Posts Tagged the middle nh

ARTSFEST/Tabula Rasa Present “A Good Ol’ Burlesque Show”

Posted by Barry Livingstone in Lakes Region, Performances on March 27th, 2010

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Burlesque and Vaudeville-style entertainment return to the historic Franklin Opera House as ARTFEST and Tabula Rasa present “A Good Ol’ Burlesque Show” on April 16 & 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this program of old-time comedy sketches, music and dance are available from The Middle at 603-934-1901 or at www.themiddlenh.org. Shown here are (front) Erin Lovett Sherman and Rori Dawes, (back) Nicole Buttermore, Barry Livingstone, Kevin Borella, Nerrishia Bodwell and Mike Manning.

FRANKLIN NH- Burlesque is a humorous theatrical entertainment involving parody and sometimes grotesque exaggeration. In early 20th century America, the form became associated with a style known as Vaudeville, a particular genre of variety entertainment made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill. By the late 19th century, most cities and large towns in America boasted a theatre or “opera house” featuring live entertainment, and the City of Franklin was no exception. From its opening in 1893 until the 1940s, the Franklin Opera House hosted thousands of burlesque and vaudeville shows, until the genres’ popularity declined with the increasing popularity of movies and later, television, resulting in the closing of the venue in the 1970s.

The City Council and Franklin District Court used the opera house auditorium space for many years until, after a community fundraising drive and the renovation and restoration of the space, it was re-opened for entertainment. Now operated by the non-profit Middle New Hampshire Arts & Entertainment Center (“The Middle”), the historic Franklin Opera House will once again shake with laughter, as burlesque returns to its well trod stage for the first time in nearly fifty years.

Two Laconia-based community performing arts groups, ARTSFEST Performing Arts Company and Tabula Rasa Theatre Company, have teamed up to present a vaudeville-style musical comedy revue, entitled “A Good Ol’ Burlesque Show,” to be presented two nights only, April 16 & 17 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Rick Morten with choreography by Erin Lovett Sherman, lighting by Jordan Tankard and musical accompaniment by Phil Breton, the two-act show contains many classic routines made famous by such show-biz immortals as the Marx Brothers, Abbott & Costello, Gypsy Rose Lee, Milton Berle and Ann Corio (whose late-career show, “This Was Burlesque” played at the Lakes Region Playhouse in Gilford in the 1960s and -70s).

Click for Tickets

Burlesque and Vaudeville-style entertainment return to the historic Franklin Opera House as ARTFEST and Tabula Rasa present “A Good Ol’ Burlesque Show” on April 16 & 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this program of old-time comedy sketches, music and dance are available from The Middle at 603-934-1901 or at www.themiddlenh.org. Shown here (L to R) are Rick Morten, Nicole Buttermore and Mike Manning.

(“A Good Ol’ Burlesque Show” also includes excerpts from the 1979 burlesque-revival broadway show, “Sugar Babies,” starring Mickey Rooney. With a cast of well-known area actors and dancers, including Melissa Bigler, Nerrishia Bodwell, Kevin Borella, David Bownes, Peter Brunette, Nicole Buttermore, Rori Dawes, Ray Feola, Amey Garnett, Alison Henchey, Simone Henderson, Barry Livingstone, Erin Lovett Sherman, Mike Manning, Elis Marcoux, Rick Morten, and Kris Snow, and featuring several lavish production numbers by the ARTSFEST Dance Company, “A Good Ol’ Burlesque Show” promises to shake the historic Franklin Opera House to its foundations. Those interested in further information or purchasing tickets may call The Middle Box Office at 603-934-1901 or online at www.themiddlenh.org.

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No Comments updated July 26, 2013

ArtsFest Fall 2009 Showcase at The Middle

Posted by Barry Livingstone in Theatrical Roles on September 10th, 2009

The Lovely and Dynamic ArtsFest Dance Company

The Lovely and Dynamic ArtsFest Dance Company

Franklin, NH – Come join this celebration of the Arts, September 19th, 7pm, at THE MIDDLE NH ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTER at the Historic Franklin Opera House in Franklin, NH. The Franklin Opera House is a beautiful and historic theatre, a lovely setting for the ARTSFEST Fall feast of the Performing and Visual Arts.
ARTSFEST has put together stunning line-up of professional artists and companies for this special one night only event. Featured artists include: QWILL, RELEVATION, JUSTIN JAYMES, ARTSFEST PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY, PAUL THIBEAULT AND SHARON DANSON, TEAGAN MORIN, EEGAD, ZACH FOOTE, KATE LEMAY, and THE NEW ENGLAND TAP ENSEMBLE. It’s going to be a wonderful night of inspired performing arts and artists!

ARTSFEST turns ten years old this year, beginning with an all day festival with workshops, art exhibits, and performances, on a beautiful summer day overlooking the Lake in Centre Harbor, NH. Since that summer, we’ve had 10 fun, exciting years full of festivals, retreats, workshops and performance tours. Thanks to all the artists who have jammed together over the years! ARTSFEST sends kudos to artists everywhere, expressing themselves with their unique gifts! Creation, Collaboration and Community have always been at the core of the ARTSFEST mission. Hundreds of collaborative projects, partnerships, professional connections and friendships have been made. The artistic community is its own greatest advocate and benefactor. Thank you all for coming together to support one another in so many ways. What a wonderful Community of Artists! Artists of all genres have the same intangible spark inside them, and the same drive to express it. That’s why the more we come together, the more we feel at home.

So come, enjoy, meet new and old friends, make connections, feel the vibe, dance a little, sing along, wonder at a piece of artwork, smile, laugh and have a wonderful night. Artists and Art Lovers Unite! Let’s take an evening off from our busy lives and enjoy each other.

Saturday, September 19th, 7pm.

Get your tickets! Pick your seats! Tickets at www.themiddlenh.org or call the Box Office at 603-934-1901. Reserved Tickets are $17/$15/$13

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No Comments updated July 26, 2013