Mahaney new Seacoast Rep resident artist
Rejoice comedy lovers, Kevin Mahaney was recently named the fourth Seacoast Rep resident artist, which means you’ll be seeing that talented mug (five-time Spotlight Award nominee) for some time.
“I’ve been working at the Rep for four years now, a pretty long time now that I think about it,” Mahaney says. “But this has been something I’ve always wanted to do, work fulltime at the Rep. I love the space, the people that work there, the community. So that’s why I did it — cause I love it there.”
Mahaney has worked for Haven, a domestic violence support organization, for sometime; leaving is a little tough, he says. “It’s a wonderful organization. … I feel honored to have worked here, grateful for what I’ve learned, and to take and go out in the world with it.”
His new position will have a mix of responsibilities, performing “the top thing I’ll be doing,” he says. He’ll also run the Rep’s (largely) monthly Cabaret Series, which will feature performers from the current main stage production. “I’ll do a different theme every cabaret, possibly based on what the show is — or whatever,” he says. “I’ll also be taking on some stage managing, some talk about assistant stage managing.”
Drawing on his Haven education position, Mahaney will also be one of the theater’s educational liaisons. There’s also talk of revitalizing the former weekday school performances with a Q & A s and talk-back.
Selecting Mahaney as a resident artist “was kind of a no-brainer,” Co-Artistic Director Brandon James says.
It just happened Mahaney was looking for a change in his life, and the Rep was planning to expand its Resident Artist program — perfect timing, he says.
“Our audience loves Kevin. Everyone loves Kevin. Directors love Kevin. He’s in high demand,” James says. “Literally, in almost in every one of our productions, he gets entrance applause. Everyone wants him on their team.”
Cordner takes on new duties at PPMTV
Chad Cordner has been the executive director at PPMTV since June 1, after a number of years as its Studio Operations manager.
“Getting my footing? I’m getting kind of situated,” Cordner says. “I’m starting to understand all the processes I need to do; there’s a little more busy work then I thought they’d be. But, overall it’s good,” he says. “I did expect it to be a little quicker than this – but in dealing with the obligations (required) to keep the place running – to pay the bills, I’m still working on it.”
Cordner initially had plans to dive into area sports, but said obligations have slowed the process, “but, it’s still in the works,” he says.
There are other new projects taking up resources and time. PPMTV is currently working on two major documentaries.
“Devoted to a Soldier,” backed by Danielle Rocco, is about connecting soldiers through shared stories aimed at aiding those with PTSD. “Danielle is a Marine mom. … This is very dear to her heart,” Cordner says. “She wants to change how soldiers get help.”
PPMTV staff has traveled to numerous states to collect footage. Some interviews to date include Thomas Gabriel, (Johnny Cash’s grandson), Paul Tuttle of “Orange County Choopers,” James Wahlberg, and Antione Chevilier a White House doctor.
“So this is a nationwide documentary that PPMTV is producing, financed by Danielle,” he says. “People all over the country are finding out who we are.”
“It’s like we’re taking a step back to when public TV was more of a source of media, versus big companies with their own agendas,” he adds. “This is the community speaking.”
The second film is “Gambia,” funded by SolHealth, a nonprofit which educates and raises funds to create clean water supplies and healthy living conditions around the world.
PPMTV staff and volunteers have traveled to Africa three times to work on the documentary.
“There really is a lot going on,” Cordner says, “and lots of ideas.”
More blood and confetti at the Opera House
“Evil Dead” is set to return to the Rochester Opera House (Oct. 18 to 26), and Director Danica Carlson says fans can expect “more.”
“Last year‘s performances we had audience members coming back two, three, and four times because they loved it so much. … We decided this previous spring when we were looking at the layout for our season (to bring it back),” she says. “… We decided that we should make it bigger and better for this next go-around; more blood, more special effects, more of the R-rated humor you know and love!”
There’s also a change in the cast. Heidi Gagne is the only returning performer, but this time plays Cheryl. Executive Director Anthony Ejarque is joining the cast, and will play Jake, as his alter ego Dixon DaCooter
“This year we are extending the splash zone to fit 55 seats available to audience members,” she says, (Ponchos available for purchase). “We have added bigger blood cannons, confetti cannons, and more parlor tricks and special effects. I can’t say more because I don’t want to give away our surprises. But I can guarantee that Buck the talking deer head will return.”
Temple get ready for Holiday Bazaar
“Winter Holiday Bazaar Extravaganza,” is a new craft fair, this one set at Temple Israel, Portsmouth.
“We’re looking for about 20 vendors,” Temple Sisterhood Vice President and fair Organizer Jewel B. Davis, says. “It’s going to be what we call … ‘a shopping extravaganza.’ We want to get a high level of both artists and crafts people, selling their finest goods.”
This is the first time in decades the Temple has organized a fair. A friends involvement in one at a
Temple in Massachusetts got Davis thinking. “Really, she gave me the idea and I got excited about doing it here.”
The fair already has participants, members of the congregation, she says. But it’s open to artist/artisans from throughout the area.
The basics: It’s Dec. 1, they’ll offer eight and six-foot tables; multiples may be purchased and it will be staged in Temple’s large social hall.
“It’s first-come first-served for now, but I would like them to email photos of their work,” Davis says. “In case we get too many vendors, I will jury it.”
For information and entry form contact [email protected]
One final word, Temple Israel is a conservative Temple, Davis says. “So I should make it clear … no non-kosher food can go into the social hall. I hate to say it, but we have to do that.”
In her other guises, Davis is a longtime actress, a writer and a professor.
The latter two have dampened the former, but she still takes to the stage. Most recently she appeared in “Jason Jason and Florence” a “Late Night” production at the Players’ Ring, her first time on stage in a year.
“Generally I’m a full-time professor at New Hampshire Technical Institute, Concord Community College,” Davis says. “I teach writing and theater. I started and built the theater program there. … That’s why … I usually do one show a year now.”
Last year’s single show garnered her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the New Hampshire Theatre Association Awards for her performance as Cookie in “Rumors” at Garrison Players
Davis does keep up with her writing. One of her works was recently nominated for inclusion in an anthology for Best of the Net, she’ll be here in October.
– “Yes, it’s busy.”
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