“Oscar for Oscar’s sake” World premiere with River Company.
River Company proudly presents “Oscar for Oscar’s sake” a new work in progress premiering off off off off Broadway at Skidompha Public Library's Porter Hall on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 23 at 2 p.m. The 90 minute piece stars Los Angeles actor and Lincoln Academy alumnus Michael Hovance (Aka- kid from home does good out west).
Back before the earth cooled, somewhere around 1988, Michael Hovance went to see a production of “Bye Bye Birdie” at Lincoln Academy’s Old Gym. The building that now houses Heartwood Regional Theater was then a combination gym and cafeteria by day and theater and concert hall by night.
“Bye Bye Birdie” featured Michael’s classmates and neighbors, including one nutty broad (me) who thew herself out with the trash by standing in a garbage can on the stage. Michael watched as classmates and community members performed under the Direction of Lincoln Academy English teacher Nick Azzaretti. As he watched he was bitten. “I want to do that,” he said to himself, and he did just that.
Michael Hovance went on to study theater and history at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, and spent his junior year at the British American Drama Academy in London. It was during this time studying in London that Hovance's love of Wilde’s plays emerged. More than once it was remarked that he bore a passing resemblance to Wilde.
His credentials are impressive but more impressive is his dedication to his craft and his enduring joy in bring Wilde to blazing life. Michael has starred in over 35 plays and musicals in New York and Los Angeles. His roles have included Hamlet, Sweeney Todd, Charles Condomine in “Blithe Spirit,” Lord Goring in “An Ideal Husband,” and Jack in Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” both onstage and online with River Company. Side note: when Michael auditioned for “An Ideal Husband,” the play’s producer told the director, “Oscar Wilde has just walked into the room.” Becoming Wilde's characters onstage has led Michael deep into the playwright's own story. In 1882, as Wilde lectured his way across the United States, to promote the "art for art's sake" movement, he fully manifested the indelible persona and unique comedic perspective that pervades his greatest works.
The production features Wilde’s words and the talents of this remarkable man, Michael Hovance, with guest spots by Kim Fletcher Smith and Nick Azzaretti as some of Wilde’s characters.
This delightful romp returns Michael to collaborate with his former teacher Nick Azzaretti, bringing the actor back full circle to share his talents with his hometown audience. Join your neighbors and friends to welcome Michael home and celebrate Oscar Wilde.
Michael Hovance explores “Oscar for Oscar's sake” at Skidompha Public Library's Porter Hall on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 23 at 2 p.m. All shows are “Pay What You Can” admission. Skidompha is at 184 Main St., Damariscotta.
For more information, call 207-449-2943.
To see Michael and his River Company cohorts in action, please enjoy: The Importance of Being Earnest-
During Covid, the company did many “zoom” productions, but Earnest brought a new level of production and included performers from across the country.
“Sweeny Todd “ starring Michael Hovance and Tracy Blackwell.
Hamlet
Nick Azzaretti and Michael Hovance planning wilde things.
About this blog:
What's the Buzz" covers what's happening, what might be happening, and what should be happening in the opinion of the author.
Eleanor Cade Busby is an unpublished award-winning writer, photographer and blogger & simply loves writing about herself in third person.She published this absolutely all true bio.
Busby grew up all over New England,a preacher's kid who set out to destroy every single stereotype about a "Minister's Daughter."
She attended Goddard College, The Rhode Island Conservatory of Music and The School of Life, majoring in everything she could stuff into her head. She once had her own office and a red stapler. Her employees learned quickly never to touch it.
Much of her very long life has been spent on or back-stage at theaters. She penned a couple of plays, directed many more and acted in scores of productions. She's done it all except hanging lighting. You can't make her climb a ladder.
She won awards locally & nationally for social services and customer care. Most recently she was awarded the PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award along with 3 million of her closest personal friends for "galvanizing a potent global movement to resist infringements on the rights and dignity of women and many other groups."
Busby has been a theater, art and dance reviewer and commentator for several publications, including CRACKED magazine.
Opinionated, obstinate, much-abused, and under-appreciated, she believes that if it isn't funny or relevant, it isn't worth it.
Eleanor Cade Busby lives in Midcoast Maine with two cats who like to stand on her head at 3 AM demanding a sacrifice, often her sanity.
Suggestions for topics and comments are always welcome at eleanorcadebusby@hotmail.com
