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WALDOBORO - Continuing a summer celebration of Americana, musical fun and frivolity will take to the Waldo Theatre stage on Friday, July 19, with “The Taffetas,” a musical journey through the fabulous ‘50s.
The curtain rises on the nostalgic musical comedy at 8 p.m. Friday. Subsequent performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, and Thursday through Saturday, July 25-27; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21; and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28.
Conceived and composed by Rick Lewis, with additional material by Arthur Whitelaw, “The Taffetas” is the light-hearted story of four singing sisters from Muncie, Ind., who form a quartet in the 1950s and set out to make their television debut, aspiring one day to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Recalling an age of innocence, the show features more than 30 favorite tunes from the ‘50s, sung in four-part harmony, including “Mr. Sandman,” “Sincerely,” “I’m Sorry,” “Old Cape Cod,” “Where the Boys Are” and “Allegheny Moon.”
The Waldo production, the second of its summer season, is directed and choreographed by Kevin R. Brown of Warren, with musical direction and piano accompaniment by Sybil Gleason of Union.
Harmonizing as the four singing sisters are Nancy Durgin of Wiscasset as Kaye; Jan Crosson of Topsham as Peggy; Kate Josephs of Alna as Donna; and Susan Morse of Newcastle as Cheryl.
Durgin has appeared in many concerts and musicals at the Waldo and other theaters statewide. She most recently played Faye Templeton in the Waldo’s “George M!.,” as well as the title role in “Mame” and Dolly Levi in”Hello, Dolly.” Last summer Durgin and Crosson appeared at the Waldo in Jim Colby’s original musical, “Swingin’ Down the Lane.” Along with Morse, they opened for The High Ryder Golden Oldies Band at the Waldo with their 1950s singing group, The Earth Angels.
Crosson has appeared with numerous theater groups in Maine, playing roles in such shows as “Tommy,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Cabaret.”
Having performed in local community theater productions, musical revues and choral groups, Morse’s favorite roles include Anna in “The King and I,” Marian in “The Music Man,” Carrie in “Carousel” and Yum-Yum in “The Mikado.”
A member of the St. Cecilia Chamber Choir, Josephs has performed in Philadelphia theater and New England summer stock, where she appeared in “Private Lives,” “The Misanthrope,” “Dark of the Moon,” “Stop the World I Want to Get Off,” and Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
Early reservations are suggested. Ticket prices are $15 for orchestra seats; and for balcony seats, $13 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 832-6060.
Japanese pianist plays Round Top
DAMARISCOTTA — Known for her technical mastery and musical sensitivity, pianist Reiko Aizawa will perform an all-Beethoven concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, in Darrows Barn, Round Top Center for the Arts, Business Route 1.
Born in 1974 in Japan, Aizawa began piano lessons at age five. In 1986 she was awarded first prize in her division at the 40th All-Japan Student Music Competition, and in 1987 she made her recital debut at the YMCA in Tokyo.
Aizawa came to the attention of Alexander Schneider, who engaged her as a soloist with his Brandenburg Ensemble at the opening concerts of Tokyo’s Casals Hall. Later he presented Reiko in her U.S. debut at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.
In succeeding seasons, Aizawa performed in solo and orchestral engagements throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, including Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall and Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. She has participated in such festivals as the Marlboro Music Festival, Vermont; Kammermusik Festival Moritzburg, Germany; and the Evian Festival, France.
Also a chamber musician, Aizawa has performed with the Guarneri, Shanghai and Orion string quartets. As a recitalist, she has played in many North American cities, at the Caramoor International Festival, and at Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival.
Highlights of her 2002-03 season include a tour of Japan, chamber music concerts with the Shanghai Quartet and Philomusica, and a concerto performance with the Binghampton Philharmonic.
In 1996 Aizawa received a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, where she worked with Peter Serkin. She is also a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where she was awarded the Rachmaninoff Prize and studied with Mieczyslaw Horszowski, Seymour Lipkin and Serkin. A Steinway Artist, she resides in Philadelphia.
Tickets are $14 for Round Top members, $16 for non-members and free to those under age 18. For reservations, call 563-8191.
Allen heads list in Waldo line-up
WALDOBORO — Maine’s own Jerry Allen will return from California to appear in concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St.
A native of Waldoboro, Allen is known for his original compositions and his talents as a vocalist and pianist, as well as for his performances in Waldo Theatre musicals.
Appearing with the singer/ songwriter will be Allen’s sister, Kim Brown. Together they will perform old favorites as well as songs from his newest CD, “Secret Rhythm.” Orchestra seats are $12; and balcony seats are $10 for adults and $8 for children under 12.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28, “Ladies, Loves & Hermits — Music Jewels for a Summer Day” will be presented in the Waldo Theatre Annex, 47 Glidden St. Pianist Sharon MacCallum, soprano Jessica Hornsten and clarinetist David Welker will perform music by Mozart, Hugo Wolf, Purcell, Barber, Puccini, Bernstein, Rachmaninoff and Schubert. All seats are $8.
Families will enjoy an evening of entertainment by Bob Nickerson at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Known as “The Jock-ular Juggler,” he specializes in comedy and juggling sporting goods, such as baseballs and hockey sticks, and dribbles more basketballs than the Harlem Globetrotters. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under.
Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 8 p.m. marks the return of The High Ryders Golden Oldies Band. Back by popular demand after two Waldo appearances, the band specializes in dance music of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. Those who attend in costume will win a chance on prizes. Orchestra seats are $12; balcony seats are $10 and $8.
The Waldo will host The Angel Band for an evening of Irish music at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Featuring works by Ireland’s national composer, Turlough O’Carolan, the band performs traditional jigs, reels, airs and hornpipes, as well as contemporary compositions in the Celtic genre. Tickets are $15 for orchestra seats; and $13 and $11 for balcony seats.
For reservations to all Waldo events, call 832-6060.