The latest production at The Actors Studio in Newburyport has been one year in the making — or 32 years, depending on how you look at it.
A group of eight local actresses will be staging a production of "Last Summer at Bluefish Cove," a play about a community of lesbians as they gather for their annual beach vacation.
When a straight woman on vacation encounters them, "her presence challenges the group on many levels. Issues of differences, trust and fears of being outed portray the reality for gay women in 1980," says co-producer Sherry Bonder.
The play is witty and funny, yet poignant, she said.
Written by the late Jane Chambers, the production explores relationships, love, commitment and personal fulfillment, Bonder added.
"The story itself is very, very universal," said Bonder, who is also acting in the production. "It has a lot to do with friendship, love and relationships, and how people face life's challenges."
This is the first time the play has been staged in Newburyport. Bonder said the group began working on plans to secure the copyrights and get permission to perform it last year. Rehearsals began last fall.
Bonder said a friend of hers saw "Last Summer at Bluefish Cove" in the 1980s. "It was sort of an underground thing," she said.
"This production is so different," she added. Actresses who are straight are taking part in the show, without fear of "how they may be perceived," she said. "It's a mainstream environment."
The nine performances begin tomorrow and run for three weekends. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. and the Sunday performances begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 for the general public and $15 for students and seniors.
The cast includes: Sherry Bonder, Kimberly Holliday, Pamela Battin-Sacks, Astrid Lorentzson, Julie McConchie, Maria "Sammy" Boyd, Ashley Risteen and Kathy Weinstock. Marc Clopton is directing the play.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.newburyportacting.org or the "Bluefish Cove Play in Newburyport" Facebook page, or call The Actors Studio at 978-465-1229.
Page School principal publishes book
Jack O'Mara, the principal of the Dr. John C. Page Elementary School in West Newbury, can add another title to his resume: published author.
O'Mara, an Ipswich resident, recently completed his first novel, "Whitewater Opera: Death Comes to the Allagash."
West Newbury families and others can hear O'Mara read from his book tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Jabberwocky Bookshop at the Tannery in Newburyport. The book tells the tale of seven friends and colleagues who head to Allagash River for a fun camping adventure, but it soon turns deadly. The self-described "tribe" canoe and kayak, hike and camp, while sharing fireside conversations and camaraderie.
"When the careless actions of one man place the tribe in peril, they learn how dangerous Maine's mighty river can be," notes the book's description.
Satisfy your sweet tooth
Have you been looking for some Girl Scout cookies?
Head to State Street in Newburyport on Saturday. The first-grade Daisy Troop 75336 will be selling Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel deLites and more outside Lively Kids from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each box costs $4.
The troop is collecting cookies to donate to the food pantry at the Salvation Army. Customers who don't want to indulge their sweet tooth can buy a box for the pantry and the troop will deliver it.
Port couple performs in 'Love Letters'
Newburyport's John and Deirdre Budzyna will act in the Northern Essex Community College performance of "Love Letters" this weekend.
The couple will take the stage tomorrow night at 7:30 in the Chester W. Hawrylciw Theater on the third floor of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill campus.
Written in 1989, "Love Letters" recounts a couple's love story through the simple sharing of their correspondences from childhood to middle age. The Budzynas will present the fictional letters during the staged reading.
Tickets to the performance are $20 and available at the door. All proceeds support the Top Notch Players' trip to the Edinburgh Arts Festival in August.
Valentine's gifts workshop in Amesbury
The Riverwalk Bead Shop and Gallery is celebrating their sixth anniversary in Amesbury this Saturday.
The shop will offer two sessions of a workshop where guests can create their own copper heart-shaped earrings for Valentine's Day. A morning session will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the afternoon workshop is set for 1 p.m. There is a $10 materials fee.
On Sunday, shoppers can also make their own Valentine's card, using electrical tape and card stock from 1 to 4 p.m. There is a $5 materials fee.
The two programs are for adults only. For more information, visit www.riverwalkbeads.com or call 978-388-3499.
Trunk show at Sisters We Three
Artist Susanne Gleason will be at the Newburyport artisan shop Sisters We Three on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
Gleason creates colorful 2-D greeting cards and she will demonstrate quilling, or paper filigree. Sisters We Three is located at 57 Pleasant St. in Newburyport.
'Back to the Bean' ham supper Saturday
The Bethany Lodge will host a ham and bean supper on Saturday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Masonic building, 31 Green St., Newburyport.
Admission is $8.
Qwill playing in Newburyport
Newburyport's Zach Field Drum Studios will continue their concert series on Saturday afternoon as they host Qwill.
The show begins at 3 p.m. at The Dance Place in the The Tannery Marketplace.
Qwill consists of singer/songwriter and producer Jesse Ciarmataro, whose sound includes indie, soul and electronic music. He will be joined by Cilla Bonnie on bass, Todd Russell on guitar, Jeremy Dalnes on cello and Dennis Monagle and Zach Field on drums.
Tickets are $15. For more information on the concert and tickets, visit www.zachfielddrumstudios.com or call 978-462-1100.
A sweet Valentine's celebration
MPG Home Designs will host a Valentine's Day event on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring the works of local artists.
The special holiday showcase will feature paintings and drawings by Alan Bull, jewelry by Nicole Koenigs, Moody Beauty body oils by Amy Fleischer and boudoir photography sessions.
The free celebration runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and includes champagne, chocolates and cupcakes.
RSVP to Mindi@mpghomedesign.com or call 978-462-7500. MPG Home Design is located at 5 Traffic Circle on Route 1 in Newburyport (next to the train station).
Breakfast buffet at Moose Lodge
The Women of the Moose, Chapter 307, will host a breakfast buffet Sunday at the Moose Lodge, 34 Broad St., Merrimac.
The breakfast will run from 8 to 11 a.m. The menu includes: scrambled, fried or omelet eggs, pancakes, French toast, home fries, toast, English muffins, bacon, sausage, coffee, tea and juice.
Another buffet is scheduled for Feb. 26.
Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 12 and under.
Film screening on Sunday
New Eden Collaborative of First Parish Church of Newbury will host a film screening on Sunday in conjunction with New Harmony Farm Community Supported Agriculture and Transition Newburyport.
The groups will show "Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Trying to Tell Us?" beginning at 4:30 p.m. Following the film, there will be a question and answer period, hosted by bio-dynamic beekeeper Amy Robinson, on organic and bio-dynamic beekeeping. The documentary by director Taggart Siegel explores the global bee crisis and the beehive.
Robinson, of Brentwood, N.H., has been keeping bees for 11 years and studied with Gunther Hauk at the Pfeiffer Center in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y., to learn bio-dynamic beekeeping. She is a former president of the Seacoast Beekeepers Association.
Following the screening, the audience is invited to attend the Local Flavor Potluck Supper at First Parish Church of Newbury's Holton Hall.
For more information about the screening, visit First Parish Church of Newbury's website at www.firstparishofnewbury.org. This is a fundraiser to support New Eden Collaborative of First Parish Church of Newbury's Organic Bee Program.
Jazz singer plays at David's Tavern
Jazz vocalist Judith Murray will play at David's Tavern in Newburyport on Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. She will be joined by pianist Bill Duffy.
David's Tavern is located in the Garrison Inn on Brown Square.
Blues party marks Black History Month
The Parker Wheeler Blues Party will kick off their Black History Month celebration on Sunday with vocalist Sharon "Sugar" Jones.
Jones will be joined by guitarist Chris "Stovall" Brown and an ensemble.
The Blues Party begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $5. The Grog is located at 13 Middle Street, Newburyport.
Estey holds 'Love Offering Sale' Tuesday
Newburyport artist Paula Estey is showing the love on Valentine's Day with her 10th annual sale.
Each year, Estey holds a "Love Offering Sale" on selected artwork, where shoppers select a painting they love and pay what they choose.
"I have been doing Love Offering Sales for 10 years because it is my way of giving back, being in the flow of prosperity, getting your feedback about my work and, most importantly, spreading the love vibration of art into and through my community," Estey wrote in an email.
The show runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at her studio at 3 Harris St., Newburyport.
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To submit a Lookout item, email it to klovett@newburyportnews.com, fax it to 978-465-8505 or mail it to The Daily News, 23 Liberty St., Newburyport, MA 01950.
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