Author: lucyrioux

UPDATE…First of all, on behalf of the Open Book Players Board, I am hoping that you had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving shared with family and/or friends!
As regards our fundraising goal of $1,000, we are a bit higher than 1/2 way there! If you are able to help contribute to help us reach this goal, please check out the attached letter and sponsorship sheet that will provide you with this information. Remember that we are a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization which means your contribution is tax deductible. We are hoping to reach our goal by the end of December. Thanks to all who already contributed and hopefully we will hear from some of you in the near future. Please share and help us spread the word.

Dear Friends of Open Book Players…As we continue to celebrate our 30th year of offering a variety of performances and programs using our staged readers theatre format, it appears that we must now seek financial support above our usual box office proceeds. Our overhead is very low and our organization is completely run by volunteers, but our operating expenses have increased beyond our control. I am attaching my letter and the sponsorship form that describes our various levels of involvement which includes that of membership recognition or commercial ads, both added to our programs and advertising. Our goal is modest…to raise at least $1,000 before the end of the year. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which would make your donation tax deductible.
Thank you for your consideration and do feel free to share this information. As Artistic Director of Open Book Players, I am very proud of what we have done over the past 30 years, and with your help, we can continue to do so…Lucy

ANOTHER WONDERFUL SHOW BY AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS CAST!!! BRAVO!!!

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT…WORLDS AFIRE AT 7:30 P.M. AT Johnson Hall Opera House! ADMISSION PAID AT THE DOOR, PREFERABLY WITH CASH OR CHECK, BUT VENMO PURCHASE IS AVAILABLE. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

THE CAST IS READY…WORLDS AFIRE ON NOV. 1ST AT 7:30 P.M. AND NOV. 2ND AT 2:00 P.M. AT Johnson Hall Opera House…COME AND JOIN US FOR THIS TOUCHING PIECE OF TRUE HISTORY!!!

This marvelous cast is waiting to see you this weekend in the production of “Worlds Afire”…November 1st, 7:30 p.m. and November 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson Hall Opera House…hope to see you there! Spread the word!

JOIN US ON NOVEMBER 1ST AT 7:30 P.M. OR 2ND AT 2:00 P.M. FOR THIS AMAZING PRODUCTION AND TALENTED CAST AT Johnson Hall Opera House…BASED ON A TRUE EVENT THAT WILL TOUCH YOUR HEARTS!

MEET OUR FINAL THREE CAST MEMBERS FOR OUR UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF “WORLDS AFIRE”…

Joe Blackwell… Joe has been involved with theater for 45 years,working with various groups in Central Maine and Northern Virginia. His most recent stage appearances with Open Book Players were in the ensemble in Thurber Fables and as Andy in Love Letters. He’s overjoyed to be working again with Lucy and with such a talented ensemble.

Eve Blackwell… Eve is now in her 4th Open Book Players show at Johnson Hall, the 1st Twain by the Tale back in Nov. 2021 & Something Wicked This Way Comes in Oct. 2024. She also was in Reading Rumpus in Sept. 2024 and enjoyed that because she got to use her Children’s Librarian reading skills. In April 2025 she was in Thurber Fables … For Adults. She has been doing some form of theatre since 1979 in all aspects of the art from selling tickets – being one of the leads especially in musicals. Thank You Lucy for letting me still do what I love!

Brenda Butler… Brenda is excited to be back on stage. This is her second production with Open Book Players where she previously appeared in Fairytales With A Twist. When she isn’t on stage, she enjoys cooking, crafts and playing with her dog, Snowball.

MEET ANOTHER TWO ACTORS FROM OUT UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF “WORLDS AFIRE”…

Mike Rowe…Mike has been associated with over 24 community theaters since 2006 as a performer, voice, and reading actor, director, playwright and producer with over 130 productions. Mike was a principal character portraying Will, the owner of a junkyard, in the Amazon Primetime feature film, “Rocket Club”, as well as an extra in “The Congressman” with Treat Williams.

Mike is excited to be a part of this excellent readers group and outstanding director performing this poignant poem of an actual tragedy in American history.

BETH ROWE…Beth has been with over 12 community theaters as an actor, voice, and reader performer since 2008. She had a close-up in the feature movie, “Blow The Man Down,” with Margo Martindale. Beth is very happy to be working with such talented actors and an experienced director.

MEET OUR NEXT TWO ACTORS IN OUR UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF “WORLDS AFIRE”…

Nik Peterson grew up doing theater throughout much of his childhood. Credits include Donkey in Shrek: The Musical, Mortimer Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, and “The Drunk” in Guys and Dolls. He is excited to return to the theater after a multi-year hiatus- reuniting with his long-time director and mentors Lucy Rioux and Cindy Turcotte.

Cindy Turcotte has been a part of Open Book Players since it began in1996. It is and has been such a pleasure to work with all of the board members who have graced us over the years. One of my greatest pleasures is getting to bring to life the words that are written on the pages of such wonderful author/illustrators works. Secondly, getting to work with amazing people who work so hard to offer you the joys of Reader’s Theatre. Open Book Players is where my heart is. It is such a pleasure to be able to perform once again in “Worlds Afire” and with a stellar cast.