Midcoast Youth Theater presents Annie
BRUNSWICK — The Midcoast Youth Theater is presenting the classic tale of little orphan Annie the Musical during five performances at the Crooker Theater at Brunswick High School.

The shows are at 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 and Dec. 16. Advanced tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children under 5. Tickets are $15 at the door.

The cast includes one scruffy dog, 50 children and many adults.

Set in the 1930s New York City during the Great Depression, the story follows Annie, a fiery, young orphan girl who dreams of finding her parents one day. Annie runs away from the orphanage, run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan, and rescues a friendly stray dog, but is caught and returned back to her former home. Her hopeless situation changes when she is selected to spend the holiday at the residence of a wealthy industrialist, Oliver Warbucks.

She quickly charms the hearts of the staff, and the seemingly cold-hearted Warbucks cannot help but learn to love the young. He offers a reward to help find Annie’s parents, Hannigan’s coniving brother, Rooster, and his girlfriend plan to impersonate Annie’s parents to get the reward for themselves. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is on hand to lend a hand and helps discover the devious plot.

The show is led by director Tammy Holmes, along with musical director Courtney Babbidge and choreographer Curtis Brothers. Songs include “Maybe,” “Tomorrow,” “NYC,” “Easy Street” and “Never Fully Dressed without a Smile”.   

Annie, based on the book by Thomas Meehan, includes a cast of over 80 people ranging in age from 4-70 from Brunswick, Topsham, Harpswell, Bath, Freeport, Gray, Edgecomb, Gardiner and other surrounding areas.

For more information, visit midcoastyouththeater.org.

King to sign copies of new book
BRUNSWICK — U.S. Senator Angus King, I-Maine, will make two public appearances in his home state this month to sign copies of “A Senator’s Eye,” his new book that features images and captions about his work as a U.S. senator.

King will be at L.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, and at Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick from 1-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16.

The book, called “A Senator’s Eye: Celebrating Maine, Washington, and the Joys of Scraping the Windshield,” is a book of personal photographs that provides a rare insider’s look at the workaday life of the senator, whether attending high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., or watching a sunrise off the coast of Maine.

Any earnings King would have received from book sales are being donated directly to Good Shepherd Food Bank of Auburn.

“What I try to do with these pictures — and their captions — is to convey a sense of my dual life as both a Senator and an unabashed fan of my beautiful state,” King said in a press release. “Each shot tells a small story, sometimes from inside ‘the room where it happens’ and sometimes standing alone marveling at a Maine sunset. Together, they capture a personal view of places and events from a somewhat unusual vantage point.”

King was first elected as an independent to the U.S. Senate in 2012 was reelected in November. He also served two terms as the governor of Maine. He has five children and lives in Brunswick with his wife, Mary.

For more information, call 846-3344 or visit islandportpress.com.

Chocolate Church to host Christmas comedy performance
BATH — The Chocolate Church will present the Maine premier of a new holiday show called “The Santa Diaries.”

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13-15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15-16 at the Chocolate Church Arts Center.

This play is a comedy for families of all ages, not to be confused with the adults-only “Santaland Diaries,” The show interlaces the story and sentiments of “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” into a tale for the whole family to enjoy.

The story is about a self-absorbed movie star who returns home to visit his dad, who has fallen off a roof and broken his leg just weeks before Christmas. The dad is actually Santa Claus, and he may be the last one unless his son decides to become a part of the family business.

When the son comes home, he is accompanied by his manager and movie star fiancee, who get stuck in town due to a major snow storm. While at home, the son, Will Hawes, is faced with confronting his dad’s wishes for him to take up the family business or turning his script into a new blockbuster movie. Additionally, he is forced to work with his ex-girlfriend, Jessica, whom he left when he became famous.

Having been swindled into co-directing the annual Christmas play, Will’s deeply suppressed feelings begin to surface. With his guards down, Will begins to hear voices about the family gift. What will he choose? Will he save Christmas?

The entire cast—20 adults and 15 children—are local performers. The show’s mission is to encourage unique small town culture while exploring universal themes. It celebrates community and its ability to make an individual whole, while reminding us that there is a bit of Santa in of each of us.

The show is being directed by veteran professional actor, singer and director Dennis St. Pierre, the interim executive director of the Chocolate Church Arts Center. He has worked all over the world on stage, screen and in concerts, but is best known locally for his portrayals of Jean Valjean at the Maine State Music Theater in 2008 and the Heartwood Theater in 2015.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door and $10 for kids under 12. For more information, visit chocolatechurcharts.org or call 442-8455.

The Oratorio Chorale presents holiday show
BRUNSWICK — After two years of sell-out concerts, the Oratorio Chorale and Sweetest in the Gale will present five holiday performances in two locations: Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick; and Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary in Falmouth.

The show, featuring organist Bruce Fithian and harpist Mo Nichols, is an hour-long celebration for listeners of all ages, with sing-along carols, homemade cookies, snacks and hot cocoa. It includes music by Monteverdi, Benjamin Britten, Stephen Paulus and many more.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children and students under 18. Children two and younger are free.

Originally from Machiasport and currently a resident of South Portland, Nichols is the principal harpist of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. Nichols first performed with the orchestra in 2005 and has served as principal harp since 2015.

Sweetest in the Gale is an auditioned ensemble of about 30 singers. The Oratorio Chorale is in its fifth decade as a symphonic chorus committed to advancing choral music through its performances, educational and community outreach and collaborations.

For more information, visit oratoriochorale.org or call 577-3931.

Holiday celebration to feature yuletide folk music
NEWCASTLE — Hey Ho the Holly, an annual celebration of Yuletide music in the folk tradition, will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at the St. Andrews Church.

The concert will feature Christmas and Yuletide songs and tunes from both the old and new worlds. Many of the songs typically heard on stations throughout the season originated in Europe and were brought to this country by immigrants.

Performers include Doug Protsik on accordion; Sharon Pyne on Irish flute and guitar; Fred Gosbee playing 12-string guitar, fiddle and woodwinds; and Julia Lane on Celtic harp. Kaity Newell will play fiddle with a special appearance by the Oyster Creek Fiddlers.

Refreshments will be served following the show.

Admission to the concert is by suggested donation of $8 at the door. All proceeds will benefit Heifer International, an organization which helps provide livestock and agricultural training for people in need throughout the world.

For more information, call 549-5438 or e-mail castlebay@castlebay.net.