Poolyle Productions, the artistic collaboration of South Berwick residents Susan Poulin and Gordon Carlisle is in high gear.  They have some upcoming performances in Portsmouth:

August 13, 14, 20 & 27, 2 & 8 pm
Ida: Woman Who Runs With The Moose!
ACT ONE Festival of Fun, West End Studio Theater (WEST),Portsmouth, NH
603-300-2986  http://www.actoneonline.blogspot.com

August 21 & 28, 2 & 8 pm
Spousal Deafness and Other Bones Of Contention
ACT ONE Festival of Fun, West End Studio Theater (WEST), Portsmouth, NH, 603-300-2986
http://www.actoneonline.blogspot.com

Mark you calendars for some future performances:
Shutting Up Peggy Lee! will return to WEST Oct. 17-19 & 24-26.
PREMIERE! A Very Ida Christmas at WEST, December 19-21, Friday @ 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday @2:00pm & 7:30pm

Gordon Carlisle has been at work on a public mural in Somersworth.  You can see the mural in progress at Gordon’s web site.

On April 3, 4, and 5^th Marshwood High School presents Godspell, one of the biggest Broadway successes of all time. The show is based on the gospel of Saint Matthew and is the story of Jesus and his disciples. The Marshwood production takes a modern look at Godspell,–and as societal divisions persist and current events echo those when Godspell first opened in the 70’s, during the height of the Vietnam War—-that message resonates still. Set in an urban, graffiti filled, back alley, with a rock band positioned behind chain link fence, Marshwood’s modern day version shows how a community can be formed around a humble young man with a simple and profound message.

Marshwood uses the same music which includes; “Day by Day,” “All Good Gifts,” “Save the People” and “By My Side,” but with a more modern day rock feel. Junior Dakota Fisher, portrays Jesus, as a gentle, yet charismatic young leader in the present day. Judas, played by junior Michael Aldrich, is Jesus’ follower and disciple, until he ultimately betrays him symbolizing the importance that society has place on money and vanity. All the other disciples, also played by Marshwood students, portray roles you might find in modern day society; i.e. waitress, mechanic, homeless person, environmentalist, rocker, college student, etc…

“The production of Godspell, seems to be the biggest challenge I’ve faced so far in putting on a high school musical,” states director Tanya West. “It was not so much about memorizing their lines as much as it was about their journey of understanding the script and the songs, the lessons they were learning and the community they built together. It was important that, while rehearsing almost every day for the last 3 months, each student eventually discover their own meaning or interpretation of the Godspell script and its underlying message. I wanted them to find their own voice and discover how they could positively contribute to the community.”

This 17 student ensemble cast, will perform onstage at the Wesley E. Kennedy Performing Arts Center located within Marshwood High School for three nights only - April 3rd, 4th and 5th - show times: 7:00 pm. You can purchase tickets online at www.msad35.net or at the Marshwood High school main office located on 260 Route 236 South Berwick, Maine 03908. For more information call the high school at (207) 384-4500.

South Berwick is home to artists, writers, and performers. Here are some news stories about some of them:

Susan Poulin:
Susan Poulin fights ennui in ‘Peggy Lee’
Portsmouth Herald News - Portsmouth,NH,USA
And as with any subject the South Berwick, Maine, resident turns her eye on — poignant, pop or both — it’s explored in a warm, amusing and empathetic manner …

VE Kent & Jim Vaughn:
Author visits Portsmouth toy store
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Author VE Kent of South Berwick, Maine, in disguise as Irish fortune teller Maggie Magee, looked closely at the open palm of …

Nicholson Baker:
‘Human Smoke’
New York Times
Nicholson Baker’s pacifist history of World War II is an eloquent and passionate assault on the idea that targeting civilians can ever be justified.

A Profile of Nicholson Baker
New York Times

Local author’s ‘Human Smoke’ offers new look at World War II
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Not everyone in this town knows Nicholson Baker.

Seacoast Entertainment: Controversial local author and national …
Portsmouth Herald
Nicholson Baker of South Berwick, Maine, recently released his latest book, “Human Smoke: The Beginnings of World War II, The End of Civilization,” a …

Susan is happy with her life. Really! At least she thought she was, until the strains of Peggy Lee’s, “Is That All There Is?” started reverberating in her head. Now she’s not so sure. Susan figures this may be as good a time as any to go searching for the meaning of life. She’s hoping this will take about seventy minutes, not counting intermission.

South Berwick’s Poolyle Productions presents the premiere of “Shutting Up Peggy Lee!”, the newest play from the team that brought you “Ida: Woman Who Runs With the Moose!,” “Spousal Deafness and Other Bones of Contention” and “In My Head I’m Thin.” Written and performed by Susan Poulin, with set design by Gordon Carlisle, “Shutting Up Peggy Lee!” is not really about becoming middle aged. It’s about reaching that point in your life where you feel like you’ve arrived, then realizing, “Now what?” Well, maybe it is about being middle aged. Only funnier.

“Shutting Up Peggy Lee!” runs March 28-30 and April 4-6 at The West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH, Friday & Saturday at 8:00pm, and Sunday at 3:00pm. Tickets are $20, $18 for students and seniors. As seating is limited, reservations are strongly recommended. Call 207-384-4526 or email info@poolyle.com. For more on Poolyle Productions, check out their website at www.poolyle.com.