ACT ONE presents ‘Mid-Life Crisis Cabaret’

The latest offering from Poolyle Productions has an unusual rating. The play, called “Mid-Life Crisis Cabaret,” is rated GP 30: “you must be over 30 to understand what the heck we’re talking about!”

Starring Pat Spalding, Gordon Carlyle and Susan Poulin, the show takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23, at West End Studio Theatre in Portsmouth. The comedic musical deals with issues known all too well to audience members entering their “not-so Golden Years,” such as insomnia, hip replacement, antacids and memory loss. But it also includes subtle wisps of wisdom.

The play is part of ACT ONE’s third annual Festival of Fun, which presents comedies, concerts and stories at W.E.S.T. through Nov. 6. The final installment of the festival’s main stage series, “Over the River & Through the Woods,” runs through Sept. 5. For more information, visit www.actonenh.org.

“Mid-Life Crisis Cabaret” takes place at 2 and 8 p.m. on Aug. 22 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 23. Tickets are $18, or $16 for those 65 and over. West End Studio Theatre is at 959 Islington St., Portsmouth. For tickets, call 603-300-2986.

introducing Sole City Dance

After 25 years, several mission statements and two devastating floods, Arts Rochester has adopted a new name, Sole City Dance.

The title pays tribute to Rochester’s shoe industry and the shoes a dancer requires. “And it’s just plain fun,” said board president Dan Hussey in a press release.

According to the Board of Trustees, the new name will better reflect what the organization has come to focus on in recent years: dance education. Executive director Christine Hounsell added, “It’s not a stretch to also say our dance programs are soulful.”

Sole City Dance’s schedule of fall classes includes classical ballet, jazz, modern, rhythm tap, hip-hop, ballroom dance and even yoga for students of all levels. Special programs are offered for children ages 3 to 6. The theater group’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” will be performed at the Rochester Opera House around the holidays. Auditions will be held the second weekend of September.

An open house and registration for classes will be held on Thursday, Aug. 20, and Monday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m.

Arts Rochester was founded in 1983 by local arts supporters who raised funds to restore the Rochester Opera House. The organization evolved into a community theater group, performing plays and musicals in venues around the city. In 2003, Rochester Creative Arts Center merged with the organization, making it a performance and arts education center.

Since its custom-built facility in the Gonic Mill was flooded, the organization moved into the Rochester Community Center at 150 Wakefield St. Visit www.solecitydance.org or call 330-0111 for more information.

NHTP announces new season

The New Hampshire Theatre Project recently announced the schedule for its 2009-2010 performance season.   

The season begins with “Seascape” by Edward Albee, directed by Blair Hundertmark, running Nov. 13 to 29. “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes, adapted and directed by Genevieve Aichele and Meghann Beauchamp, runs Jan. 8 to 24. “You Can’t Take It with You” by George S. Kaufmann and Moss Hart, directed by Genevieve Aichele, concludes the schedule from May 14 to 23.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for general admission or $15 for students and seniors. For advance reservations, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The theater group’s performance venue is located at 959 Islington St. in Portsmouth. For more information, visit www.nhtheatreproject.org or call 603-431-6644.

new performance venue opening in Salisbury

A new year-round, live entertainment venue, the Tupelo Music Hall Salisbury, is expected to hold its first performance in late fall on Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts. A return of nationally and regionally recognized artists to the beach will recall the destination’s heyday.

The oceanfront facility is the result of a partnership between the New Pavilion at Salisbury Beach and Tupelo Music Hall of Londonderry. The New Pavilion complex houses the recently opened Seaglass Restaurant & Lounge and the entertainment venue. 

Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry presents contemporary and classic music performers in an intimate setting. It caters to adults ranging in age from their 30s to their 60s. The Music Hall at The New Pavilion will present artists in a wide range of genres, including rock, R&B, jazz and country. It will also feature comedy shows and children’s entertainers.

The facility in Salisbury will have a seating capacity of 560 people. Most seats will be within 40 feet of the stage and the versatile space can be configured as needed, including cabaret style with cocktail table seating, traditional theater style or open floor for larger general admission shows. The venue will offer table service with a limited menu and full bar. It plans to present 100 shows within the first year of operation.

The Pavilion is located at 4 Oceanfront North on Salisbury Beach. For more information, visit www.salisburypavilion.com.