Snowlion Repertory Company drew an enthusiastic, sizable audience July 11 for “The Christmas Bride,” a two-hour concert version of a classical musical romance based on the Charles Dickens short story, “The Battle of Life.” The cast of 13 portrayed 18 characters, in costumes straight out of Victorian England.

During Snowlion co-founder Margit Ahlin’s welcome, she spoke about the company’s plans to find a permanent home for the Company in the Boothbay region. That announcement drew loud applause and shouts of approval from the audience – a demonstration of how much the community misses having a live theater venue since the closure of Boothbay Playhouse in 2014. Ahlin and partner/co-founder/director Al D’Andrea have been looking for a location in the area for two years and they have not given up hope.

“We’re getting to know the community and they are getting to know us,” Ahlin said, adding she and D’Andrea recently joined the local Rotary Club. “We have checked out many places in the area. But, we know the right place is out there … somewhere!”

Most of the actors in this final performance of three shows, also in Portland and Freeport, said they hope Snowlion finds a venue. Kelly Caufield (Clemency Newcome) appeared in Snowlion’s production of “Mesmerized” (circa 2018- 2019) in Portland. “We had such a good time. It’s such a ride working with Margit and Al. I really hope everything they are working toward comes to fruition.”

This production was lead actress Emily Bartley’s (Marion Jeddler) second show with Snowlion. Bartley was one of the Snowlion newbies of the show. “I was approached to audition and casting was in March,” she said post production. “The best thing about (the experience) was performing with these actors. Margit and Al are so unbelievably kind … I hope they find what they’re looking for.”

David Arthur Bacharach (Jonathan Snitchey) has been working with Snowlion since 1988 and the first rendition of “The Christmas Bride,” as one of the romantic leads, then a full on production entitled, “Candle in the Window.” He performed in this show again in 2011. “I’ve been in six or so productions, including Margit’s rendition of Checkhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’ called ‘A Cherry Orchard in Maine.’ Margit did a wonderful job with it.”

Some of the actors talked about their characters in the concert post show. Aaron Engebreth (Michael Warden) was sent the script and music. Straight away, its being a period piece with music he liked “quite a lot” made the project very appealing. And, because he had a small window of opportunity the fact that there would be far fewer rehearsals made the project quite doable. His character Michael – a gambler, drinker, lover of life and ladies – spoke to him. The character is thrown from a horse at Marion’s feet!

“He doesn’t lie to himself,” Engebreth said. “And yet, he finds a way to love someone in spite of some of his worst instincts … But he doesn’t necessarily change – he just falls in love. It’s not a fake story like now that he’s with Marion he’ll be going to go off and feed the hungry. He’s still going to gamble, still be himself, he’ll just be in love while he does it.”

Mary Johnson Letellier – (Grace Jeddler, the older sister) – worked with Snowlion in 2011’s “Mesmerized” and “The Secret Princess” in 2022. “I liked the idea of a caring older sister, and Emily was also my sister in ‘Secret Princess.’ My character Grace is really selfless. She was thrust into a mother role at a young age. She really doesn’t understand she loved Alfred (Emily’s betrothed). She found out it’s OK to be a bit selfish and claim love for yourself!”

Joel Crowley (Alfred Heathfield) was invited to audition for this, his first role with Snowlion. “It’s tough to tell the whole story this way (in concert), but with the right cast … it’s been great.”

Ahlin said the concert featured some of the best voices in Maine and, judging by the audience’s strong applause and vocal notes of appreciation, she was right. “We’ve never really done anything like this before, but doing a musical as a concert appealed to us. We thought, ‘Let’s do a Christmas in July thing.’”

The three-piece band consisted of Betty McIntyre on keyboards, Michael Albert on woodwind instruments and cellist Robin Jellis.

Snowlion Repertory Company successfully changed a musical into a concert that did not make you feel like you were missing something because it was not the full musical production. Each actor’s enthusiasm and commitment were evident in each note they sang, in every movement and facial expression.

Ahlin and D’Andrea had bulletin boards in the back of the main stage area of the House with images of the cast. An information table shared the Company’s goal of finding a permanent home for Snowlion’s project, the new Boothbay Summer Theater. The company will raise the funds, find the talent and oversee the design and construction of the new theater. The plan is to produce several shows each summer. For more information, call 207-315-6612 or email info@boothbaysummertheater.com

In the theater company’s December 2022 newsletter, “The Lion’s Roar,” Ahlin and D’Andrea announced the start of a three-year plan to bring a professional summer theater to the Boothbay Region. To that end, Davis Family Foundation has pledged a sizable grant, but only if Snowlion can raise substantial funds towards its Year 1 goal.

Anyone who would like help secure that grant to bring summer theater back to the Boothbay region may mail donations of any amount to Snowlion Repertory Company, P.O. Box 727, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

In Victorian England, “some pumpkins” was slang for something really impressive. Snowlion is some pumpkins.