lucyrioux

UPCOMING PRODUCTION…WORLDS AFIRE

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 CAST…”WORLDS AFIRE”

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 OUR CAST…”WORLDS AFIRE”

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 CAST…WORLDS AFIRE

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.

WORLDS AFIRE…MEET OUR CAST!

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

Cody Alexander Curtis – Is thrilled to be in his first ever production with Open Book Players. Cody is a passionate storyteller with experience that expands the worlds of film, theatre, directing and so much more. Some of his previous stage roles include Jedidiah Schultz/Matthew Galloway/Aaron Mckinney in The Laramie Project (Schoolhouse Arts Center), Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Gaslight Theatre Company) & Odysseus in The Iliad, The Odyssey & All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less. When not on stage Cody likes to spend his time being adventurous, creative and of course bringing laughter to his friends and family. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this incredibly powerful production and the wonderful cast and crew that have made it possible and an even bigger thank you for the thespians and stage hands that have so willingly given their talents to bring this story to life. ENJOY THE SHOW!

Ray Fletcher – A British/American actor – Ray has performed such diverse roles as, TEVYA, WILLIE LOMAN, FAGIN and BOTTOM. Ray studied theatre at university and was awarded Best Male Musical Performer in a Lead Role by the American College Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
After twenty-five years working in the U.K., Ray returned home to the USA and settled down in Maine. Stage, Film, TV, Audiobooks, Podcasts, Reader’s Theatre – okay, but this new Virtual Stuff? Oh, well, ‘Old Dog, New Tricks’!!