Prescott Park Arts Festival and Seacoast Repertory Theatre Announce Collaboration

‘The Wizard of Oz’ Kicks Off Summer 2011

PORTSMOUTH—
Demonstrating once again that when it comes to the arts in the Seacoast region, the whole can truly be greater than the sum of its parts, Prescott Park Arts Festival (PPAF) and Seacoast Repertory Theatre (the Rep) are proud to announce a new collaborative effort for the upcoming summer season. The organizations will co-produce “The Wizard of Oz” as part of the FairPoint Communications mainstage this summer. This new partnership draws on the combined resources of both organizations to bring the highest quality theatre possible to the PPAF this summer for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
“It just really started making sense,” said Ben Anderson, executive director of the PPAF. “This type of collaboration is what I like to call a win-win-win. By partnering our efforts, both organizations will benefit and become stronger, but ultimately it is the community that will gain from what will come from this partnership. It’s more than exciting.”
The Rep will support the effort with rehearsal space, costuming, scenery building and other production-critical capabilities.
Beyond artistic vision and production leadership, the Rep’s Artistic Director, Craig Faulkner will co-direct “The Wizard of Oz” with Tony Award winner Jon Kimbell. In addition to being a longtime supporter of the Rep and advocate for the arts in our region, Kimbell served as the Artistic Director of the Theatre by the Sea in Portsmouth and North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA.
“I’m proud to be part of the collaboration between PPAF and the Rep; working together to create a terrific production for PPAF is a win for both arts organizations and, more importantly, for Seacoast audiences,” said Jon Kimbell. “Collaboration among arts groups was exactly what Grace Casey and I had in mind when we started the PPAF almost four decades ago.”
“It’s very exciting that the two largest arts organizations in the community have come together,” said Rep Artistic Director Craig Faulkner. “It’s taken a great deal of work and enthusiasm from both organizations to make this happen. We couldn’t be happier about this collaboration.”
The announced partnership actually expands the collaboration between the two organizations. Over the past few years, The Rep performed a series of concerts at PPAF and offered the Rep’s facility to PPAF for their concert series in the event of inclement weather. This relationship growth is a natural outcrop of the two organizations’ shared history and commitment to bringing the arts to the Seacoast.
Considered to be one of the greatest family musicals of all time, “The Wizard of Oz” is based on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s celebration of the 1939 MGM movie that transports Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow Over the Rainbow to adventures in Munchkin Land, the Haunted Forest, and the Emerald City.
Featuring classic songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” and “If I Only Had A Brain,” along with the beloved characters, “The Wizard of Oz” will have the entire family captivated as they travel down the yellow brick road for an unforgettable evening in the Park.
This magical production will run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 24 to August 21.
Photo caption: The annual Prescott Park Arts Festival brings quite a crowd to the area, as seen here at a previous year’s concert. (Photo courtesy www.prescottpark.org)

Explore the Architecture of the Isles of Shoals at Seacoast Science Center

RYE—
From grand resort hotels to fishermen’s cottages, every building on the Isles of Shoals has a story to tell. Portsmouth architect Robert Cook will bring the history of the islands to life at Seacoast Science Center in Rye on Tuesday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m. His presentation, open to the public, marks the 20th anniversary of the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association.
“Have you ever wondered why the Oceanic Hotel looks like a series of different buildings arranged in a row?” Cook asks. “Why are some island buildings constructed of wood and others stone? These buildings look different, yet together they so pleasingly suit the island.”
The nine Isles of Shoals straddle the Maine-New Hampshire border six miles off the coast. Their buildings include the oldest house in Maine, the Haley House on Smuttynose Island, as well as grand structures dating from the Shoals’ development as a tourist and retreat destination in the 19th century. Cook will share stories and pictures of the existing buildings, others long gone, and perhaps some yet to be built.
The presentation is part of the regular meeting of the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association (ISHRA), whose mission is to expand awareness of the natural and human history of the Isles of Shoals. The talk previews a five-day conference about the resort hotel era on the Seacoast, to be offered by ISHRA on Star Island June 25-29.
Tickets for the April 12 presentation may be purchased at the door. The Seacoast Science Center is located at 570 Ocean Boulevard in Rye. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the ISHRA meeting and special presentation are from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information visit ishra.org or call (603) 431-2616.
Photo caption: The Oceanic Hotel on Star Island in the mid-20th century. (Courtesy of Portsmouth Athenaeum)

Chamber of Commerce Announces 2011 Awards

ROCHESTER—
The Business Leader of the Year award is one of the Chamber’s most prestigious business awards that provides us an opportunity to celebrate excellence in business leadership and community involvement. This award recognizes a Chamber member who has demonstrated leadership in a variety of roles in the business community, provides support for the betterment of the business community and the greater Rochester area. Based on several nominations received, the Chamber is pleased to present the 2011 Business Leader of the Year award to Ronald Poulin, Poulin Auto Country.
The Citizen of the Year award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the community and has made significant contributions to the vibrancy and strength of the Greater Rochester area. The 2011 Citizen of the Year is Kenneth Billings.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an outstanding individual whose spirit, resourcefulness and determination has been a major contribution to the Greater Rochester area and whose lifelong contributions to the community have inspired others to work toward positive change. The 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Harvey Bernier, Jr.