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CHARLES HENRY’S FINAL CURTAIN MUSICAL PREMIERES AT MAIN STREET ARTS

SAXTONS RIVER, Vt. – Ron Bos-Lun of Westminster has taken to the stage again at Main Street Arts, this time as an itinerant vaudeville performer and theater curtain painter in Charles Henry’s Final Curtain, opening. Friday, Nov. 9 for a two-weekend run
This world premiere of an old-fashioned musical is a celebration of the creative spirit of a Vermont native whose own creativity took him all over the state with his performing family, leaving a legacy of entertainment and painted theater curtains in at least 16 towns.
It is fitting that Henry’s final performance is taking place at MSA, both because it is the home of the largest collection of Henry curtains in the state, but also because the building was (and is) an Odd Fellows hall, just the sort of place where The Henry Family Traveling Theatrical Company performed during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A number of the MSA’s collection will be used as backdrops in the show.
No amateur production, Final Curtain is the brainchild of actor/writer/Broadway performer/three-time-Tony-nominated Cass Morgan, one of the creators of the Tony-nominated Pump Boys and Dinettes, and who happens to live a mile from Main Street Arts.
She and Broadway colleague Sarah Knapp wrote the lyrics for the show, while another colleague, Steve Alper, wrote the music.
Morgan is collaborating with MSA artistic director and Westminsterite David Stern as director of the production, with musical directors Ken Olsson and Amy Cann and production assistant and choreographer Annesa Hartman.
Cast members include Libby McCawley of Putney as Henry’s wife Mattie, and Gavy Kessler, Andrew Flaherty, Connie Bryan, Heather Martell and Sally Regentine as his children. Also, a chicken and a goat.
As stage manager Woodrow Woodknot, Falko Schilling of Saxtons River, familiar from the Saxtons River Playhouse and the Weston stage, offers a musical tribute to the Odd Fellows. His daughter Willa is played by Heidi Lauricella, who also doubles as stage manager. Masaki Schuette is costumer.
Additional performances are Saturdays, Nov. 10 and Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 11 and 18.
Tickets are $17 in advance, $10 for children (15 and under) or $20 and $13 at the door and can be purchased at www.MainStreetArts.org or by calling (802) 869-2960.
Further information is available on the website.
Photo: Charles Henry’s wife (Libby McCawley) tries to convince him (Ron Bos-Lun) to retire and move to Vergennes as daughter Grace (Sally Regentine) looks on.