June 27, 2008

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

CAMP Arts

The Tony Awards still feel fresh, so theatre is at the forefront of my brain. It was wonderful to see so many shows honored this year that celebrated diversity and worked to overcome prejudice. The two that stood out were the new musical In the Heights and the brilliant revival of South Pacific. I generally start the column’s calendar events with art galleries, so this time I’ll give priority to the theatre listings.

Welcome to the new kid in town! Well, an old kid that’s been renovated into The Celebration Mall. Formerly Epworth UMC, the “historic” facility (how can something built in 1960 be “historic”??? I guess I qualify as historic, too!) now houses the Rehoboth Beach Theatre of the Arts (20 Baltimore Avenue www.RehobothBeachTheater.com) opening on July 5 and 6 with Beatlemania Now and July 10 with the revue Broadway Fever which runs through August. Hugo Immediato Jr. is producing the shows in conjunction with Weber-Prianti Productions. Immediato and Weber-Prianti co-produced the shows for the Three Little Bakers before the popular dinner-theatre closed in early 2007. Planned shows include Jimmy Buffett, Queen and Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute bands, and a Glenn Miller-style Veteran’s Day show. Show only tickets are $35 with an optional dinner/theatre package for $56 either downstairs in the new Ovations Restaurant or at the Atlantic Seafood Grille at the Atlantic Sands Hotel. For more information call 302-227-9310.

Speaking of South PacificClear Space Productions brings the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic to our area opening July 24 at the Little Theater of Cape Henlopen High (1250 Kings Highway in Lewes) and running through July 27 at that venue before traveling south to Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View and Bayside in Fenwick presented by the Freeman Foundation. The show closes its run at the Schwartz Center in Dover on August 7-8. The show stars opera veteran Eugene Galvin as Emile DeBecque and former Miss Delaware Erin Williams as Nellie Forbush. This local professional theatre company’s cast also features Jerry Birl as Luther Billis and Rehoboth Idol winner Dana Peragallo as Bloody Mary as well as some terrific singing sailors and nurses. For tickets call 302-644-3810 or buy online at www.ClearSpaceProductions.org.

The Henlopen Theatre Project presents the Capital Steps on July 23 at 8:00 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. For tickets call 302-226-4103.

One of the best things about Rehoboth in the summer is the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (www.rehobothbandstand.com). Upcoming shows include: Tommy Edward as Sir Rod (A Rod Stewart Tribute) on Friday, June 27; the U. S. Navy Sea Chanters (the Official Chorus of the U. S. Navy) on Saturday, June 28; the Boilermaker Jazz Band (A Hot Jazz and Swing Band) Sunday, June 29; and the Air National Guard Band Of The Mid-Atlantic on Thursday, July 3. For the Fourth of July the Volunteers of the U.S. Army Field Band will perform pre-fireworks, and The Funsters will perform post-fireworks at 10 p.m. Rounding out the big holiday weekend is an Elvis Tribute featuring Jesse Garron on Saturday, July 5 and Remedy (a Classic Rock band) on Sunday, July 6. Check the website for other upcoming bandstand events it’s always some of the best entertainment aroundand it’s free.

Delaware Comedy Theatre (a non-profit improvisational theater group) celebrates their third anniversary performing in Delmarva with “Have You Seen Us Yet?”a comedy show for adults. The show will be presented as part of an elegant dinner/show package at the Baywood Greens Clubhouse, Route 24, in Long Neck, on Saturday, July 5th. The evening goes from 6-9 and includes dinner, dessert, drink voucher, included gratuity and show for $45 per person. The show is adult-themed and not appropriate for children and reservations are required. Call Baywood Greens at 302-947-9225 for more information. DCT features the talents of Amy Warick, Mark Bringhurst, John Williams, Jeff Hawtof, David Warick, Kyle Levenick, Richard Keller, Brenda Heckert, Helen Perez, Ellen Passman, Ben Wodiska, Mary Ann Benyo, Nate Williams and Valorie Jarrell. If you haven’t seen them yet, you should check them out.

Amandaline Gallery (403 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, 302-226-0330, [email protected]) is showcasing the playful, vibrant animal art by Toronto artist Karen Hoepting, along with works featuring pets through July 5. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary organization.

Gallery 50 (50 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, 302-227-2050, www. 50contemporaryart.com) features Masculine Series by Chad States from June 26-July 6. An Artist’s Reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 5.

Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes, 302- 645-0551, www.peninsula-gallery.com) opens Michele Green’s new exhibit Colors of Delaware with an Artists’ Reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. The exhibit continues through July 29. Ms. Green was named “Artist” for the Delaware State Parks, and her work has been featured in Delaware Today magazine as well as several issues of Outdoor Delaware magazine. Michele’s reputation for painting some of the more remote areas of Delaware includes painting the historical Route 9, from Wilmington to Dover, resulting in one of the largest bodies of artwork ever to record the First State. Much of her work is done en plein aire and as a result she has an intimate and personal relationship with the landscape.

Philip Morton Gallery (47 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, 302-727-0905, www. philipmortongallery.com) presents the return of Dane Tilghman on Friday, June 27. Dane will be presenting his “Sports” series, in addition to many more new works of his “Americana” series. On July 11, an opening reception for Vermont artist, John Whitney, will take place from 5-8 p.m. The show consists of oils and watercolors and will run through July 25.

Ward Ellinger Gallery (39 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, 302-227-2710) features works by Wendy Carr. Recep-tion is July 5, 5-8 p.m. The show runs through July 31.

MOSIAC (The Rehoboth Beach Gallery Collective, www.MosaicRehoboth.com) hold their Second Saturday Receptions from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. Stop by any of the dozen galleries in the Collective and enjoy the art and the camaraderie of other art connoisseurs.

At the Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres, 302-227-8408, www.rehobothartleague.org) through July 13: Conversations: Pastel Paintings by Anita Peghini-Raber in the Homestead Gallery. 35th Annual Members’ Craft Exhibition in the Corkran and Tubbs Galleries. Still Crazy After All These Years: Mixed Media Paintings by Pam Bounds-Seemans in the Ventures Gallery.

There’s a plethora of events to satisfy your cravings! Support the arts.

Send your Arts events to [email protected]

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 08 June 27, 2008