Maine State Music Theatre

Last updated
Maine State Music Theatre
Bowdoin-college-memorial-hall-04.jpg
Pickard Theater at Bowdoin College
Maine Locator Map.PNG
Former namesBrunswick Music Theatre
Address1 Bath Road
Brunswick, Maine
United States
OperatorVictoria Crandall (Founder)

Curt Dale Clark (Artistic Director)

Stephanie Dupal (Managing Director)
TypeRegional theatre
Capacity 598
Opened1959
Years active64
Website
msmt.org

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is a professional performing arts organization based in Brunswick, Maine. MSMT presents a summer season of four fully staged musicals, a concert series, and a Theatre for Young Audiences series.

Contents

History

Early Years (1950s - 1970s)

MSMT began as Brunswick Music Theatre (BMT). Founded by Victoria (Vicki) Crandall, BMT opened in 1959 with a summer production of Song of Norway. In the next decade, playhouses became quite prevalent in New England. BMT was one of the few that exclusively produced musical theatre. In the 1970s, BMT changed to a non-profit organization in order to focus on establishing an intern program that would help equip young and emerging theatre artists for their intended industry. [1]

Name Change & Growing Influence (1980s - 1990s)

In 1988, BMT celebrated its 30th anniversary. Governor John R. McKernan presented an award to founder Vicki Crandall, and the organization changed its name to Maine State Music Theatre to reflect that its influence had reached past the Midcoast region of the state. By this time, the number of professional theaters in New England had been significantly reduced. MSMT was one of the very few remaining musical houses. [1]

Recent Years (2000s - 2020s)

During the late 2000s, as the severity of the housing crisis grew, MSMT was presented with an opportunity to make the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine its home base. The Board of Trustees opted to remain in Brunswick, as they were committed to remaining in the birthplace of the organization. This commitment prompted them to purchase the Maine Line Bus Garage at 22 Elm Street. The space was renovated to become a permanent home for MSMT, complete with administrative offices, rehearsal spaces and technical facilities. Performances would still be mounted in the Pickard Theater.

In 2015, MSMT announced a three-year $2 million capital campaign. The purpose of the campaign was multi-faceted:

  1. Fulfilling commitments to the organization’s partner and lessor, Bowdoin College. MSMT paid for replacement of carpeting and seats, as well as upgrades to the hearing system in Pickard Theater.
  2. Providing housing for theatre professionals.
  3. Attending to the repair and maintenance of current properties used for housing, administrative offices, technical shops, and studios.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced MSMT to cancel its previously announced 2020 season, the first time a summer season had been canceled by the organization. MSMT created the Lifeline Fund to offset losses and remain strong and prepared for 2021. Subscribers and patrons, businesses and organizations rallied to support the theatre during this difficult time, preserving the legacy of the organization. Though a 2021 season was announced, the pandemic forced MSMT to cancel all events, other than its production of Jersey Boys. In 2022, MSMT returned for a full summer season. [1]

Notable alumni

Theatre artists who have gone through the MSMT Educational Fellowship Program include: [2]

Previous Seasons

2000

Big RiverThe Sound of Music • Swingtime Canteen • TitanicVictor/Victoria

2001

FootlooseLittle Shop of HorrorsOklahoma!The Scarlet Pimpernel

2002

ChicagoThe King and IRagtimeShe Loves Me

2003

Hans Christian Anderson (Loesser) • Jekyll & HydeLa Cage Aux FollesSmokey Joe's Cafe

2004

BrigadoonFolliesKiss Me, KatePump Boys and Dinettes

2005

CatsMameMiss SaigonSwing!

2006

South PacificBeauty and the BeastAidaThe Full Monty

2007

West Side StoryThoroughly Modern MillieGrand HotelHairspray

2008

Jesus Christ SuperstarAll Shook UpThe ProducersLes Misérables

2009

The Light in the PiazzaCrazy for YouDirty Rotten ScoundrelsThe Drowsy Chaperone

2010

Always, Patsy Cline • My Fair LadyChicagoSpamalot

2011

The Marvelous WonderettesAnnieXanaduThe Wiz

2012

A Chorus LineLegally BlondeSunset Boulevard42nd Street

2013

DreamgirlsLes MisérablesGypsyMary Poppins

2014

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story • Chamberlain: A Civil War Romance (Knapp & Alper) • Seven Brides for Seven BrothersFootloose

2015

The Full MontySister ActThe Music ManYoung Frankenstein

2016

GhostEvitaFiddler on the RoofMamma Mia!

2017

Always, Patsy Cline • Guys and DollsGreaseNewsies

2018

Million Dollar QuartetBeauty and the BeastSaturday Night FeverSingin' in the Rain

2019

Sophisticated Ladies • Treasure Island (Robin & Clark) • Hello, Dolly!The Wizard of Oz

2021

Jersey Boys

2022

The Sound of MusicJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatThe Color PurpleKinky Boots

2023

TitanicBuddy: The Buddy Holly Story9 to 5Something Rotten!

2024

South PacificFunny GirlWhite ChristmasBeautiful: The Carol King Musical

MSMT Costumes

Known for its elaborate original costume designs, Maine State Music Theatre launched MSMT Costumes in 2010. This branch of MSMT rents out the original costume packages for previous shows produced by the company. MSMT Costumes also owns and rents out the costumes from the original West End production of Spamalot, designed by Tim Hatley. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Shaughnessy</span> British actor

Charles George Patrick Shaughnessy, 5th Baron Shaughnessy is a British actor. His roles on American television include Shane Donovan on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, Maxwell Sheffield on the sitcom The Nanny, and the voice of Dennis the Goldfish on Stanley for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award. He had recurring roles as Christopher Plover on The Magicians and St. John Powell on Mad Men. Shaughnessy is a series regular on ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital in the role of villain Victor Cassadine; he signed a long-term contract to remain part of the show indefinitely.

<i>Spamalot</i> Musical comedy play by John Du Prez and Eric Idle

Spamalot is a stage musical with score by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, with lyrics and book by Idle. Based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical offers a highly irreverent parody of Arthurian legend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Beach</span> American actor (1947–2018)

Gary Beach was an American actor of stage, film and television. His roles included Roger De Bris in both the stage and film productions of The Producers, which won him a Tony Award, and Lumiere in the stage musical version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award.

Bob Montgomery was an American singer, songwriter, record producer and publisher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Wimbledon Theatre</span> Theatre in London, England

The New Wimbledon Theatre is situated on the Broadway, Wimbledon, London, in the London Borough of Merton. It is a Grade II listed Edwardian theatre built by the theatre lover and entrepreneur, J. B. Mulholland, who at the time was also owner of the King's Theatre in Hammersmith and had owned the Theatre Metropole in Camberwell in the 1890's. Built on the site of a large house with spacious grounds, the theatre was designed by Cecil Aubrey Massey and Roy Young. It seems to have been the only British theatre to have included a Victorian-style Turkish bath in the basement. The theatre opened on 26 December 1910 with the pantomime Jack and Jill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainbow Stage</span>

Rainbow Stage is a not-for-profit musical theatre company and outdoor theatre operator, located in Kildonan Park in north Winnipeg, Manitoba. The covered amphitheatre seats up to 2,600 people and operates from May to September.

Victoria Matlock is an American musical theatre actress. She appeared in the Broadway and Off-Broadway productions of Million Dollar Quartet in the role of Dyanne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Fitzgerald (actor)</span> American actor and singer

Christopher Cantwell Fitzgerald is an American actor and singer. He is known for his role as Boq in the musical Wicked, Igor in the musical Young Frankenstein, and Ogie Anhorn in the musical Waitress. He earned Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award nominations for his performances in Waitress and Young Frankenstein and won the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in Waitress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">59th Tony Awards</span> Award ceremony held on June 5, 2005

The 59th Annual Tony Awards ceremony was held on June 5, 2005 at Radio City Music Hall and broadcast by CBS television. Hugh Jackman hosted for the third time in a row.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touring Broadway Awards</span>

The Touring Broadway Awards (TBAs) recognized outstanding achievement in Broadway plays and musicals that tour North America. Founded in 2001 by The Broadway League, the TBAs celebrated excellence in touring Broadway by honoring artists and productions. Until 2004, they were known as the National Broadway Theatre Awards and were held until 2009. The TBAs were bestowed at a ceremony held in New York each spring. They were the 1st national awards that honored first class touring Broadway shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway in Tucson</span> Musical events in Tucson, Arizona

Broadway in Tucson/A Nederlander Presentation is part of the nationally recognized Nederlander Producing Company of America. The Nederlander organization was awarded a contract by the City of Tucson in 2003 to present a series of Broadway musicals and special events downtown at the Tucson Music Hall and Leo Rich Theater, all of which are part of the Tucson Convention Center. Since 2003 Broadway In Tucson has been responsible for bringing over 25 Broadway shows to downtown Tucson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marriott Theatre</span> Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois, United States

The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois is a respected Chicago area regional theatre. Attached to the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, the theatre produces an average of five musicals each year, presented in the round, as well as productions aimed at younger audiences. A small, live orchestra provides accompaniment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Theatre (London, Ontario)</span> Theatre in London, Ontario, Canada

The Grand Theatre is a professional theatre located at 471 Richmond Street just south of Dufferin Avenue in London, Ontario, Canada.

Enumclaw High School is a public school in Enumclaw, Washington. The school serves about 1300 students from Enumclaw as well as local unincorporated regions of King County and cities such as Black Diamond and Greenwater. The Hornet, the school's mascot, is represented by the colors maroon and gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BrassNeck Theatre</span> Organization

BrassNeck Theatre is a theatre company based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was formed by the merger of The Grove & Rawdon Theatre Company and Stampede Theatre Company in January 2010.

Plays-in-the-Park is a government-sponsored outdoor amphitheater located in Edison, New Jersey. Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park has been in existence since 1963. Generally, three full-scale musical productions run in the summer, from June to August. In the fall, the theater is transformed into a black box where the annual children's show takes place; the indoor children's musical tradition began in 1992. In the winter, Plays-in-the-Park uses the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ to put on their final show of the season. Plays-in-the-Park has been using the State Theater for their annual production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat since 1994.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre and Conservatory (GET) is the resident professional theater at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center in Roswell, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin de Levita</span> Dutch theatre- and television producer (born 1959)

Robin de Levita is a Dutch theatre- and television producer, who produced shows on Broadway and West End and won several Tony Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogunquit Playhouse</span> Theater in Ogunquit, Maine (opened 1937)

Ogunquit Playhouse is a regional theater at 10 Main Street in Ogunquit, Maine. Ogunquit Playhouse is one of the last remaining summer theaters from the Summer Stock which still produces musical theatre. The Playhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Level of Significance "in consideration of the significant contributions made by its founder Walter J. Hartwig and the Playhouse to Performing Arts Education throughout the nation."

Drayton Entertainment is a not-for-profit professional theatre company based in Southwestern Ontario operating seven venues across the province: the original Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, Huron Country Playhouse and Playhouse II in Grand Bend, King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse in Waterloo, and Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, formerly Dunfield Theatre Cambridge in Cambridge.

References

  1. 1 2 3 msmt. "History". Maine State Music Theatre. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  2. msmt. "Alumni". Maine State Music Theatre. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  3. carol. "About » Maine State Music Theatre Costume Rental". Maine State Music Theatre Costume Rental. Retrieved 2022-07-12.

43°54′45″N69°57′57″W / 43.912552°N 69.965835°W / 43.912552; -69.965835