Musical weekend
The Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth, N.H., kicks off its 34th musical season this weekend with "Beauty and the Beast."
The Main Stage outdoor production runs through Aug. 24. The festival also presents music and dance performances, as well as fine art throughout the summer.
Based on Disney's animated movie, the stage version of "Beauty and the Beast" ran from 1994 to 2007, making it the sixth-longest running show on Broadway.
"This is a great choice for the park," said Ben Anderson, executive director of the festival. "It's perfect for families, those who are young and old, and has wonderful music with a great story and message."
The show features a cast of 25. It is directed by David Kaye, head of acting and directing for the University of New Hampshire's department of theater and dance. Kaye also directed last season's musical production.
"It was a joy to direct 'The Sound of Music' for Prescott Park last summer," said Kaye. "Last year's cast was thrilled to perform for those huge crowds. I am quite sure this summer will be just as amazing."
Founded in 1974, the festival takes place in the 3.2-acre historic Prescott Park on the banks of the Piscataqua River in downtown Portsmouth.
Performances are Thursdays and Sundays, 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. There is no fixed admission, but donations are accepted. Call 603-436-2848 or visit prescottpark.org.
LET IT BE FUN: The 2008
The evening presents live music and vocals by the group Rain, as well as multimedia presentations to recreate the experience of Beatlemania, from the early days through the 1960, and beyond. There's old video footage and audience members are invited to sing along to songs like "Let It Be" and "Hey, Jude." Tickets are $42 and $50. Visit rainthebeatlesexperience.com.
The series continues on Wednesday at 6 p.m., with "Kidz Bop Live," with songs performed by a band, singers, dancers, and kids. Tickets are $25 and $30.
And on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., trumpeter Chris Botti performs his signature blend of smooth and soulful pop and jazz. Tickets are $42 and $50.
Call 978-232-7200 or visit nsmt.org.
AUTHOR'S CORNER: William N. Rappa Jr., discusses his book "Doing It Wrong?" at the Nahant Public Library today at 3 p.m. Rappa, of Lynn, was a public school teacher for 36 years before retiring in 2005. The novel is about idealism and disillusionment in teaching.
IN LOCAL GALLERIES: Paintings by Ann Jones of Groveland are on exhibit at the Topsfield Town Library through July. The watercolors are primarily landscapes of local scenes and places Jones has traveled. . . . Paintings by Oliver Balf of Rockport are exhibited at the Cape Ann Museum through Sept. 15. The works represent his 60 years of painting on Cape Ann. Balf is a founding faculty member of Montserrat College of Art in Beverly. In the 1950s, he worked as an artist at The Boston Globe, was a consulting designer for Parker Brothers, and was a designer and illustrator in the book publishing industry. A talk and reception with Balf is July 19, 3 p.m., at the museum. . . . Whimsical, yet practical, birdhouses hand-painted and decorated by artists are on display at the Marblehead Arts Association through Friday. The birdhouses are part of a silent auction at the Artisan Marketplace at Abbot Hall in Marblehead Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to benefit the art association's education scholarship and the 2008-2009 lecture series. . . . Members of the Greater Lynn Photographic Association present their work in the fifth annual member show at LynnArts in Central Square, Lynn, through July 18. The show includes a variety of black-and-white and color images snapped by 20 photographers.
Items can be sent to wdkilleen@gmail.com. Photos can be sent, as jpeg attachments, to globenorth@globe.com. 