The Franco Center opens its 25th season on September 6 and 7 with a Best of Broadway production. These local artists have been rehearsing the biggest hits of Broadway shows all summer long. Courtesy of Franco Center
Come to Lewiston next weekend as the Franco Center opens its 25th season of the greatest hits of Broadway’s most popular shows on September 6 and 7 under the direction of Jake Hodgkin.
Exceptional local artists featured in the 7pm Best of Broadway shows include Jim Hodgkin, Jim McKinley, Eden Bauer, Jen LeBlanc, Jackie Preston, Jenn St. Pierre, Josh Witham, Heather Marichal, Jeff Fairfield, Torrey Gimpel, Michelle Breton, Madison Shepard, Ashleigh St. Pierre, Adrian Morneau, Wes Pierson, Elise Pierson, Lacey Moyse, Bette Sanborn and dancers from Grace Center for Movement.
Best of Broadway crew members include director Jake Hodgkin, assistant director Bette Sanborn, choreographer Samantha Herriot, stage manager Missy Hodgkin, assistant director Allison Marston, sound designer Mark Vigue, and lighting designers Jake Hodgkin and Sarah Greaton.
A pre-show reception with appetizers will be held prior to the September 7 show only. Guests will be able to meet some of Broadway’s finest at the reception. Tickets for this VIP reception can be added during the ticket purchase process online at francocenter.org, in person at the box office, or by calling 689-2000. The box office is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The remainder of the 2024-25 season
“La Rencontre” (the Meeting), which brings together different cultures, performing arts and languages at the Franco Center, takes place four times during the season, in September, December, March and June. Each event focuses on French culture and includes a meal and some form of entertainment.
On September 26, there will be a wine tasting hosted by long-time volunteer Edmond Gay. He will explain how to drink wine and how to pair wine with food. Light appetizers will be served at this early evening event.
Fleetwood Mac fans should mark October 12th on their calendars for the concert by tribute band Crystal Vision. The band members are not only supposed to sound like the original band, but also resemble them physically, says Theresa Shanahan, who is in charge of development and events at the Franco Center.
On October 27, the community-based Fiddle-icious Orchestra returns to the Franco Center. Led by master violinist Don Roy and his wife Cindy on piano, the orchestra performs traditional tunes, dances and songs passed down by Scottish, Irish, Quebec and Acadian ancestors.
Mystery 207 is coming to the Franco Center in mid-fall and will host its murder mystery dinner party at Heritage Hall on Nov. 9. The group’s spokesman said the audience will be able to act as witnesses and participate in funny skits and examine evidence.
More than 30 artists will sing, dance, act and put on a high-energy and festive Christmas production, complete with an impressive light show directed by Jake Hodgkin. The Sights and Sounds of Christmas will take place from December 20-22. Hodgkin said he wants audiences to “take home the Christmas spirit” after seeing the show.
Looking ahead to 2025, Dueling Pianos will perform on February 8. Two pianists will play songs from different genres on two pianos simultaneously. The pianists will take requests from the audience and make the show interactive.
The Franco Center is handicap accessible via an elevator on the Lincoln Street Alley side of the building. Parking is available in the Mill lot on Oxford Street. The venue is located at 46 Cedar St. in Lewiston.
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