On Saturday, Aug. 9, at 7:30 p.m, the Southern Maine Performing Arts Collaborative presents a traveling production of “Songs for a New World” at the North Windham Union Church. The show is a collection of songs that tell a series of stories. An exploration – through music – of life’s emotions: risk, fear, hope, dreams and love. As author/composer Jason Robert Brown said, “It’s about one moment. It’s about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back.”
Songs for a New World is the inaugural production of the Southern Maine Performing Arts Collaborative, which is committed to providing expanded performance, educational, and mentoring opportunities to those in greater Cumberland County. The program pairs seasoned local performers with students to produce a traveling summer musical to raise awareness and funds for the performing arts. The cast includes more than 20 performers from throughout Greater Portland. The show is co-directed by Dillon Bates and Janelle LoSciuto with musical direction by Betty McIntyre.
This concert is the 17th in the “Music with a Mission” series sponsored by the North Windham Union Church. The church donates a portion of the proceeds to area nonprofits, and the first 16 concerts have raised more than $13,000 for mission support to the church and other community organizations. The Songs for a New World performance will support Schoolhouse Arts with the community proceeds from this show.
“We are delighted to add Songs for a New World to our concert line-up this summer,” said Dr. Richard Nickerson, minister of music for NWUC. “Although they are performing numerous other times in the local area, this is the only chance to see the show here in Windham. Many of the student performers are from Windham and Raymond, and they’re excited to perform for their home town crowd!”
Tickets will be sold at the door and are $12 for adults and $10 for students, children, and seniors. The box office opens at 6:45 p.m. and the doors will open at 7 p.m. The North Windham Union Church is located at 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, and is air-conditioned. For more information, call 892-7149 or email MWAMconcerts@gmail.com.
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