Musical theater is one of my passions in life, and seldom has this passion been more perfectly satisfied than with Ogunquit Playhouse’s current offering. “Nice Work If You Can Get It” is belly-busting funny and the music is brilliantly melodic and witty. Two of Maine’s top classical music festivals are in the waning days of […]

Sidetracked by the hoopla at Marcy’s Diner, this overdue list of where a 7-year-old From Away might like to dine is reader-driven. The suggestions also allow me to respond to a question (see below) that’s stuck in my craw. 1 — “Smitty’s Cinema in Windham,” said Loraine T. of Casco. “We get a lot of family […]

Timing is everything. With tourist season in full swing, my Blue-eyed Yankees Fan volunteered me to whip up a list of close-to-Portland activities for a 7-year-old kid From Away. Last week’s column asked readers for dining recommendations. Follow-up reporting on those recommendations, and the whole kids-in-restaurants thing, wasn’t something I was excited about. After all, […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Wednesday 7/29 “Land of Horses,” book talk and signing with author Chris Lombard, 6:30 p.m., free, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Freeport, 865-3307, freeportlibrary.com. Film “Gueros,” Friday, July 24, 6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26, 2 p.m., $8, students $6, Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland, 775-6148, […]

As the middle of the summer approaches, a wealth of possibilities beckon in the performing arts. The hottest tickets are for a pair of masterpieces of two different branches of the musical stage. American musical theater is represented by one of Broadway’s enduring romantic tuners, Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man.” It’s happening through Aug. 1 […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Monday 7/20 “The Fisherman,” discussion with author Vaughn Hardhacker, 6:30 p.m., free, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Freeport, 865-3307, freeportlibrary.com. Tuesday 7/21 “Chantarelle,” book release reception with author G.A. Morgan, 5-7 p.m., free, Islandport Press, 247 Portland St., Yarmouth, 846-3344, islandportpress.com. Film “The Last Sentence,” Friday, July 17, 6:30 p.m., and Saturday and […]

Alfresco bluegrass has long been part of Maine’s summer arts scene, and the genre’s defining pick and twang will be heard this weekend in Brunswick. Located on a campground in the rural southern sector of town, the White’s Beach Bluegrass Festival is a two-day affair that primarily features Maine and New Hampshire artists. Derek Bermel […]

Even though he’s From Away, my Blue-Eyed Yankees Fan fancies himself a member of the Greater Portland Welcome Wagon. “Yeah, my girl lives up in Portland,” he’ll say whenever Maine is mentioned, regardless of the context. “She’s like a restaurant and bar freak. When wees (we) go out, she can’t go to just one place. […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Friday 7/10 “Winning the Losing Battle,” discussion with local author Erica Bartlett, noon, free, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland, 871-1700, portlandlibrary.com. Monday 7/20 “The Fisherman,” discussion with author Vaughn Hardhacker, 6:30 p.m., free, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Freeport, 865-3307, freeportlibrary.com. Tuesday 7/21 “Chantarelle,” book release reception with author G.A. Morgan, […]

With the Fourth of July behind us, there’s no question that the summer schedule of performing arts is now in full swing in all corners of southern Maine. Among the major items this week, the Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival gets underway with a concert that features two big works by two of the biggest names […]