WALDOBORO — The Waldo Theatre has finalized the lineup for Waldoboro’s 2024 Talent Show on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m., and the Waldoboro Fire Department is one of its headliners. Joining them in the program are numbers by Morganne Price and her dog Kraken, Derek Booker and the EMS, and, if luck prevails, a trio of clam harvesters led by Abden Simmons. It will be a community evening for all ages.

Other highlights include the Tea for Two Tappers (former students of Savion Glover and Gregory Hines); Lindsay Smith and Conrad Winslow performing Sondheim; 17-year old Adrian Quinn playing Chopin’s Waltz in A minor; and the Family of God Quintet from First Baptist Church.

Most of the acts are musical, with a ukelele duet, a jazzy riff or two, several original songs for voice and guitar, and vocals by locals Michelle Carter, Rebecca Brackett, Mauri Lord, Hannah Basham, Becky Libby, Erasmus Moore, 12-year old Helena Strong, Scott Simpson, Rob Clark, Pat and Tish Brundage, and the Hayseed Highlanders. Those numbers will be peppered with acts by Ken Stevenson and Sponge Bob Square Pants; Dancemainea; Alexa Stark styling a fashion runway show drawn from from Waldoboro’s Clothing Closet; and a poem, “A Song for Waldoboro,” written and recited by Melissa Barbour.

Sam Pennington will act as emcee the free event.

Contributions in any amount, which can be made online while reserving tickets, will support the Waldo’s variety of community programs. ADA seating is limited and should be reserved in advance. 

As organizer and producer Rebecca Cooney says, “This is a night to bring everyone under one roof – singing, clapping, dancing in the aisles and just plain supporting each other – and at its end, walking out sprinkled with fairy dust.”

Cooney added, “I’ve dreamed of this ever since I walked into the Waldo two years ago to volunteer as an usher. I was amazed at this theater’s potential, right in the center of town, for drawing all parts of our town together, because I am in love with Waldoboro. And what better time than now?”

This evening was an idea long in the making. This past March, Waldo board member Michael Amico seized on the idea. With his support and counsel, the theater agreed.

From there, other volunteers joined in. George Bates and Willy Wong designed the graphics and posters. Waldo Theatre photographer and filmmaker Nathan Butler has created a series of “commercials” about five eccentric Waldobororians. And stage manager Ashley Steeves, of Bath’s Resurgence Dance Company and stage manager for Dancemainea, is managing the ebb and flow of talent, many of whom have never been on stage before.

“But we’re prepared. We have a powerhouse of tech professionals who are ready to handle any and all happy surprises that might pop up,” says Executive Director Susan Hodder. “We hope the community will turn out to support the brave souls sharing their talents for the entertainment of their friends and neighbors. This kind of programming is historic: a way for rural communities to gather and celebrate together. The last time The Waldo held a talent show was in 1981, but with this kind of talent on hand, you can be sure you won’t have to wait that long for the next one!”

Tickets are available online at thewaldotheatre.org. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is Free, but donations are welcome. Concessions will be available.