Southport Magazine

What: ‘American Band: Music of the Rock Revolution’
When: May 16-18, 23-25 • 8 p.m.
Where: Franklin Square Park
Corner of Howe and West streets, Southport
Cost: FREE
Info: www.brunswicklittletheatre.com

Growing up, while my friends were listening to Backstreet Boys and Avril Lavigne, the inner console of my Honda Civic was filled with Janis Joplin, the Beatles, and The Carpenters CD’s. I still remember the first time I heard “Me and Bobby McGee,” and in that moment, I knew that music would never be the same to me.

A flower child in another life, I have always believed artists like these have a way of captivating people of all ages. You can’t help but slow dance in your kitchen when you hear “Dream a Little Dream” by The Mamas and the Papas or use your hand as a drum stick against your car door as soon as the first opening beats of “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival come over your radio. These bands and their intoxicating melodies have a way of making us float back in time where we feel invincible and, just for a moment, time stands still.

The Doors’ “Light My Fire” and “Hello, I Love You”, “Black Magic Woman” by Santana, and “Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful are just a handful of bands and their songs that light a fire under Brunswick Little Theatre’s musical director Michael Stringer.

Jen Iapalucci rehearses in Franklin Square Park for Brunswick Little Theatre’s upcoming free performance. Courtesy photo

The theatre company is inviting Southport residents to return to the ’60s and ’70s to pay their respects to the classics as they perform a free music revue entitled “American Band: Music of the Rock Revolution.” I had the opportunity to interview director Mark Deese and Stringer to learn about their vision for this upcoming show that will take place in downtown Southport’s Franklin Square Park this month.

“I just really hope that the crowd can go back in time and understand once again how important this music is,” Deese encouraged. “To me, this music is the backbone of American history and I hope the audience will feel the same way.”

The company seeks to resurrect these artists and their music. “We hope the audience enjoys listening, and it might bring back some fond memories of an earlier time,” Stringer added. “We also hope it will inspire them to come to our other productions.”

Last year Deese and Stringer presented a revue of the 1960s British Invasion which featured songs from The Who, The Rolling Stones, and much more. Titled “Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation,” it was the theatre’s first unscripted, concert atmosphere. It was such an enormous success it became an inspiration for the upcoming performance: This May the music will encompass an assortment of folk, rock and pop tunes from 1965-1973. Stringer said last year’s show was so positive, they thought, Why not perform an American version surrounding roughly the same time frame?

Deese reported last year’s show truly was nothing short of a leap of faith and turned out to be even better than he imagined. “We performed for record crowds and received nothing but positive feedback regarding the quality of the product up onstage,” he noted. “In fact, we were asked to come back for an encore production due to demand, and we were thrilled to accommodate this request.”

And accommodate they have, along with the same musicians and vocalists. The band is comprised of drummer John Parker, bassist Joe Martino, musical director and keyboardist Michael Stringer, guitarists Jim Tewell and Stephen Gossin, and flutist and vocalist Natalie Flow. The vocalists include Charles Patton, Katie Deese, Jen Iapalucci, and Mark Deese.

Now, let’s be honest—one cannot perform songs from The Beach Boys and other great American classics without the “proper attire.” I had a hunch that costumes were to be involved in this musical extravaganza—or maybe it was just my bell-bottoms aching to come out of the closet. While the clothes, designed by Iapalucci, will be a surprise for showgoers until the event, folks can expect iconic looks of the era.

Staying tied to the community of Southport is top on Brunswick Little Theatre’s list. Not only do they want to give back to the community but they want to showcase the amazing talent they have to offer. “We respectfully invite audiences to see our free shows in the park so that they understand the arts are alive and well in their community,” Deese explained. “There are so many talented performers to see throughout the year, whether in the park or inside on the theater stage.”

The talent streaming through Southport is much to be admired, Stringer told me. “I was happy to discover upon moving to the area that we have a really fine talent pool in this community, enabling us to do quality shows,” he assured. “The hard work of starting from scratch and working until it all finally comes together is really satisfying.”

Franklin Square Park provides a comfortable atmosphere for performers and the audience to enjoy the musical flair that Brunswick Little Theatre delivers.  “It’s very informal and people can relax, listen and have a nice evening,” Stringer described.

Brunswick Little Theatre promises an incredible performance, the inviting atmosphere of which will have the courageous swaying along to the sounds of a different time. Seeing the crowd sing and dance along to the music is Deese’s reminder why he puts his heart and soul into each performance.

The show will run May 16th through 18th and May 23rd to 25th in Franklin Square Park, beginning at 8 p.m. nightly. Admission is free and there is ample space for lawn chairs and blankets. Visit www.brunswicklittletheatre.com for more information and a list of other upcoming shows.