The David Mitton Project at the MAC
The Marion Art Center welcomes “The David Mitton Project” to the MAC stage on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7).
David Mitton, a graduate from the Longy School of Music (2010) is a saxophonist and composer. Since graduating he has produced three albums: Catapult (2013), Microcosm (2015), and Trace (2018) under the name The David Mitton Project.
Mitton has been performing regularly with The Flying Dutchmen for nearly 5 years and is in the process of writing a practice guide for scales, in relation to composition and improvisation. Mitton’s musical style is within the jazz idiom, with a focus on hard bop and free jazz, as well as more popular styles such as funk and R&B.
Expect to hear interplay between instruments and improvisation over progressions, influenced by such genres. Mitton will perform original material and what he calls “underrated standards,” rearranged to make them his own.
The David Mitton Project also includes Jim Robitaille on guitar, John Dalton on drums, and Stefano Battaglia on bass. Jim Robitaille is a seasoned guitarist and composer and a professor of music at UMass Dartmouth, having performed with legendary musicians such as David Liebman and Royal Hartigan. John Dalton, a graduate from UMass Dartmouth, is making his way through the Boston music scene as both a performer and teacher. Stefano Battaglia is a bassist from Italy and a student at the world-renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston.
Tickets are available in person, by phone, or online at marionartcenter.org/musicatthemac. A limited number of cabaret tables (seating for 4) are available. Attendees may bring their own refreshments to enjoy with the music.
Auditions for Be My Baby at the MAC
The Marion Art Center has announced open auditions for the upcoming production of “Be My Baby” by Ken Ludwig, directed by Pippa Asker.
“Be My Baby” tells the story of John, an irascible Scotsman, and Maud, an uptight English woman, both in their 60s, who take on the journey of a lifetime.
When their young wards, Christy and Gloria, decide to marry and then decide to adopt a child, the older couple (who despise each other) have to travel 6,000 miles to California to pick up the child and bring her safely home to Scotland.
Along the way they encounter a host of characters (played by a male and a female who play them all!) and form a new partnership while caring for the helpless newborn. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant, “Be My Baby” is a heartwarming story of life, of loss, and most of all, love.
Auditions will be held on Saturday, March 2, between 10 a.m. and noon, and on Tuesday, March 5, between 7 and 9 p.m. at the Marion Art Center, 80 Pleasant St. (the corner of Main and Pleasant streets), in Marion. Performances will be Friday, May 31 through Sunday June 2 and Thursday June 6 through Sunday, June 9. The Sunday performances will start at 2 p.m. and all other performances will start at 7:30 p.m.
Director Pippa Asker will be casting three females and three males. Roles include (accents required, direction provided): John Campbell - Scotsman, reads 55 - 65; Maud Kinch - English woman, reads 50-65; Christy McCall - John’s ward, Scots, reads 20-something; Gloria Nance - Maud’s niece, English, reads 20-something. Additionally, Asker will cast two ensemble parts (fun roles with great variety): Male ensemble (one actor) - plays several small roles, such as gardener, Scots priest, bellhop, waiter, judge; Female ensemble (one actor) - plays several small roles, such as cook, flight attendant, social worker, attorney, waitress.
Asker is also seeking a stage team to work with the director to create and change unique settings for several scenes. Roles include: stage manager, stage hands, and stage designers.
Get the best of Coastin’ delivered to your inbox each week. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter by visiting myprofile.southcoasttoday.com.