In 1963, Criterion Studios declared, “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.” And that was for a comedy. Currently, our “mad world” might not seem like much to laugh about. But in such times, the arts provide a respite.
The April concert series by the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Grammy winner Michael Repper conducting, invites us to slow down and – while it’s a bit early to smell the roses – sit back and breathe in the quieter side of life. “Afternoon Soliloquy” by American string orchestra composer Susan Day, perhaps best known for her “Whispering Pines” country hit, beacons us to let go of anxiety and listen to the soft voice of a gentle breeze. Yukiko Nishimura’s “Nightfall”captures the fading light of the day drifting sleepily toward the night as early luminosity surrenders to a soothing unwinding.
Dobrinka Tabakova’s “Dawn” brings us full circle from the wee a.m. hours to the day’s yawning stretch toward sunrise, which heralds Hadyn’s round-the-clock triptych – (Symphonies 6, 7 and 8), “Morning,” “Day” and Night” – wrapping up two days in a pair orchestral sets. Concerts are April 9-12, first in Easton and then in Rehoboth Beach and Ocean Pines.
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Speaking of seasons, the Easton-based Factory Arts Project, partnering with Groove Theatre of Cambridge, begins a robust spring-to-summer theatrical offering of four plays you would never see all in a row on the Eastern Shore without a familiar title among them. The title of the first, “53% Of” opening on April 16 as off-year election primary season begins to proliferate – Maryland’s is in June – refers to political splits within an upper middle-class group of family and friends.
Looking to June, “Perfect Arrangement” directed in Chestertown by Groove Theatre founder E.T. Wilford and set in 1950s D.C., reveals deeper realities about a seemingly traditional married couple. In July, The Factory presents Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapine Agile” – this play I’ve seen twice – brilliantly imagines a chance encounter in a Paris bar between 20-somethings Albert Einstein and the soon-to-be-famous painter.The ambitious season closes in August with “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” as young Catholics clash over the future of faith, politics and friendship in America. Imagine that in such an election year as 2026.
APRIL TO AUGUST, MUSIC & THEATRE
“April Morning, Afternoon and Evening,” Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, April 9, Easton Church of God; April 11, Ellsworth United Methodist Church, Rehoboth Beach; April 12, Community Church of Ocean Pines. midatlanticsymphony.org
The Factory Arts Project/Groove Theatre: “53% Of,” April 16-19, Waterfowl Building, Easton; “Perfect Arrangement,” June 5-7, Garfield Center, Chestertown; “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” July 10-12, Avalon Theatre, Easton: “Heroes of the Fourth Turning,” Aug. 6-9, Easton. thefactoryartsproject.org
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