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder.

For each edition of PS, I Love Music, Paul seeks out some of Maine’s best young talent. JESSICA CHEN is a young pianist and violinist who, earlier this year, won the Bangor Symphony Concerto Competition. She is also the winner of the Bay Chamber’s Young Stars of Maine A. H. Chatfield prize in 2010, and placed second in the Maine State Pine Tree Piano Competition in 2011 and 2009. Along with piano, Jessica has also been studying violin since the age of 11. She is concertmistress in the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonicas well as a first violinist in the All -State Orchestra. She has performed in several master classes, including a master class with the distinguished Lara St. John. Jessica is also an avid chamber musician, having participated many times in Kneisel Hall’s program for Maine students as well as Bay Chamber’s Next Generation program.

Each guest will be featured in a 20-minute segment, performing and talking with Paul. There will also be opportunities for questions from the audience.

Premium reserved seating is $25, with $20 general admission also available. Island Students are Free. Tickets may be purchased online at HERE or through the Opera House Arts’ box office, 207-367-2788.

OPERA HOUSE ARTS’ CONCERT SERIES OPEN MAY 26 WITH VALERIE ORTH, MIKE BILLINGS

On Sunday, May 26 at 7 p.m., the Stonington Opera House will be shaking with the strains of one of the regions best guitar players, Mike Billings. Billings and his band, Big Time, will open for national indie touring sensation Valerie Orth in the first of an expanded series of concerts offered by Opera House Arts (OHA) at both its Stonington Opera House and Burnt Cove Church locations.

Orth was last seen in northern Maine at the KahBang Festival in August 2012. She has most recently opened for Shawn Colvin and her music is described as “soulful, genuine, and edgy” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Her concert at the Opera House, with her full Just A Crush band, precedes a NYC appearance at Arelene’s Grocery.

Billings released a new double album, Re:Connect in late 2012. Bangor Daily News music critic Emily Burnham wrote, “It goes without saying that Billings is an effortlessly talented guitarist. Seriously, it kills me how good the guy is. There’s a little bit of all kinds of things in there — Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Frusciante, Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic, Tom Morello.”

The rock of Orth and Billings will be closely followed, on Saturday, June 1, by Gypsophilia, a young, seven piece Django Reinhardt-inspired ensemble from Halifax, Canada. The band, known for their killer live shows, will make the Opera House their first stop on a U.S. tour.

On June 22, Grammy Award winning pianist Paul Sullivan returns to the Opera House with his third season of his show P.S., I Love Music. This year’s show will feature Maine’s most effervescent soprano and MPBN radio host and music director Suzanne Nance, who wowed island audiences in 2012 with her sold out opening show at OHA’s Burnt Cove Church venue, as well as innovative percussionist Gordon Gottlieb and pianist and violinist Jessica Chen, a Bay Chamber Young Star winner. The popular show will tour to the Boothbay Opera House for a second performance on Sunday, June 23. Nance will precede the concert with a vocal master class for local singers on Friday, June 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the Stonington Opera House.

OHA is also bringing a chamber music series to the Burnt Cove Church, highlighted by a solo appearance by violinist Johnny Gandelsman of the Grammy-nominated Brooklyn Rider and featuring the eclectic work of Heidi Powell and Richard Hsu in numerous combinations.

Opera House Arts’ expanded concert series at the Stonington Opera House also includes:

July 23: Samba Meets Jazz

July 28: Adrien Reju

August 2: 13th Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival: Yosvany Terry Quintet

August 3: 13th Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival: Fred Hersch Trio

August 4: Hymn for Her

August 11: Guitar Masters annual roots concert

August 17: Juliet and the Lonesome Rodeos

August 24: Jonathan Edwards

September 14: Montana Skies

Opera House Arts new classical series at the Burnt Cove Church includes the following:

June 25: The Hancock Quartet. Lead by Heidi Powell and Richard Hsu, performing string quartets by Beethoven and Mendelssohn and duet for violin and cello by contemporary composer William Bolcolm.

July 9: violinist Johnny Gandelsman of Brooklyn Rider.

July 16: the Baroque Orchestra of Maine.

July 30: Sonatas and Show Pieces for Violin and Piano

August 20: Trio Nuevo, Leah Zelnick, violin; Angel Hernandez,viola; Caroline Reiner-Williams, cello

Opera House Arts (OHA) is one of only a handful of year-round theaters in Maine to operate under an Actors Equity Small Professional Theater contract. OHA not only presents but commissions and produces new work from Maine artists. The Opera House, part of the Maine Performs network, has become a noted destination for performance in Maine. Showing movies nearly continuously since 1918, the Opera House converted to true digital cinema in March 2013 and is open 52 weeks a year with a full schedule of film and exciting original events unlike the schedule of any other theater in Maine.

To purchase tickets online, click here. The Opera House Box Office, at the corner of Main and School Streets at the base of the commercial fish pier in downtown Stonington, is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of scheduled shows.

MAINE’S SAVAGE BEAUTY, EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY, COMES TO LIFE IN STONINGTON

he life and work of Pulitzer Prize winning Maine poet Edna St. Vincent Millay will be celebrated and explored over the next two months by Opera House Arts (OHA) at the Stonington Opera House, beginning with a community reading of the acclaimed biography Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay. The book is available at all local libraries and the facilitated community discussion will be held Monday, June 17 at 7 p.m. (please call for location). The community discussion will be followed by a guest author appearance by the biography’s award-winning author, Nancy Milford, on Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. at the Stonington Opera House. Both events precede and set context for the opening of an Opera House Arts’ original production, The Millay Sisters, A Cabaret, to be performed at the Burnt Cove Church July 5-7 and July 12-14. A site specific, one night only performance of the cabaret will be set at a private home, with dinner, as Opera House Arts’ 14th Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, July 8.

“Millay was a ground breaking writer, both for Maine and as a woman,” said Judith Jerome, OHA’s Artistic Director. “She stands alongside a very small handful of Maine poets, predominantly Edwin Arlington Robinson and Robert Tristram Coffey, in her accomplishments but has not always received the attention she deserves.”

Biographer Nancy Milford is best known for her biography of Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of American author F. Scott Fitzgerald, which was published to broad acclaim in 1970 and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. It spent 29 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was translated into 17 languages. Savage Beauty was published in 2001. She is currently at work on a biography of Rose Kennedy.

The facilitated community reading of Savage Beauty is free and open to the public, please call for location. Tickets for Nancy Milford are $10 and are available at the door the night of the show. For tickets and further information about The Millay Sisters, A Cabaret, please click here or call the Opera House box office at 207-367-2788.

LOCAL AUTHOR TO PREVIEW MUSICAL IN DEVELOPMENT

Opera House Arts (OHA) is pleased to announce a staged community reading and sing through, on Wednesday and Thursday, May 22-23, of a work in development by Penobscot’s Bundy H. Boit. Hatty, a play with music in two acts, is based on the life and time of Harriet Jacobs. Jacobs was the author, just before the start of the Civil War in 1861, of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, the first book to portray the sexualization of women in slavery.

2013, the bicentennial of Jacobs’ birth, is a doubly auspicious year for the further development of Hatty as it is also the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Born into slavery in North Carolina in 1813, Jacobs escaped from the plantation after years of sexual harassment and abuse at the hands of her owner, and having given birth to two children fathered by a white neighbor. She spent almost seven years hiding in a tiny attic crawl space in her grandmother’s house, unable to sit or stand, and eventually becoming permanently physically disabled. In 1842, Jacobs escaped to New York and found work as a nanny in the household of a prominent abolitionist writer, Nathaniel Parker Willis. She was eventually reunited with her children and later joined the antislavery movement, writing her anti-slavery narrative in the sentimental style of the time under the pen name Linda Brent. Its straight forward handling of the treatment of women in slavery has made Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl one of the most acclaimed slave narratives of all time.

Hattie will directed by Opera House Arts’ Artistic Director Judith Jerome, with musical direction by Win Pusey, and feature 11 community members in 15 individual roles, plus chorus. Amy Kaiser of Deer Isle will be featured as Hattie. The cast also includes Marnie Crowell, Rich Howe, Dana Douglass, Heather Wren, Brad Pusey, Dee Miller, Doug Drown, Marvin Merritt, and Sue Bolton.

Earlier versions of the play have been staged by Kevin Brown at the Waldo Theater, Bill Raiten at the New Surry Theatre, and Aynne Ames

Tickets are available at the door the night of the shows. Adults are $8 and Island Students Free.