There was a full house at Damariscotta's Lincoln Theater April 29 for the premiere of “I Love Maine, the Musical” and it was an entertaining, rousing success!

The cast of 50 kids equally representing the Boothbay Region YMCA and the CLC YMCA dazzled and delighted an audience of family, friends, neighbors and supporters of both Y's and the theater, of course!

Composer, lyricist and author Joel Biron was one of the audience members (he actually attended all three shows). Biron said, “I’m excited to see the show because “I’ve never seen it!”

Post performance, amidst audience comments such as “What a great job,” ”awesome show,” and ”loved it,” Biron was smiling broadly when he said, ”I am so pleased with the show ... I’m coming to every performance!”

The premise of the musical is a student (Anna Lupien) assigned to do a report on Maine. She is taken on a tour of the state to understand its history, ecology, lighthouses, lobster, vacationland, Joshua Chamberlain, forests, critters … you get the idea. She is taken on a tour by a guide (Emerson Harris).

One of the songs that stuck with me was the “The Lobster” song with the phrase “Do the lobstah” in the chorus. Four lobsters playfully portrayed by Helen Hamblett, Lilley Harris, Lincoln Hamblett and Jackie McLoon, came out on stage and showed everyone how to do the lobstah. In fact, the entire cast was wiggling and gyrating about — it was a hoot. Do the lobstah! Next time you see one of the “lobsters” round town (say in a parking lot), or any of the cast members, call out “Do the lobstah!”

And while the subject is lobster, Chef Sarah (Harris) was an absolute, adorable delight. “Did someone say lobster?” A natural performer, this youngster is destined to remain in the footlights.

“The Lighthouse Keeper” was beautifully sung by Sophia Scott on a darkened stage in a spotlight. This young lady is a familiar face among the Y-Arts youth group with a sweet, almost angelic voice. Scott was accompanied by four ballerinas dressed in white. Their choreography was developed by dancer Della Hahn. Near the end of the song the dancers disappeared from the stage only to return holding spherical lights that eventually came to rest around vocalist Sophia. A beautiful and memorable piece in the show.

Now, when it comes to memorable, we've got the lobsters, the lighthouse song scene, and the Joshua Chamberlain number featuring mustachioed singers — and each mustache was different! Why the mustache bit? Mr. Chamberlain was known for his healthy 'stache.’ It was the first thing people probably noticed about him.

The history included a song (“A Great Compromise”) about the Missouri Compromise, Chamberlain's role during the Civil War as a brigadier and major general in the Union army, and as governor of the state of Maine (“Joshua Chamberlain”), and foresters sang “See the Woods.”

A few weeks before the big night, Biron said he’d tried to write humorous, catchy songs. Well, as everyone knows who attended one (or more) of the four shows last weekend, he did just that.

Cast members portrayed bears, potatoes (Della Hahn’s potato being of the British variety!), birds, and moose. The entire ensemble danced beautifully — and in front of a huge audience on a real stage — each in step with the other performing choreography (with the exception of the lighthouse number) by director Emily Mirabile.

Bravo Emma Abbott, Braden Bessey, Emma Crooker, Olivia Crooker, Alicia Flis, Gaby Griffin, London Hunter, Juniper Jacobs, Gabriela Janik, Mariana Janik, Mya Krawic, Sophia Lichti, Taj Lichti, Anna Lupien, Matilda Marks, Tallulah Marks, Quinn Prentice, Katelyn Prior, Sarah Prior, Jackson Ross, Josephine Shea, Amelia Starbird, Maggie Thompson, Azalea Bennett, Journey Bennett, Kari Blake, Jordan Chamness, Grace Campbell, Charlee Fuchswanz, Della Hahn, Emerson Harris, Sarah Harris, Amber Hyson, Cassidy Leeman, Ben Perry, Josiah Perry, Spencer Pottle, Aelia Russell, Sawyer Russell, Sophia Scott, Meg Sledge, Madelyn Teele, Trey Tibbetts, Lincoln Hamblett, Helen Hamblett, Lilley Harris and Jackie McLoon! Bravo!

There were two minor roles for adults — that of the teacher and the principal. Opening night Biron was the teacher and Boothbay’s Andrew Luke the principal. Other adult actors performing in these roles were Peter Panagore, Don Carrigan, and Meagan and Andy Hamblett as the teachers; and Pete Ripley, Tom Dewey and Michael Maxim as the principals.

“There’s a lot to appreciate in this state,”  Brion said opening night. “The musical is called ‘I Love Maine!’ ... because I  do.”

And we, love Maine and “I Love Maine” too.

Now ... DO THE LOBSTAH ... It’s a hot, new crustacean dance just dripping with personality!