The Portland Players playhouse has been in this neighborhood for decades and consistently showcases some well-respected shows. Unfortunately, the location has no parking, and being in a residential neighboorhood leaves you parking far away to get to the show, and hope for good weather. Also, the interior of the theatre smells very strongly of the mold hidden underneath the peeling ceiling tiles.

This community theater has been operating for a very long time, currently in its 86th season. How is it that they've never received a review here? It escapes me. Allow me to be the first. Portland Players is the oldest community theater in Maine, and the second oldest in New England. Odd that you have to find that information doing an independent online search: it is not on their website. In fact, their website is devoid of any mention of the history of the theater whatsoever. Strange. One would think they might enjoy some bragging rights. I have been going to see their shows before I even moved here, some 25 years ago, and have seen some great (and not-so-great) ones over that time: mainly musicals, but also comedies, and drama. With a rotating cast and crew, directors, producers, costumers, pit musicians, music directors, technicians, choreographers, designers/builders/stage managers, artists and Board..... they typically pull together a decent, if not sometimes excellent show of old favorites and familiar productions, or emerging newer ones. On this night two friends and I spontaneously decided to attend the recent show Bonnie & Clyde, the Musical at Players. I read a good article about it in the local paper. And frankly, I have a crush on lead actor Joel Crowley, and it also seemed that his counterpart, Joanna Clarke, might be his equal match. It turns out, not exactly, but close. A mixed-strength supporting cast added to the enjoyment and quirkiness of this production of the not-so-well-known musical, but infamous true story and scandal of American depression-era fame and lore. Lyrics are written by Don Black and Music by Frank Wildhorn, and in this version directed locally by Michael Donovan (who did not cast the show, but stepped-in after the original director stepped-off) with Musical Direction by Evan Cuddy. Bonnie & Clyde debuted on Broadway in 2011, and despite enthusiastic audiences' responses, critics panned it. The show closed abruptly after only 4 weeks. Frankly, its a shame. Since finding audio of this musical on YouTube, I can't stop listening to it. I hear the score in my head all day and all night. Sure, at first the tunes don't seem to capture you. That comes later with repeat listening, which lends itself to repeat appreciation. You realize how gorgeous, soaring and even haunting the music is; how intricate; how clever and catchy. I have really come to appreciate the score, and feel like this is a musical which did not get its chance to shine, though it would have been well-deserved. This production was very good. The ensemble varied in ability to deliver, though overall they were solid. Noteworthy among them were Antoinette Hinitt as young Bonnie, Adam Normand as Preacher and Lisa Hughes as Bonnie's mother. Leads Clarke, and Ryan Walker/Kelly Mosher as Buck and Blanche Barrow, were all strong, especially Mosher. Joel Crowley gives a masterful and powerful performance, if not occasionally overstraining his vocals. His charismatic, almost uber-masculine characterization of Clyde Barrow was thoroughly enjoyable to witness. You really need and want a super strong Clyde in this show, and Crowley delivers. A beautiful score, backed by a pit orchestra which actually sat behind a shear curtain on rear stage right, plus a mostly-effective, simple and occasionally cheesy set: imperfect lighting, miking, but fairly tight scene changes.... and this was overall a good show. For a now $22.00 online ticket price (included $2.00 processing fee).... this had better have been a good show. The theater itself is comfortable and large, seating somewhere around 300 patrons, and it is air-conditioned now in the summer. They also finally rebuilt the restrooms, adding a divider between the mens' urinals, and more porcelains, too. I have both performed in, and attended shows here at Portland Players. It is a respectable local theater which strives to do quality shows, and I have probably attended 50 of them. May they enjoy another 86 years of good theater ! I will go back. So would my friends attending with me, one for his first time. The other has starred in, and directed several shows with Portland Players. He enjoyed Bonnie & Clyde an awful lot, too.