Chamber Theater to present Benet classic

CAMDEN — The Chamber Theater of Maine will present Stephen Vincent Benet’s “John Brown’s Body” during the month of May. Four performances of the classic of American literature will be offered in three towns.

The play, based on Benet’s epic poem and set against the background of the Civil War, will open Friday, May 10, at the Congregational Church on Limerock Street in Rockland. The Community Center in Belfast will host the production for Friday and Saturday performances on May 17 and 19. The final performance will take place Saturday, May 25, at the Rockport Opera House.

The production will benefit Amnesty International USA, a worldwide organization dedicated to human rights action and awareness. Last year, Amnesty’s Group 371 of Camden sponsored the successful production of “A Peasant of El Salvador,” which was performed by Alternative Camden Theater.

The Chamber Theater of Maine (CTM) was founded by Robert A. Denning in 1990 with the goal of expanding the availability of live theater in the midcoast area. In addition to six professional actors, the company also has eight apprentices. The young company plans an active summer of theater performances and continuing association with “Arts Alive” programs at Baycenter in Belfast.

Denning, a member of the Actor’s Equity Association, brings 35 years of theater experience to his role as director of the play. He will be assisted by Kay Jones.

The actors are John Lambert, Erika Pfander, Ira Purgalin, Martha Piscuskas, and Miranda Adams. Emiliano Marino will perform the music.

Tickets are $8 for the public with a special student/senior citizen rate of $5. Tickets may be purchased at the door beginning at 7:30 p.m. or at any of the following locations: Camden Home Bakery and Heather Harland, Camden; Fertile Mind Bookstore, Belfast; Huston-Tuttle, Rockland; Thomaston Books and Prints, Thomaston.

All performances begin at 8:20 p.m. For reservations or further information, call 354-8509.