BATH — The Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., has announced the Sept. 2018–June 2019 performance schedule. For 41 years, the Chocolate Church has presented music, theater and dance on the main stage and in the annex. Most recently, the programming focus has been on highlighting local, regional, national and international musicians, producing community theater and offering family entertainment. This season is highlighted by iconic performers, eclectic theater, outstanding holiday-themed shows and a celebration of the American piano.
The following are among the performances scheduled:
Dar Williams — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. Williams is an American singer-songwriter;
Jesse Colin Young — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. Young, founding member of the classic rock band Youngbloods, will give a solo performance;
Pat Colwell & the Soul Sensations — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. They kick off the center’s holiday season with their show, “Motown Christmas”;
The Campbell Brothers — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. Their show, “Scared Steel Christmas,” presents a variety of material from the African-American Holiness-Pentecostal repertoire with a new twist;
Coig — 7:30 pm. Sunday, Dec. 2. This talented quartet of musicians are returning to perform their show “Celtic Christmas,” which brings a more upbeat rendition of holiday classics;
“The Carpenter’s Christmas” — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. This tribute band plays the Carpenters’ classic Christmas repertoire, including their biggest hits;
Livingston Taylor — 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Taylor plays a mix of his own unique pop, folk, gospel and jazz style to seasonal favorites;
Avner the Eccentric — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2019. He will perform his physical comedy show “Defying Gravity”;
George Winston — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Winston performs his “rural folk piano” to help kick off the center’s celebration of the American piano;
Ivory & Gold — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13. This duo, featuring Anne and Jeff Berhart, celebrates some of the greatest examples of American jazz, blues, ragtime and Broadway hits, with Anne on flute and vocals and Jeff on piano and vocals; and
Jeff Berhart — 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14. This showcase of vintage entertainment features pianist Bernhart playing along to silent films.
The Chocolate Church’s 2018-19 season also has a strong line up of theater productions. Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens the season in September. The Studio Theatre of Bath will present “The Assassins” musical by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman in October. The New Repertory Theatre will present “Animal Farm,” the play based on the 1945 acclaimed novel by George Orwell, that explores themes of power, politics and propaganda at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. The center will produce “Santa Diaries” as a holiday gift to the community on the weekend of Dec. 14-16. “Plaza Suite” by Neil Simon will be staged in the Annex during Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3. And, in partnership with Shakespeare on the Kennebec, the season will conclude with the Shakespearean classic “Twelfth Night” in June 2019.
The Chocolate Church Arts Center season typically involves more than 50 performances of over 30 shows within 41 weeks. All of these shows are available for ticketing at www.chocolatechurcharts.org or for assistance by calling the box office at 207-442-8455.
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