NEWS
updated April 21, 2008

MAD HORSE THEATRE just closed its 07-08 season with a thoroughly engaging and unique adaptation of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. Joan Sand, who has been part of the Mad Horse family since the beginning (1986) put and intriguing spin on the play by moving it from the Victorian era in Norway to the early 1950’s in the American midwest. It was beautiful and tragic. The last performance was taped and there are sure to be some clips posted on the Mad Horse MySpace page soon. Joan also directed the play - here are some of her words from the program notes:

“We’re still struggling with equality of the sexes, of course, but when I started this project I was struck by how easy it was to find a time in America not that long ago when Ibsen’s words stull rung true. It also got me thinging about those women of my parents’ generation and the limited opportunities they had for fulfullment beyond being wives and mothers. And about those who for whatever reason, male or female, were misfits in the tight little circles we all find ourselves living in still. Thus the choice to set our version the 1950’s U.S. of A. Our mothers were amazing women, weren’t they? Look at how far we’ve come in 50 years.”

During this season we have restructured the company, added board members and ensemble members, and we will be brainstorming about lots of new ideas beyond the standard three-show season: some off night short plays, readings, and other events. It’ll be a busy year!

LOOPIN’ (both the quintet and the trio versions) has been busy since January with gigs at Exeter Academy (NH), Lincoln Academy (Newcastle ME), URI Great Performances in Kingston RI (trio), the Space Gallery in Portland, Diversity Day concert for Litchfield (ME) Middle School, and we’ll cap off the season at a new venue in Portland on May 31, the Empire Dine & Dance club. We had Jeff Chipman (bassist Andy’s brother) jump up for some keyboard solos at the Space Gallery and he filled in for Gary Wittner on Diversity Day. Gary was off in Ecuador playing!

The newest wacky project, The Cane Gang, debuts in Salem MA on April 25. Fellow musicians Vincent Pasternak, Ken Lovelett, Carl Dimow, and Joel Eckhaus will join me in playing canes that double as instruments, so called “gadget” or “systems” canes. Some are antique some are brand new, built by Joel and Ken specifically for this date. And to keep the fun level high we have magician/mime/clown Michael Lane Trautman providing some magical cane bits and being our MC for this evening performance at a cane auction preview dinner. Really. Go back and click on that page.

I managed to squeeze in a three-day residency at the Leavitt Area High School in Turner, ME in March. Leavitt brings in several artists each year for their “Arts Gala” which is a concentration of classes in a number of different disciplines. Performance, literary, visual art and combinations of those all play a role in this fabulous week dedicated to the arts. I taught world music classes and had seminars with young composer/guitarists and beginner guitarists. The performing artists put on two assemblies for the whole school on the last day. It is heartening to know that there are a few schools here and there that really understand the positive impact the arts can have on students. This particular school even has an “arts wing” in the building - how great is that??!! One of the Leavitt students had just won the state Poetry Out Loud competition and will be going to the nationals! That speaks to the ongoing arts opportunities they provide their students all year long. Every school should have one of these arts galas. Some of the other artists included Pam Weeks, Karen Montenaro, Antonio Roche, and Leland Faulkner. It’s amazing how many great artists there are in this state!

The Maine Squeeze has a new member from Boothbay Harbor, Alina Blakesley. She’s a great addition to the group bringing in another accordion (that makes five when everyone is here), some Polish tunes and her wonderful singing voice. The group will welcome back Nancy 3 Hoffman from her winter hang out in Key West in just a couple of weeks. We’re preparing for a concert in Boothbay Harbor on July 8 sponsored by the Lincoln Arts Festival. Indoor concerts don’t come along as frequently as we’d like so this will be a wonderfully special night to play some different songs than we do on the fair grounds or in a parade.

Always feel free to contact me about any of these events and projects!

Barb