LEWISTON — For the first time, the Maine State Music Theatre is bringing one of its productions to Lewiston.

The director and choreographer of the show, Raymond Dumont, is a local product.

Dumont grew up in Lewiston, graduated from Lewiston High School and got his acting start at Community Little Theatre.

On Aug. 25, a one-night musical theater, “The Taffetas,” will be performed at the Gendron Franco Center. Tickets are being sold for $15 or $10, a fraction of the cost to see a show at Brunswick’s Maine State Music Theatre.

The lively, uplifting show set in the 1950s is about a quartet of sisters determined to make it big. The show features hits from that era, including “Johnny Angel,” “Mr. Sandman” and “Where the Boys Are.”

Richard Martin, program director for the Franco Center, said the show provides a local opportunity to experience the music theater. “It’s good for the Franco Center.”

The center holds an audience of 428. Martin expects tickets to sell quickly.

Dumont, who has acted and directed at MSMT for years, said it means a lot to bring his show to his hometown.

Joseph Philippon, a Lewiston police officer who has organized the successful “Midweek Movie Nights with Lewiston Police,” asked Dumont if MSMT could bring the show “Newsies” to Lewiston.

“I’ve known his parents forever,” Dumont said of Philippon, whose parents, Roger and Celeste Philippon are active in Community Little Theatre. “There was a lot of drama in my family,” Joe Philippon mused.

He wanted MSMT to bring a production to Lewiston, Philippon said, because he has seen how the arts can benefit a community. The Maine State Music Theatre is the best around, Philippon said.

The large cast of “Newsies,” a show playing eight days, made it logistically impossible to bring it to Lewiston, Dumont said.

But “The Taffetas,” which has a smaller cast, worked. “The Franco is a beautiful spot,” Dumont said. “Everybody’s so excited about the idea. I don’t get to show myself in Lewiston often.”

It’s good for Lewiston, and good for the Maine State Music Theatre to expand its footprint, he said.

He described “The Taffetas” as a fun show with lots of tight harmonies and great music. The performers are from all over the country. He described them as “brilliant professionals” who are excited about performing in Lewiston.

In general, the public has a good appetite for music theater, Dumont said. “This season we’re selling out like crazy.” Given the current political climate, “escaping is good.” The shows are upbeat and life-affirming, he said.

For ticket information, call the Franco Center at 689-2000.

 

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