The Bolshoi Ballet's Coppelia

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The Black Lillies have never backed down from a challenge. Proudly independent since their formation, they are always pushing forward and evolving, letting the inspiration and music take focus. That drive has led them to become one of Americana's biggest success stories: an internationally-renowned band of roots-rockers, armed with songs that blur the boundaries between folk, soul, red dirt country, blues and rock.

With four albums under their belts, the band has been a mainstay on radio and album sales charts, promoting each release in the blue-collar tradition: by hitting the highway, averaging 175 gigs per year. That road-warrior work ethic has become as integral to the band's success as founder Cruz Contreras' songwriting, taking the band from coast to coast, border to border, and even country to country. And they have racked up accolades as easily as the miles on their Sprinter, winning praise from outlets including American Songwriter, Rolling Stone, NPR, CMT, Wall Street Journal and Billboard.

The Black Lillies have enthralled audiences at festivals including Bonnaroo Music + Arts, New Orleans Jazz Fest, MerleFest, Stagecoach, CMA Fest & Fan Fair, and Pickathon. Equally at home on theatre stages and in rock clubs, they were one of the first independent bands to play the Grand Ole Opry and have since returned dozens of times - sharing that stage with big-budget bands and major-label mainstreamers. They've chased down success on their terms, ignoring the trends of Nashville and focusing on a sound that, as Vanity Fair notes, "continues to cross generations and musical genres ? country, folk, blues and a touch of the Dead, for good measure."

After a major lineup change in 2016 following the departure of two longterm members, bassist/vocalist Sam Quinn joined the fold. A musician with his own cult following due to his role as one half of the driving force behind indie folk darlings the everybodyfields as well as his solo work, he initially signed on to fill in for four shows ? but the chemistry was undeniable, and he stayed. Soon after, guitar slinger/vocalist Dustin Schaefer, fresh off a stint with Micky and the Motorcars and a singer/songwriter in his own right, jumped into the mix. And suddenly, the group went from a band with one songwriter to a band with three ? plus a drummer, longtime member Bowman Townsend, who helps with song arrangements.

After eight years, four albums, and over a thousand shows, The Black Lillies have evolved from a group of people playing Cruz?s music to a REAL BAND ? a group of collaborators who spend as much time together off the road as they do on the road; where everyone contributes and weighs in on the ultimate vision; where a song could be written by any member (or multiple members); where the music takes priority over absolutely everything else. They?re building on that foundation of strong roots rock and creating something brand new. Even classic Black Lillies songs sound fresh and reimagined in their hands ? with lush, layered harmonies, a funky edge, and the undeniable chemistry that radiates from the musicians on stage.

With a new configuration, new songs and the same dedication to touring, the Lillies continue to sink their roots deep into the musical landscape. The band will head into the studio in February to begin work on their new album, due out fall 2018 on Thirty Tigers.

With smart, observational humor and a legendary spontaneous interaction with the crowd, Paula Poundstone is one of our country?s pre-eminent comedians. She improvises with a crowd like a Jazz musician, swinging in unexpected directions without a plan, without a net. There's a disarming ease in her craft, an immediate sense that she's so quick on her feet you need never worry about the possibility of something going wrong.

Poundstone?s razor sharp wit and impeccable timing makes for the perfect fit as a regular panelist on NPR?s #1 show, the weekly comedy news quiz, Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me! When asked about Paula, Wait, Wait host Peter Sagal replied,"Paula Poundstone is the funniest human being I have ever known. Everything she does, thinks, or says is hilarious. If you cut her into bits, each piece would be funny. (But don?t!). Air becomes funny having been breathed by her.?

Paula is also an Author. She just released her second book, the critically acclaimed, The Totally Unscientific Study Of The Search For Human Happiness(Algonquin Books). The book landed at #1 on Amazon Best Sellers lists in humor in Hardcover, Audible and CD. Paula voiced the character ?Forgetter Paula? in Inside Out, winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Her commentaries appear on CBS Sunday Morning and guest appearances include Late Night with Stephen Colbert, Last Call with Carson Daly, Nerdist withChris Hardwick,Weekend Edition and ?Puzzle Master? with Will Shortz! Oh, and did anyone notice that this past year she was an answer in the New York Times Crossword Puzzle?

Paula was the first woman, in its then 73rd year, to perform standup comedy at the White House Correspondents? Dinner. A star of several HBO specials ? her 2nd special, Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard marked the first time that elite university allowed its name to be used in the title of a television show. Paula also starred in her own series on HBO and ABC, The Paula Poundstone Show. Her memorable coverage of the 1992 Presidential election as a special correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, followed by behind-the-scenes coverage at the 45th Annual Prime Time Emmy Awards in 1993 set the standard for those who followed.

Paula is recognized on Comedy Central?s list of The 100 Best Standup Comics of All Time. She won an American Comedy Award for Best Female Standup Comic, and she is included in innumerable lists, documentaries and literary compendiums noting influential standup comedians of our time.

The Black Lillies have never backed down from a challenge. Proudly independent since their formation, they are always pushing forward and evolving, letting the inspiration and music take focus. That drive has led them to become one of Americana's biggest success stories: an internationally-renowned band of roots-rockers, armed with songs that blur the boundaries between folk, soul, red dirt country, blues and rock.

With four albums under their belts, the band has been a mainstay on radio and album sales charts, promoting each release in the blue-collar tradition: by hitting the highway, averaging 175 gigs per year. That road-warrior work ethic has become as integral to the band's success as founder Cruz Contreras' songwriting, taking the band from coast to coast, border to border, and even country to country. And they have racked up accolades as easily as the miles on their Sprinter, winning praise from outlets including American Songwriter, Rolling Stone, NPR, CMT, Wall Street Journal and Billboard.

The Black Lillies have enthralled audiences at festivals including Bonnaroo Music + Arts, New Orleans Jazz Fest, MerleFest, Stagecoach, CMA Fest & Fan Fair, and Pickathon. Equally at home on theatre stages and in rock clubs, they were one of the first independent bands to play the Grand Ole Opry and have since returned dozens of times - sharing that stage with big-budget bands and major-label mainstreamers. They've chased down success on their terms, ignoring the trends of Nashville and focusing on a sound that, as Vanity Fair notes, "continues to cross generations and musical genres ? country, folk, blues and a touch of the Dead, for good measure."

After a major lineup change in 2016 following the departure of two longterm members, bassist/vocalist Sam Quinn joined the fold. A musician with his own cult following due to his role as one half of the driving force behind indie folk darlings the everybodyfields as well as his solo work, he initially signed on to fill in for four shows ? but the chemistry was undeniable, and he stayed. Soon after, guitar slinger/vocalist Dustin Schaefer, fresh off a stint with Micky and the Motorcars and a singer/songwriter in his own right, jumped into the mix. And suddenly, the group went from a band with one songwriter to a band with three ? plus a drummer, longtime member Bowman Townsend, who helps with song arrangements.

After eight years, four albums, and over a thousand shows, The Black Lillies have evolved from a group of people playing Cruz?s music to a REAL BAND ? a group of collaborators who spend as much time together off the road as they do on the road; where everyone contributes and weighs in on the ultimate vision; where a song could be written by any member (or multiple members); where the music takes priority over absolutely everything else. They?re building on that foundation of strong roots rock and creating something brand new. Even classic Black Lillies songs sound fresh and reimagined in their hands ? with lush, layered harmonies, a funky edge, and the undeniable chemistry that radiates from the musicians on stage.

With a new configuration, new songs and the same dedication to touring, the Lillies continue to sink their roots deep into the musical landscape. The band will head into the studio in February to begin work on their new album, due out fall 2018 on Thirty Tigers.

The Chocolate Church Arts Center will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (by arrangement with The Musical Company), opening September 7, 2018 on the Main Stage located at 804 Washington Street, Bath, Maine. Thom Watson will direct, with musical direction by Teresa Henderson of Gardiner and with a rock band led by Mark McNeil of West Bath. Choreography by Ashley Steeves of Portland.

Open Auditions are scheduled for Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8 beginning at 1pm at the Chocolate Church. Cast will include adults and teens, and children grades 3 through 8. Auditions should include at least one song from the show or a song of choice. Please come to auditions prepared to list any conflict dates you have for rehearsals. FMI call the box office at (207) 442-8455.