River Company's 2020 Season Postponed Until FallDear Friends and Members of River Company,
We began 2020 very excited to bring you a season full of delightful, Maine-themed shows, but due to the spread of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, we feel it is best to modify our season in order to protect our wonderful community. It is with a heavy heart that we postpone our spring production of “Homer Bound” by Karmo Sanders. Rather than do another Summer Shakespeare, we will instead focus on producing “Homer Bound” for an early fall production. Right now, everything is very fluid and we are doing our best to monitor the situation and follow CDC recommendations and will continue to do so into the future. We still plan to send out our annual newsletter, just later this spring than usual. We still plan to have a children’s workshop in the fall and a holiday fundraiser in December. River Company is so thankful for all our members, fans and supporters. Please stay tuned for more information going forward. We will try to keep everyone as up to date, via social media and email, as much as possible. The Show Will Go On. Mallory Adams - President of River Company "Homer Bound" Open AuditionsRiver Company will hold Open Auditions for its spring production, "Homer Bound," by Karmo Sanders. Auditions will be Friday March 6th and Saturday March 7th at 6-9 PM in Porter Hall at Skidompha Library. Audition forms will be provided along with character descriptions and sides. For more information, email the director at eleanorcadebusby@hotmail.com
Lincoln County Artsbeat January 11, 2020"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" Cast AnnouncementCongrats to the cast of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” thanks to all those who came out to audition and who joined up and to all the family members and friends that help make a production like this work! Mark your calendars for December 6 and 7 at 7 PM and December 8 at 3 PM. Only 3 performances and all ticket sales go to the food for our scholars programs at local schools.
To reserve tickets in advance call 207-522-2797 or to buy online visit: https://rivercompany.ticketspice.com/the-best-christmas-pageant-ever This year’s cast: Father: Mike Lee Mother: Allison Eddyblouin Beth: Lila Neptune-Benner Charlie: Davis Awamleh Ralph Herdman: Eli Jones Imogene Herdman: Lilly Mae Awamleh Leroy: Blaise Eddyblouin Claudia Herdman: Willow Moores Ollie Herdman: Kostja Stapp Gladys Herdman: Ellie James Neptune-Benner Elmer Hopkins: Micah Stapp Maxine: Mercy Buchwalder Alice: Marley Neptune-Benner Hobie: Odysseus Neptune Baby Angels: Charlotte Ramsdell, Agnes Eddyblouin, Clare Buchwalder Fireman: Mert Apinwall Reverend Hopkins: Sumner Richards Mrs. Armstrong: Cynthia Seigars Mrs. Slocum:Cassandra Neptune-Benner Mrs. Clausing:Elisabeth Awamleh Mrs. Clark: Mallory Adams Mrs. McCarthy: Kerry Stapp 
Literary Salon and Family Fun Night at Skidompha!River Company will host its first Literary Salon on Wednesday, October 30th from 6-7:30 in the Porter Hall at Skidompha Library. This Literary Salon will be Halloween themed and children and parents are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween Costumes. There will be fun games, halloween themed refreshments and dancing.
This Literary Salon will focus on the first book "The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide" in support of the partnership between Skidompha Library and Lincoln County Theater's Stories to Screen series "Mysterious Fun." Children (and parents) will be encouraged to act out scenes from the book followed by a question/answer discussion about the book. A limited number of copies of the book are available first come first serve (one per family please) at the the library and at the screenings. The film "The Spiderwick Chronicles" (PG) will be shown at Lincoln Theater on Saturday, November 2nd at 10 AM. Free Children’s Workshop October 11th at Skidompha LibraryDue to the great success of the workshop River Company held in the spring in Partnership with Skidompha Library and The Waldo Theatre, we will have another workshop on Friday, October 11th from 10 AM-2 PM. Just like last time, it is FREE and open to school aged children and will be held in the Porter Hall at Skidompha Library. Pre-Registration is required.
The first half of the workshop will be fun games, exercises and learning about theater basics followed by a lunch break (Please pack a lunch for your child(ren)) then skit work, with mostly scenes from "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." This will also be an opportunity for children to audition for River Company's Holiday Fundraiser "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." High school students and adults are also welcome to audition from 1-3that afternoon. To schedule an alternative audition time and/or for more information, email director Allison Eddyblouin at edblouin8611@gmail.com *Please click the link to download the registration form pdf to print out and turn into the children's library desk. Registration Form Open Auditions!
River Company announces open auditions for their summer production of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." Auditions will be held Saturday, June 1 from 10-12 PM and Sunday, June 2 from 3-5 PM in the Porter Hall at Skidompha Library. No experience necessary. Bring resumes if available along with any schedule conflicts. Sides and audition forms will be provided. Rehearsals will begin in June and there will be two weekends of performances: July 26, 27, 28 and August 2,3,4. For more information, email Director Torie DeLisle at torie.delisle@gmail.com
2019 Free Children's Workshop
River Company Announces Open Auditions
River Company will hold open auditions for “Enchanted April” written by Matthew Barber and based on the book “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth von Arnim. There are two audition dates: Friday, March 1st from 5:30-7:30 and Saturday, March 2nd from 11–1 pm. Auditions will be in the Porter Hall at Skidompha Library. Performances will be two weekends: April 26,27,28 and May 3,4,5. Please bring along acting resumes if possible and a schedule with known conflicts. Be prepared to fill out an audition form. Sides and character descriptions will be provided.
Roles: 5 women and 3 men. Characters: Lotty Wilton (lead) Mellersh Wilton (supporting) Rose Arnott (lead) Frederick Arnott (supporting) Caroline Bramble (lead) Antony Wilding (supporting) Mrs. Graves (lead) Costanza (supporting) Play synopsis -courtesy of www.matthewbarber.com “Feeling lost in the shadows of marriage and forgotten in the rush of 1920s post-war society, two London housewives pool their savings to rent a villa in Italy for a ladies-only holiday away, reluctantly recruiting a pair of difficult upper-class women to share the cost and the experience. Together under the Mediterranean sun, the four women clash — and then begin to bond and bloom — until men once again upset the balance.” River Company Raises $1,400.00 for Local Schools' Food for Students Programs
Photo Courtesy of Christine Lapado-Breglia, Lincoln County News
We are so pleased to announce that River Company was able to donate $1,400.00 to the food programs at 4 local schools, each program receiving $350 in time for Christmas break. Thank you to our partner Skidompha Library, director Ellie Busby and the entire cast and crew of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” - especially all those who came out to see the show and who so generously donated.
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Lainey Catalino
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Judy McQuillen
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Introducing: River Company's 20th Anniversary
Celebration Stemless Wine Glass!
Celebration Stemless Wine Glass!
This special wine glass, commemorating River Company's remarkable 20th season, will be available only at our production performances, beginning with "Love Letters" on May 14. For just $10, you can join us in toasting to an incredible 20 years and many more to come!
River Company's 20th Season
River Company announces its impressive 20th season with four exciting productions. The plays are “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” by Christopher Durang, “Rhinoceros” by Eugene Ionesco and finally their annual fundraiser “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.
“Love Letters” starring longtime River Company board member Suzanne Rankin and local favorite Thom Watson will open Mother’s Day, Sunday May 14th for one performance only. The venue is Savory Maine restaurant, located in Damariscotta and will be an exciting dinner and performance combination. Rankin and Watson bring this romantic comedy to life, reading love letters to one another that span their two characters’ lifetimes. The setting and design are simple yet elegant and complements the dining environment. “Love Letters” promises to be a lovely time, a special Mother’s Day treat. Doors open at 6 with the performance beginning at 6:30 with a brief intermission and tickets are $35 per person and include a three course meal. For reservations, please call 207-563-2111.
Durang’s Tony award winning play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” will have six performances, opening Friday August 4th at 7:30 pm, followed by August 5, 11, 12 at 7:30 pm and August 6 and 13 at 3 pm in the Porter Meeting Hall at Skidompha Library. This hilarious comedy centers on three middle aged siblings and their struggle to find love, success and to “grow up.” River Company board member, Allison Eddyblouin, has taken on the role of director and plans to cast the show this June. Open auditions will be held, date, time and location to be determined.
“Rhinoceros,” a dark and eye opening three act play will be performed in November, around election day November 7, 2017, the one year anniversary of America’s historic presidential election. The performance dates are November 3,4,10,11 at 7:30 pm and 5 and 12 at 3 pm in the Porter Meeting Hall at Skidompha Library. The play takes place in a small french village and focuses on one character, a man named Berenger, who watches everyone in his town overtaken by “rhinoceritis,” a sickness that turns one into a rhinoceros. The play serves as an allegory for the second world war and the conversion and conformation of many people into anti-semites, and eventually nazis.
The season will end with a rendition of “A Christmas Carol” starring hometown talent during the month of December. Dates and times have yet to be confirmed. The performances will benefit a local charity.
River Company is a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation comprised of experienced local actors who produce dynamic, minimal-style theatre, written by major playwrights, focusing on acting.
For more information, visit our website www.rivercompany.org or to sign up for our newsletter or become a member call 207-563-8116.
Ripples 2017 coming to you this May!
River Company's annual newsletter, Ripples, is currently being put together. If you'd like to receive our newsletter, please call or email with your contact information. Our newsletter will update you on all of River Company's business and have more information about the 2017 season (and perhaps a surprise or two). 207-563-8116 and rivercompanytheater@gmail.com
Congrats to River Company's 2017 Officers!
Tyson Bailey, CoPresident
Mitchell Wellman, Treasurer
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Mallory Adams, CoPresident
Allison Eddyblouin, Secretary
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River Company Reprises 2015 Sold Out Show:
The Outgoing Tide
The Cast of River Company's The Outgoing Tide from left to right: Mitchell Wellman as Jack, Suzanne Rankin as Peg and Charles Waterman as Gunner
Back by popular demand, this fall River Company will reprise Bruce Graham's The Outgoing Tide opening in Boothbay in the Town Hall Building of the Boothbay Railway Village on Sunday September 25th at 7PM as well as 2 performances at Skidompha Library in Damariscotta the following weekend.
Thanks to contributions from two generous Boothbay region sponsors, the Boothbay Railway Village performance will be offered as a free event to the public. River Company is offering the play this year as a staged reading and is directed by Andrea Handel. In the cast is Charles Waterman as Gunner who moved audiences last year with his memorable portrayal of an older man diagnosed with dementia who is painfully aware of the losses he's facing and what this will mean for his family. Mitchell Wellman returns as Jack, his middle aged son going through a divorce while trying to support his aging parents. New to the cast this fall is Suzanne Rankin as Peg, Gunner's wife who is grappling daily with how to care for Gunner and assure his safety as his dementia progresses.
This extremely well-written drama is laced through and through with realistic, humorous family situations and conversations that inspire empathy in audience members and provide relief from the developing serious and heart wrenching challenge faced by Gunner and his family. Gunner, a man determined not to be a victim of his unfortunate diagnosis, concocts his own plan to deal with his end of life issues and save his family from the unfolding circumstances in which they find themselves. He endeavors to persuade his wife and son to see his point of view as the story moves toward its poignant conclusion.
There will be 2 performances in Damariscotta: Saturday, October 1st at 7:30 and Sunday October 2nd at 3:00PM in the Porter Meeting Hall of the Skidompha Library. Tickets are $15.00 for River Company members and $17.00 for non-members. Reservations can be made by calling 563-8116.
Thanks to contributions from two generous Boothbay region sponsors, the Boothbay Railway Village performance will be offered as a free event to the public. River Company is offering the play this year as a staged reading and is directed by Andrea Handel. In the cast is Charles Waterman as Gunner who moved audiences last year with his memorable portrayal of an older man diagnosed with dementia who is painfully aware of the losses he's facing and what this will mean for his family. Mitchell Wellman returns as Jack, his middle aged son going through a divorce while trying to support his aging parents. New to the cast this fall is Suzanne Rankin as Peg, Gunner's wife who is grappling daily with how to care for Gunner and assure his safety as his dementia progresses.
This extremely well-written drama is laced through and through with realistic, humorous family situations and conversations that inspire empathy in audience members and provide relief from the developing serious and heart wrenching challenge faced by Gunner and his family. Gunner, a man determined not to be a victim of his unfortunate diagnosis, concocts his own plan to deal with his end of life issues and save his family from the unfolding circumstances in which they find themselves. He endeavors to persuade his wife and son to see his point of view as the story moves toward its poignant conclusion.
There will be 2 performances in Damariscotta: Saturday, October 1st at 7:30 and Sunday October 2nd at 3:00PM in the Porter Meeting Hall of the Skidompha Library. Tickets are $15.00 for River Company members and $17.00 for non-members. Reservations can be made by calling 563-8116.
River Company announces cast for July 2016 show: John Cariani's Love/Sick
In a departure from the norm, River Company held auditions and cast Love/Sick last month and actors/directors are currently deep in rehearsal. Well-known River Company board member Mitchell Wellman is at the helm as director of 7 of the 9 vignettes that make up this comedy by Maine playwright John Cariani. Mallory Adams and Tyson Bailey debut as directors and each direct a scene from Cariani's play that has been billed as Almost Maine's "darker, urban cousin".
Members of the cast include: Christine Anderson, Tyson Bailey, William Burleson, Lainey Catalino, Allison Eddyblouin, Thalia Eddyblouin, Andrea and Tom Handel, Judy McQuillen, Beth and Mike Rowe and Stephen Wallace.
Mark your calendars in JULY for this lively, fast-paced production that explores the joys and pitfalls of relationships and is sure to have audiences laughing, gasping and wiping away a tear or two.
Performances will be held in the Porter Meeting Hall of Skidompha Library in Damariscotta July 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30PM and July 10 and 17 at 3PM. Ticket prices are $15.00 for River Company members and $17.00 for non-members. Reservations for seating can be made by calling 563-8116 and are recommended; cash/checks accepted at the door (Elm street entrance)
Allison Eddyblouin (left) and Stephen Wallace (right) rehearse "Forgot" a scene from John Cariani's LOVE/SICK River Company's July 2016 show in the Porter Meeting Hall at Skidompha
River Company Holds Open Auditions
River Company in Damariscotta/Newcastle will be having auditions for John Cariani’s play, Love Sick, on Saturday, May 7 from 2-4PM and on Monday, May 9 from 6-8PM at the LCTV studio, 29 Sheepscot Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553. Performances will be held at the Porter Meeting Hall in the Skidompha Library, Damariscotta on July 8,9,15 & 16 at 7:30pm and July 10 & 17 at 3:00pm. This play consists of 9 short plays, each play has 2 characters that can be of various age ranges (25-75); people may be cast in more than one play, so there are parts for potentially 2-9 actors and 2-9 actresses. Sides will be available to read from; you may come prepared to do 1-2 short monologues no more than 5 minutes total.
River Company raises $1000 for ElderCare Network
(from left to right) Andrea Handel, ElderCare Network executive director, Mallory Adams, River Company board member, Kerry Genthner, Hodgdon Green caregiver and Lilah Blechman, Hodgdon Green resident gather to accept River Company's donation.
River Company is pleased to announce that the staged readings of A Christmas Carol presented on December 6th in the Porter Meeting Hall of the Skidompha Library raised $1000 for the ElderCare Network of Lincoln County, a local nonprofit that provides an array of services to seniors. The performances were cast, staged and directed by Margo O'Leary of Newcastle, a former River Company board member. "I'm so glad to be doing the 2nd annual reading of A Christmas Carol with such a talented and fun group of volunteers acting for a good cause," commented Margo.
On Saturday, River Company board member Mallory Adams and ElderCare Network staff and residents at Hodgdon Green gathered in front of the Christmas tree to accept the generous donation. ElderCare Network executive director, Andrea Handel stopped in to accept the donation. "All of us at ECN are grateful for the outpouring of generosity from our local community as well as supporters from away. Every gift received enables us to continue our important work supporting elders and assures that we'll be able to continue in the future."
River Company is a local nonprofit theatre company founded in 1998 with a mission to produce dynamic, minimal-style productions by major playwrights with a focus on acting and storytelling. For more information, visit our website at www.rivercompany.org.
On Saturday, River Company board member Mallory Adams and ElderCare Network staff and residents at Hodgdon Green gathered in front of the Christmas tree to accept the generous donation. ElderCare Network executive director, Andrea Handel stopped in to accept the donation. "All of us at ECN are grateful for the outpouring of generosity from our local community as well as supporters from away. Every gift received enables us to continue our important work supporting elders and assures that we'll be able to continue in the future."
River Company is a local nonprofit theatre company founded in 1998 with a mission to produce dynamic, minimal-style productions by major playwrights with a focus on acting and storytelling. For more information, visit our website at www.rivercompany.org.
River Company's Fall 2015 Production
The Outgoing Tide
( from left to right) Ann Foskett, Mitchell Wellman and Charles Waterman stars of River Company's fall show: The Outgoing Tide.
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River Company is pleased to announce the cast of its fall production, Bruce Graham's The Outgoing Tide. This full length drama tells the story of Gunner, a strong-willed husband and father who finds himself struggling with a diagnosis of dementia. Painfully aware of his increasing memory loss and the physical and emotional toll his condition is taking on his wife and son, Gunner experiences a glimpse into a dismal future in which he faces losses of physical ability, mental acuity and ultimately loss of dignity and control over his life. Bruce Graham's play follows Gunner in his decision to take matters into his own hands by concocting a plan that meets with resistance from his family.
Christmas Fundraiser
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CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER for ElderCare Network of Lincoln County. All ticket sales will go to that nonprofit to support low-income seniors. Tickets are $15 for members, $17 for non-members and $5 for seniors and students.
Sunday, December 6, 2015 Porter Meeting Hall - Skidompha Library Two performances: 3pm & 5pm To benefit the Elder Care Network of Lincoln County Reservations - 563-8116 |
John Price Presented with RICO Award
Cast members Suzanne Rankin, Mitchell Wellman, Tom Handel and Andrea Handel look on as Director Ann Foskett presents John Price with his RICO Award in recognition of his having participated in ten River Company productions as either actor or director.
In July John Price played the dual roles of Grandpa/Uncle Roger in River Company's production of A.R. Gurney's Ancestral Voices. Not only did John shine in this role, but it marked his tenth production with River Company, as either actor or director. River Company awards their RICO to such dedicated and talented members of the Company. The presentation to John was made by Director Ann Foskett, along with other members of the cast and Board after the last performance of Ancestral Voices. Needless to say John received the standing ovation he deserved, not only for this particular performance, but for all those that went before.
River Company will continue their 2013 season with Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, opening on October 11, at Skidompha Library, for two weekends. This production will be part of the Pumpkinfest celebration, and River Company will also be coordinating street performances on Theatre Street, which will be blocked to traffic for Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13.
In July John Price played the dual roles of Grandpa/Uncle Roger in River Company's production of A.R. Gurney's Ancestral Voices. Not only did John shine in this role, but it marked his tenth production with River Company, as either actor or director. River Company awards their RICO to such dedicated and talented members of the Company. The presentation to John was made by Director Ann Foskett, along with other members of the cast and Board after the last performance of Ancestral Voices. Needless to say John received the standing ovation he deserved, not only for this particular performance, but for all those that went before.
River Company will continue their 2013 season with Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, opening on October 11, at Skidompha Library, for two weekends. This production will be part of the Pumpkinfest celebration, and River Company will also be coordinating street performances on Theatre Street, which will be blocked to traffic for Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13.
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