Rangeley Friends of the Arts will sponsor two programs to celebrate the Christmas season:  December 7^th Christmas Concert by the Rangeley Community Chorus and December 11^th “Walk to Bethlehem” pageant.

The 34th annual “Walk to Bethlehem” to be held in Rangeley on Sunday, December 11^th is a gift to the community from The Rangeley Friends of the Arts. Walkers and carolers are invited to join the beautifully costumed pageant participants as they stroll through the streets of Rangeley, stopping at each of the four churches (Catholic, Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal) asking for a place to stay.  Each year, this reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago is a joyous evening in Rangeley.

Each year, a local couple with their new baby portrays Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.  Many townsfolk portray shepherds, angels, Three Wise Men.  The elegant costumes created by Barbara Meservey decades ago are still used today.  The celebration begins at 5:30 PM on the steps of The Rangeley Inn as the proclamation is read: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:1-15)

The evening concludes at the Church of the Good Shepherd with a program that highlights local musicians and performers.  This year’s program will feature the Rangeley Bell Ringers, Rangeley Community Chorus, Young Children’s Choir, the RLRS Choir and a dance number by the Lakeside Dance Academy.  The pageant participants will process to the front of the Church of the Good Shepherd as the Christmas scripture is read.  “Silent Night” will conclude the program as everyone will then gather in the Undercroft for refreshments and continue the celebration as a community.

2010 Photo of Walk to Bethlehem Pageant

Mary, Joseph and the Babe..                                                          Lindsay, Brad, Elyse Kennett

Three Wise Men……………Rudy Davis, Les Hoekstra, George Washington

Shepherds…………………. Ian Lillis, Nash Gagnon, Joseph Emerson

Angels…………………….…Sophie Chu-O’Neil, Amber Morrill

RFA Home Tour and Taste of Rangeley

The 2011 RFA Home Tour and Taste of Rangeley will take place on Tuesday afternoon, August 2^nd from 1-4PM.  Homes have been chosen which capitalize on Rangeley’s beautiful setting of mountains and lakes as well as excellence in architecture, construction and interior décor.  As you tour the four homes showcased in this year’s event, you will observe an array of life styles which share the common element of a passion for the unique quality of life afforded by Rangeley’s natural beauty and resources.

This year’s homes include:  DON AND MARTY THOMPSON HOME at 17 Pine Grove Heights, JACK LOUNSBURY HOME at 1 Green Drake Lane Ext. (Saddleback), JANICE ADLER HOME at 112 Dorset Road, and GARY AND JACKIE PATNODE HOME at  90 Cottage Avenue.

The tour of homes will culminate at the Country Club Inn with THE TASTE OF RANGELEY, an appetizer extravaganza catered by local restaurateurs at 4:15PM.  More than 12 restaurants will provide appetizers that will delight the festive crowd as they gather to celebrate Rangeley and the quality of life and events we are privileged to enjoy each year.  During the celebration, guests may place their raffle tickets in the basket accompanying their favorite item.

Home Tour Personal Choice Raffle includes:1).  Portland Christmas Package:

(Cross Jewelers Gift Certificate & Tickets to “The Magic of Christmas”), 2).  A season’s pass to RFA 2012 Season, 3).  12 CD package from Schooner Fare, 4).  Framed print from John Swan, 5).  2 One Day Passes to Mingo Springs Golf Course. 6).  One Day Pass to Evergreen Golf Club, 7). 2 front row seats for 2011 Walk to Bethlehem.

Tickets are available at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce at 6 Park Street.  Two options are available: 1..Home Tour (with one raffle ticket) and Taste of Rangeley beginning at 1PM ($15),  2. Taste of Rangeley beginning at 4:15PM (with one raffle ticket) ($10).

RFA DIVA

Rehearsals are well underway and the excitement is building.  Award Winning Divas sing award winning songs!–The RFA Diva shows will be held July 27, 28, 29 at the Saddleback Base Lodge in Rangeley at 7:30 PM.  This very popular show has a new location with beautiful sunsets and expansive views and new time.  Reserved seat ($20) and general admission ($15) tickets are available at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce 6 Park Road– stop by to select your seats (864-5364). The extremely talented performers have been rehearsing and preparing a very powerfully entertaining show that you will not want to miss.  Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Carrie Underwood, Queen, Rosemary Clooney and many more will delight the audience.  One thing is for sure; this show will explode with talent and be filled with many surprises

 Auditions for the summer musical Footloose will be held April 10 at 4 PM and April 11 at 6:30 PM at the Church of the Good Shepherd.  We are looking for actors – high school and adult, production staff, and all those who want to be involved in this uplifting, challenging, and fun production.  If you cannot make those dates and wish to be involved, please call 864-2963.  The show will be held at Lakeside Theater on July 1, 2, 4, 5.  Community Theatre is at its best when many people of the community become involved. 

 The season will be filled with Rangeley Community Chorus concerts, the annual Street Dance, Sidecar Heroes Concert, Summer Diva, Home Tour, Art in August, the Westerhoff Concert, the Woodland Chamber Ensemble Concert and other exciting events to enjoy this summer.

Since 1968, the RFA has sponsored a Summer Concert Series including artists ranging from classical to country, Broadway to bluegrass.

 In 1975, we expanded the program to include sponsoring performances by various artists for the youth of our community.  In 1985, this program was expanded to a full school series of several performances.  RFA works closely with the school administration arranging workshops and seminars by talented artists and performers.

 The first local musical production was performed in 1976, a condensed version of a popular Broadway musical.  Since then RFA has produced many full length musicals.  RFA considers this effort one of the most important, as it involves the entire community in the arts in the most direct way; as performers and production staff. 

 The RFA initiated the Student Lesson Program in 1980, assisting local students with the cost of private instruction in the arts.  This program is available to all students taking violin, piano, wind instruments, ballet, tap and modern dance lessons.  In 1988, RFA offered its first scholarship to a graduating senior from Rangeley Lakes Regional School who was continuing an education in the arts.  RFA is offering a week long Drama Camp for students again this summer and the Rangeley Community Chorus will present two concerts this summer.

 As RFA continues to grow and nurture the appreciation of the arts in the region, it has become very apparent that there is a great need for a facility that will enable these programs to expand and grow.  The desire is a comfortable “meeting house”/auditorium for RFA programs and other community uses.  The RFA’s long-term goal is to create classroom and studio spaces for learning, creating and displaying all the arts including but not limited to visual, creative, movement, instrumental, vocal and performing.  A 2.7 acre lot has been acquired which abuts the school property.  With the help of our longtime supporters, the RFA hopes to make this facility a reality in the next few years.

 Donations to the RFA are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.  If you wish to direct your donation to the building fund, please indicate this in the memo of your check.  Thank you and enjoy this and all the performances listed in the schedule of events.

 www.rangeleyarts.com

PO Box 333, Rangeley, ME 04970 

Pictures from Last Year’s DIVA:

Sue Downes Borko

Susy Sanders

“Poetry and Inspiration”, an upcoming concert by the Rangeley Community Chorus, takes place on Sunday, June 27 at 7:00 pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd.  The concert celebrates the marriage of fine poetry and music, including The Tiger by William Blake, The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats, and I Dream a World by Langston Hughes.  A $10.00 general admission fee will help defray costs of purchasing music for the group.

 A special feature of the program will be readings of each poem by a member of the community prior to each setting of the song.   Another song of interest on the program is the classic Simon & Garfunkel song, Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water.  

The Rangeley Community Chorus was formed in 2009 and is supported by funding from the Rangeley Friends of the Arts.  The June performance will include 18 singers from the Rangeley, Strong and Carrabassett area.  A new set of rehearsals will begin in July working towards an August 25 concert.  All adults and high school students are welcome to join in the fun.  Please call 864-3951 for more information.

 A tuneful, funny musical score meets a giant man-eating plant when Rangeley Friends of the Arts’ production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS devours the Lakeside Theater in Rangeley. One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, with a hit movie and a Broadway revival to its credit, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS opens on Thursday, June 1, 2010, and blossoms until Monday, July 5th.
In this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies, a down-and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” (voice-Connor Durgin, puppeteers-Tyler Eustis and Jaycee Mullen) grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS has book and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken.  Seymour (Tim Straub) and Mr. Mushnick (Les Hoekstra) combine voices for the unforgettable Mushnik and Son.  Audrey’s (Erin Smith) rendition of Somewhere That’s Green and Suddenly, Seymour is powerful and remarkable.  The story is revealed by the female chorus (Doo-whoppers) played by Cyndy Egan, Emily George, Ashley Quimby, Anna Soule, and Dagmar Wetherill. The dentist-Orin (Hudson DeRaps) is a character to be remembered.  Completing the cast is Ana Wetherill as the interviewer and Brittany Wetherill who will be seen portraying several unique characters. 

 This perennially favorite musical concerning a geek, an adorable floozie, some DOO-WHOPPERS and a blood-thirsty plant – all of whom conspire to give us an evening of hilarity and charm. It is a show not to be missed—You’ll love it!!

 Tickets ($15) are now available at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce 864-5364.

The RFA Spring Music Recital held on May 27 featured selections by 19 pianists, 1 flutist and 4 vocal musicians.  The parents, friends and family members almost filled the Church of the Good Shepherd on the beautiful summer evening to enjoy the great variety of music and talent that was displayed.  One student (Sophie Chu-O’Neil) had a surprise for her father as she played “Happy Birthday” to celebrate his special day.  The RFA initiated the Student Lesson Program in 1980, assisting local students with the cost of private instruction in the arts.  The Rangeley Rotary Club and the Rangeley Lakes Regional School have been our partners in this effort with an annual grant to the program.  The RFA’s long-term goal is to create classroom and studio spaces for learning, creating and displaying all the arts including but not limited to visual, creative, movement, instrumental, vocal and performing.

The Rangeley Friends of the Arts will present 4 performances of the musical Little Shop of Horrors  at 7PM on July 1, 2, 4, 5 at the Lakeside Theater in Rangeley.

Little Shop of Horrors is a rock musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several show-stoppers including the title song, “Skid Row (Downtown)”, “Somewhere That’s Green”, and “Suddenly, Seymour”. 

The little plant does not thrive in its new environment and appears to be dying. Seymour questions why it should be doing poorly when he takes such good care of it. He accidentally pricks his finger on a rose’s thorn, which draws blood, and Audrey II’s pod opens thirstily. Seymour realizes that Audrey II requires blood to survive and allows the plant to suckle from his finger. As Audrey II grows, the plant becomes an attraction and begins generating substantial business for Mushnik. Being the owner of the plant, Seymour has suddenly gone from loser to hero. Audrey reveals she is not happy in her relationship and secretly has feelings for the timid Seymour. She sings that her ultimate dream is to have the ideal suburban life with Seymour, complete with a tract home, frozen dinners and plastic on the furniture.

The great music will have everyone tapping their toes and humming along to the very familiar tunes.  One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. 

Tickets ($15) will be available at the Rangeley Chamber of Commerce 864-5364.

These students, with superior tutelage from Kent and Ben, were able to do what many an acting troupe have done ‘ere these past four centuries, but with the sort of individuality only Rangeley can bring to such a production. Macbeth came to life, killed many innocents, and then died… again. Three days of amazing theater work with 10 awesome students, two consummate professional actors (Kent and Ben), one crazy idea of abridging Shakespeare’s Macbeth to a mere 30 minutes, and no one around to tell us it couldn’t be done. Wow. Education is about the experience and the application of what we learn, how we learn, and with whom we learn. Intersession affords a more focused and intense climate for project building. Maine’s Learning Results are adhered to in a celebrated fashion.  Fun definitely has its place in education, though brass tacks remain an essential aspect of the learning dynamic.

 We can say many years hence that we shared a stage together, and it was the world.

2010 RFA  Drama Camp will be taught  by Professional Instructor, Haley Murphy. 

It will be held at the Lakeside Theater, during the week of July 12-16, 2010 from 9:30am – 2:00pm. 

The camp is for Students in Grades 2 through 6 or ages 7 – 12. Registration fee is: $60.00

To download the 2010 RFA Drama Camp Brochure, please select it in the Links block in the lower righthand corner of the screen.