A Very Warm Welcome to all for this year’s Maine Event which is called The Big Maine Event,
There is no apparent reason to celebrate this year. We could celebrate our recent anniversary, birthdays coming or going…….Bill Cosby’s birthday is today (Happy Birthday, Bill}.
“We don’t need a reason, don’t need a rhyme .. . IT’S STEPPIN’ TIME! Thanks Mary Poppins.
Ever since our chance meeting with Mr. Braithwaite or rather Thommie Retter who brought him to life on the Broadway stage in Billy Elliot, one of our favorite characters in the production, we have had cause to celebrate,
On the closing night of the show, one of our group spotted Thommie on the sidewalk waiting for his family.
That was when the fun began. We immediately attached ourselves to Thommie and his fabulous family, This included tap dancing lessons. When we learned that the Retters had never been to Maine, we decided to ask them to help with a fundraiser for the Portland Players. So just like Judy and Mickey, we decided to put on a Broadway Show.
Thommie brought a group from Billy Elliot and we added our very talented local young folks. It was quite a celebration and this is our third year. A lot of lasting friendships were made. Thommie’s joy and enthusiasm is catching and we love him.
Thank you, Thommie.
Peter and I have had great fun watching these great talented young people follow their dreams and often get to see them perform. And always we note that it is made possible by parents who love and encourage them.
So including helping in some way the Portland Players, our intention is to give encouragement to our future stars from here and Broadway to follow their dreams and in the process enjoy ourselves immensely…which we do.
A very special thanks to both Gary Snyder and John Canning for their continued generosity, love and support to the arts and artists! We want to also show our appreciation to Sam Rinaldi, Nancy Lupien, President Alex Pratt and the board of the Players and all the friends who helped make this possible. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your talents and for all the work you have done. None of this would be possible without you.
Lots of love,
Marietta and Peter French
