8 Maine events include John Mellencamp musical, ABBA tribute
Weekend in Maine: From a John Mellencamp Premiere to The Black Keys, A Guide to Local Arts and Culture
Across Maine, theaters, music venues, and museums are opening their doors this weekend for a wide array of performances, community celebrations, and cultural events. From the world premiere of a new musical in Ogunquit to a rock concert at the Cross Insurance Arena and a historical festival in Portland, there are options spanning the state for residents looking to spend their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings engaged in the arts.
In Ogunquit, the Playhouse is hosting the world premiere of Small Town: A John Mellencamp Musical. The production, which runs through Nov. 1, is built around the catalog of singer-songwriter John Mellencamp. The story follows Jack and Diane, romantic leads whose relationship is tested within a community facing decline. Performances are scheduled for 2 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. on Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The show stars Dillon Klena as Jack and Morgan Higgins as Diane. Songs from Mellencamp’s repertoire, including "Small Town," "Hurts So Good," "Lonely Ol’ Night," and "Jack and Diane," feature throughout the performance. Tickets range from $40 to $180 and are available through the playhouse’s website.
Music fans traveling south of the capital can catch two major tributes at the Waterville Opera House, located at 1 Common St. On Thursday at 7:30 p.m., The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA performs Swedish pop classics such as "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Waterloo," and "Money, Money, Money." Tickets for that show range from $56 to $141. The following evening, the venue hosts Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute, with tickets priced between $50 and $60. That production also has a scheduled stop at the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor on Saturday, where tickets range from $41.48 to $73.59.
On Sunday evening, the Portland music scene will host the duo The Black Keys at the Cross Insurance Arena. The band is appearing during their Peaches ‘N Kream tour, which promotes their latest album Peaches!. The setlist is expected to feature tracks from the new record alongside established fan favorites like "Lonely Boy," "Howlin’ For You," "Tighten Up," and "Gold on the Ceiling." Singer-songwriter Jeremy Albino will open the night, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $54.50 to $163.50.
In Portland’s theater district, Good Theater presents Little Shop of Horrors at the Stevens Square Theater, 631 Stevens Ave. The production features elements of science fiction, comedy, and musical styles drawn from ’60s rock ‘n’ roll, doo-wop, and Motown. The plot centers on Seymour, a floral assistant whose life changes after encountering a carnivorous plant. Alyssa Rojecki plays Audrey opposite Damon McToy’s Seymour. Showtimes include 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, matinee and evening shows on Saturday, and a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, with the run extending through Oct. 18. Admission is $40, with a $10 rate for attendees under 30 and for students.
Maine storyteller Elizabeth Peavey returns to the stage this weekend for Quartet: Four Lenses on Love, Loss and Letting Go at The Hill Arts, 76 Congress St. Peavey is appearing after a nine-year hiatus from live performance. Her previous work, My Mother’s Clothes Are Not My Mother, ran for several years and received the Maine Literary Award for Best Drama. The new show is a one-woman production featuring four interwoven monologues delivered without a set or props and with minimal lighting and sound. Performances are set for 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door.
For food and literature enthusiasts, The State Theatre, 609 Congress St., will host an evening with Erin French, owner and chef at The Lost Kitchen in Freedom. The event is presented by Print: A Bookstore and begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday. French will be joined by pastry chef and author Zoë François, who has published 10 cookbooks. The pair will share personal stories related to cooking and ingredients. Every ticket includes a signed copy of French’s cookbook, The Lost Kitchen: Seize The Supper. Reserved seating ranges from $50 to $75.
History buffs can visit the Tate House Museum in Portland’s Stroudwater neighborhood for ColoniAle: 250 Years! 2 Beers! 3 Cheers! The festival marks its 10th anniversary and coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event focuses on the role of taverns in the lives of New Englanders during the Colonial era. Museum docents dressed in period costume will discuss historical foods and beverages. Admission is $35 in advance or $40 at the door, and all attendees receive a Tate House pint glass along with two pints of Mast Landing signature ale or Downeast Hard Cider. The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
In Waterville, the Wabanaki Artist Celebration takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Castonguay Square. The gathering highlights Wabanaki culture, creativity, and community. Activities include storytelling and flute performance by Mi’kmaq storyteller David Lone Bear Sanipass, a birch bark etching session with Passamaquoddy artist Eric Otter Bacon, an artisan market, and drumming by Turning Eagle. Emcees for the day are Chris Newell and Dwayne Tomah. Also on Saturday, the Maine Film Center at 93 Main St. offers a free screening of the documentary Voices from the Barrens: Native People, Blueberries and Sovereignty.
For ticket and schedule information, event organizers direct the public to ogunquitplayhouse.org, watervillecreates.org, criteriontheatre.org, goodtheater.com, tatehouse.org, thehillarts.me, and statetheatreportland.com.
