Falmouth, Maine – Broadway veteran Jonathan Miele can't wait to open his latest production, A Night of Broadway, at the Maine State Ballet Theater later this month. "The show is a dynamic collection of show-stopping songs and dance numbers, almost all of which are from Broadway musicals. I was inspired to create an opportunity for some of the area's finest vocalists to come perform at Maine State Ballet and then intermix some tap and jazz. The program is fun and uplifting."
'What I Did for Love,' the most famous song from A Chorus Line, is one of the songs featured and is truly how Miele feels about performing. "I simply love it – there is nothing better than putting on a show and bringing together old pals," says Miele. His guest artists are a collection of people Jon has known for decades through local theater, along with some new friends. "I grew up in Maine with people like Jaye Churchill and David Coombs and did shows at Lyric Theater when I was in high school with Ellen Lefevre and Newton Curtis." These superb singers will join Stephen Filieo, known for his annual production of The Best of Broadway fundraiser and appearances at the Portland Players, and soloists Karen Stickney, Beth Ann Renaud, Suzy Cropper, and Jim Gaddis, an accomplished vocalist and one of Miele's former dance students. Songs in the program are from Camelot, Crazy for You, Jekyll & Hyde, Little Mermaid, Swing, Wicked, and many other musicals.
As a director and teacher at Maine State Ballet's School for the Performing Arts, Miele works with teenagers and young adults, many of whom will be joining the cast. For many years Miele was the drama director at Windham High School, and he has produced musicals at many of the area schools. During his professional career in New York, he appeared in many on and off Broadway shows with such stars as Carol Channing, Robert Preston and Bernadette Peters. Assisting in A Night of Broadway as musical director is Vicky Stubbs, a popular piano teacher who has been active in area musical theater for decades.
A Night of Broadway will open Friday, October 16th with four performances over two weekends: October 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 7:00pm.
Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors and children 12 & under. Call the Maine State Ballet Box office for reservations, 207-781-7672. The Maine State Ballet Theater is located at 348 U.S. Route One in Falmouth. For more details visit www.mainestateballet.org
Contact: Eliza Miller - 207-781-7672
