Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news

Somersworth High School presents 'Little Shop of Horrors'

SOMERSWORTH – The Somersworth High School Drama Club will present their yearly spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors, March 21-23. This is the first SHS musical production under the direction of Drama and Choir Director Miles Burns.

This year’s production will star an incredibly varied cast of students, including student scholars, hockey players, cheerleaders, all-state musicians, football players, fantastic instrumentalists, and so many more. 

Performances will be Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m., Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for general audience members and $7 for students, seniors, and veterans. All tickets are available in advance at www.SomersworthMusic.com, and in person one hour prior to the show start. Performances will take place in the Hilltop Playhouse, located in the Somersworth High School and Career Technical Center at 11 Memorial Drive, Somersworth.

Andrea Veal Voice Studio sends 15 to the New Hampshire All-State Festival

ROCHESTER — Fifteen members of the Andrea Veal Voice Studio in Rochester were selected for the New Hampshire All-State Chorus this year.  Accepted students hailed from Spaulding High School, Portsmouth Christian Academy, Exeter High School, and Oyster River High School.  Students are selected using a rigorous audition process in November.  Studio members begin their preparations for the audition in June with group classes on rhythm and pitch reading, individual lessons to learn the audition songs, and group mock auditions.  Studio director Andrea Veal has been coaching students for All-State for over 20 years and is herself a judge for the audition, so she has special insight into the process.

Students met at the Studio on March 10 to rehearse the choral music for the All-State Festival, which is coming up on April 6.  Singers who are selected for the Festival Chorus receive 5-6 choral pieces in January to learn before their arrival at the Festival in April.  At the Festival, singers from around the state rehearse for two days together and end with a fantastic concert.  Studio director Andrea Veal says, “It’s a lot to prepare for the All-State audition, but once you’re accepted, the work doesn’t stop there.  You have a lot of music to learn for the Festival so that you can present the very best concert.  We work together to learn the Festival music in advance so that the students go into the rehearsals feeling relaxed and confident in their preparation!”

The Andrea Veal Voice Studio has been helping singers learn to sing from the heart since 2003.

Community Chorus of South Berwick announces spring concerts

EXETER — The Community Chorus of South Berwick announced that their spring concerts will be under the direction of Dr. Amy Kotsonis as she makes her debut as their Conductor and Artistic Director. Currently serving as the Director of Choral Studies at the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Kotsonis brings with her a wealth of knowledge and extensive choral experience at both the collegiate and community levels.

For this spring’s program entitled “take Courage, take Hope, take Joy”, Dr. Kotsonis thoughtfully selected pieces as a way to celebrate the many different people who sing with the chorus who, in turn, reflect the many different communities for whom they sing.

The concert will open with a collection of shorter pieces written largely by American composers representing different styles and time periods. The second half of the program will feature Mozart’s masterwork “Solemn Vespers” sung in Latin and accompanied by organ, string ensemble, and percussion.

The Community Chorus of South Berwick will hold two concerts, the first of which will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Eliot United Methodist Church (aka Living Water UMC), 238 Route 236 (Dow Highway), Eliot, Maine. The second concert will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 14 at Christ Church Episcopal, 43 Pine St., Exeter, N.H.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit CCSB-sing.org.

'Eccentric Portraiture' unveiled at The Art Center

DOVER — The Art Center announced the unveiling of "Eccentric Portraiture," an exhibition by local artist Eddie Langlois. The showcase, which will run until the end of April, invites art enthusiasts to experience Langlois' captivating collection.

In Eccentric Portraiture, Langlois captures the essence of each subject with a blend of uniqueness and provocation. He infuses his artwork with raw honesty and emotion, creating pieces that exude vulnerability. Vintage frames are integral to the presentation, seamlessly intertwining with the artwork.

Langlois' use of color, texture, and gesture, along with the incorporation of pastel, oil paints, and fabrics, imbues his portraits with a lifelike quality. Each painting possesses an endearing honesty and soulfulness, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the complexities of the human experience.

As a self-taught artist who cultivated his passion from a young age, Langlois' affinity for creation shines through in "Eccentric Portraiture." His theatrical background enables him to breathe life into each piece, allowing the personalities of his subjects to radiate from the canvas. "Eccentric Portraiture" promises to be a captivating exploration of Langlois' artistic vision and talent. 

"Eccentric Portraiture" runs through the end of April, with an Artist Reception on Saturday, April 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1 Washington St., Suite 1177, Dover.

The Art Center presents 'Nature Walks,' an exhibition showcasing artwork by Pep Manalang

DOVER — Inspired by the vibrant Virginia foliage, creeks, and trees encountered during the fall of 2020, Pep Manalang's paintings capture the essence of these natural wonders. Through a blend of hard-edged colored rectangles and organic, unstructured shapes, Manalang's more significant works such as "A Change of Season," "Rain Shower," and "A Walk in the Woods" reveal a sense of harmony between geometric precision and the fluidity of nature. Complemented by smaller square paintings reflecting the diverse palette of the natural world, "Nature Walks" is a testament to the artist's personal exploration and deep connection with the environment.

"Nature Walks" will be on display through the end of April, with an artist reception on Saturday, April 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Art Center, 1 Washington St., Suite 1177, Dover.