We can’t believe the Summer Season is almost over and it’s time to start thinking about the next big show. Preparations are already underway for TAM’s opening of the Gilbert & Sullivan-inspired musical Of Thee I Sing, Thursday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. Politicians, pundits, and public from both sides of the aisle can come together in this Broadway classic that will sweep away your election woes all the way to the election polls.

With no viable platform, presidential candidate John P. Wintergreen runs simply on a platform of “love.” His handlers, searching for a hook to snare voters, devise a Miss White House beauty pageant to find him a First Lady. Trouble begins when Wintergreen falls in love with his campaign secretary, Mary Turner, instead of pageant winner, Diana Deveraux. The spurned beauty queen of French descent seeks justice with help from her ancestral countrymen who try to turn the incident into an international scandal. But the power of love and corn muffins prevail, and the First Lady manages to save the day, and her husband from impeachment.

Known in New York for his work as a music director, vocal coach, and accompanist, Kevin Lawson returns to TAM for a second season as music director. Producing Artistic Director Dawn McAndrews, energized by the success of this summer’s Henry IV, Part 1, takes on directing Of Thee I Sing.

Of Thee I Sing showcases talents from community members throughout Maine and from afar, including Luke Bartholomew as Wintergreen, Frank Omar as vice presidential candidate Throttlebottom, Michelle Seipel as Mary Turner, and Jessica Swersey as Diana Devereaux. Also featured: Ardarius Blakely, Rebecca Caron, Ann-Marie Caron, Ned Donovan, Rick Dosedlo, Jeff Fairfield, Ray Fletcher, Carol Griffiths, David Handley, Jason Hersom, Karen Lipovsky, Dale McCormick, Cynthia McGuire, Lynette Miller, Kathleen Nation, Ellen O’Brien, Rick O’Brien, Peggy O’Kane, Addie Ortiz-Burnham, Alex Pagels, Amy Elizabeth Perkins, Kathryn Perry, Andy Tolman, Wendy Way, and Sabrina Yocono. Choreography by Adam Blais, set design by Dan Bilodeau, costumes by Heather Carey, and lights by Jim Alexander.

Of Thee I Sing was a smash hit running for 441 performances and winning the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1932. With George Gershwin’s swinging, jazzy score, lyrics by his brother Ira, and a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind (the team responsible for such Marx Brothers classics as A Night at the Opera, The Cocoanuts, and Animal Crackers), this political satire is sure to sweep away your election cycle blues.

Evening performances:
September 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, & 27 at 7:30 p.m.
September 23 at 7 p.m.

Matinee performances:
September 23, 29, & 30 at 1:00 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $10-$28. For calendar and reservations, please contact the TAM Box Office at 207.933.9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.