Author Dan Brown presents Seacoast 'Wild Symphony' debut: 7 things to do this weekend

The Seacoast will be treated to a special performance this weekend when best-selling author Dan Brown presents the local debut of his "Wild Symphony" at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday, April 2. The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform as Brown himself narrates, reading the children's book he wrote and published to accompany the symphony. The performance will benefit The Music Hall and the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra.

“'Wild Symphony' is fast becoming a new classic for families the world over, and we’re all looking forward to this special hometown premiere,” said Bob Lord, chair of the Board of Trustees at The Music Hall, chief executive officer of PARMA Recordings and music producer of "Wild Symphony." “This is fun, exciting, beautiful music, and to hear it live in the Historic Theater with Dan himself narrating is going to be a true treat.”

A lifelong musician and composer who counts himself among those inspired at a young age by classics such as "Peter and the Wolf" and "The Carnival of the Animals," Brown has long held music at the core of his artistic life. "Wild Symphony," Brown’s first work for orchestra, features 21 musical portraits drawn from the animal kingdom.

Tickets for the 2 p.m. performance are $28 for adults; $14, children (18 and under) and can be purchased at TheMusicHall.org. For a sneak peek, visit wildsymphony.com.

Bread & Puppet troupe comes to The Millspace

Bread & Puppet returns to The Millspace in Newmarket on Saturday, April 2 with "Finished Waiting," a new show created this winter by B&P director Peter Schumann and the storied Vermont street theater troupe of puppeteers, carpenters, bus drivers, musicians, dancers, agitators and bread-bakers.

"Finished Waiting," according to a press release, is "a show for this moment of political, social, ecological and epidemiological rupture and uncertainty, a moment in which many feel the seduction of a stance of waiting: waiting for the pandemic to be over, for better leaders to be elected, for actions to be taken by the powerful to respond to ecological catastrophe, for families to be reunited or seemingly eternal wars to end. With this show, Bread & Puppet seems to call on us to recognize how nature itself shows us what is possible – what can arise – when we abandon waiting and embrace transformation."

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After the 7 p.m. performance, Bread & Puppet will serve its free sourdough rye bread with aioli, and Bread & Puppet’s “Cheap Art” – books, posters, postcards, pamphlets and banners from the Bread & Puppet Press – will be for sale. Tickets only at the door are a $10 to $25 suggested donation but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The Millspace is located at 55 Main St., Newmarket. Enter the mill's South Entry, River Level

'Jesus Christ Superstar' at The Players' Ring

Through April 10, Dive In Productions is presenting "Jesus Christ Superstar" at The Players’ Ring Theatre in Portsmouth. Right in time for the Easter holiday, "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a timeless work set against the backdrop of a universally known series of events, but seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

"The story, told entirely through a rock score, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire. Dive In Productions is proud to be taking on this story with a cast of entirely female-identifying, trans, and non-binary actors," a press release said.

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“This is a story and a show that is so well known and we have absolutely loved having the chance to tell it with different voices,” said director Jordan Formichelli. “It subverts your expectations, but at the same time reminds us that these stories are more universal than we first perceive. Struggles with faith, identity, purpose, activism, community are so relevant in a time when every day is marked with a new historic event. Having actors who see the world through a queer/femme perspective brings a new layer to the storytelling. Also, an opportunity to show that this show can be done and still rock as much as traditional casting, if not even harder, is always a bonus.”

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. ASL interpreters will be joining the cast for two performances on Saturday April 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $28, $25 for seniors and students at playersring.org. Masks are required inside the venue and all audience members must present their vaccination card or proof of a recent negative COVID test for entry to the theater.

EJ Ouellette & Crazy Maggy at Dance Hall

Front man and songsmith EJ Ouellette takes listeners on a wild ride every time he performs. Leading his band Crazy Maggy, the guitar journeyman and fiddle master demonstrates creativity and passion with original songs and fiddle-driven tunes. They'll perform at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 2 at The Dance Hall in Kittery. Tickets are $15 in advance; $18 at the door. Show is at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, April 3 at the Dance Hall, the rescheduled Spread The Love concert will take place featuring Peggo and Paul Hodes and Kent Allyn. More info and tickets available at thedancehallkittery.org. All performances require proof of full vaccination or of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours. Masks are required indoors for patrons and staff.

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'Small Mouth Sounds' at West End Studio

The unconventional new dramedy "Small Mouth Sounds" continues at the West End Studio Theatre. Directed by CJ Lewis, six runaways from city life embark on a silent retreat in the woods. Filled with insightful humor, this compassionate script asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us. The show runs through April 3. Showtimes and tickets can be found at nhtheatreproject.org/onstagenow.

'La Cage Aux Folles' at Seacoast Repertory

It's the last weekend to see this hit at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth. "La Cage Aux Folles," the musical that preceded the hit motion picture "The Birdcage" runs through April 3. The Tony winning smash hit by "Hello, Dolly" composer Jerry Herman breaks down the barriers between classic musical theatre, gender, and sexuality, and celebrates marching to the beat of your own drum. Tickets range from $25 to $52 and are available at seacoastrep.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dan Brown presents 'Wild Symphony' with Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra