“Piano Men – The Music of Elton and Billy,” Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, Arundel

Aug. 23, Thursday, 5:30pm, “The Pine Tree State in France: Maine’s 103rd Infantry Regiment in the Great War,” join Captain Jonathan Bratten, command historian for the Maine National Guard, as he shares stories of the 103rd Infantry and discusses how the actions of its soldiers changed the course of World War 1. In 1917, 2,002 Mainers left their homes and families to ‘make the world safe for democracy.’ Their travels took them directly into the heart of the Great War, where they proved that the best of the German Army were no match for the boys from Maine. During his talk, Captain Jonathan Bratten will share the stories of the 103rd Infantry and discuss how the actions of its soldiers changed the course of World War 1, $5, Brick Store Museum, 117 Main Street, Kennebunk. FMI: 207-985-4802, www.brickstoremuseum.org.
Aug. 23-26 and 28-29, Thursday-Sunday and Tuesday-Wednesday, 2:30pm/Thurs, Sun. and Tues, 8pm/Thurs-Sat. and Tues.-Wed, “Grumpy Old Men, the Musical,” fasten your seat belt, it’s going to be a grumpy ride! The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to produce the U.S. premiere of the new musical-comedy, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical — just in time to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the classic 1993 Warner Brothers film starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret. This hilarious new show was penned by Dan Remmes, with music by Neil Berg and lyrics by Nick Meglin. Two aging neighbors, Max and John, have been feuding for more than fifty years until the beautiful and charming Ariel moves in across the street —raising the rivalry to new heights! Don’t miss this laugh-out-loud story of family, friendship, love and romance in a fresh new musical that’s guaranteed to delight, $52-$103, Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main Street, Ogunquit. FMI: 207-646-5511, ogunquitplayhouse.org.
Aug. 24, Friday, 7:30pm, “Don Roy Trio,” favorites on the SRT stage for many years, Maine champion fiddler Don Roy, with Cindy Roy (piano and step dancing) and Jay Young (bass) specialize in traditional roots music from the Maritimes and Quebec, and Celtic Music. The Don Roy Ensemble has played at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, appeared with Garrison Keillor, and performed on two occasions at the Kennedy Center. Don’t miss this lively evening of great traditional music! Reservations suggested, $18-$20, Saco River Theatre, 28 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills. FMI: 207-929-6472, www.sacorivertheatre.org.
Aug. 24, Friday, 8pm, “Piano Men – The Music of Elton and Billy,” a tribute to the amazing songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. This concert combines a four-piece pop group featuring Joe Boucher on piano and vocals playing with a full symphony orchestra with arrangements by Christopher Eastburn. Rarely have these songs ever been heard performed live in this way as Elton and Billy themselves have only on a few occasions performed with orchestras. The music of “Piano Men” concentrates heavily on the recordings by Elton and Billy during their 70’s heyday when their many hit albums featured lush orchestrations. The concert opens with Billy Joel’s thrilling “Prelude / Angry Young Man” and works its way through a veritable hit parade, alternating songs between the two composers, $40-$45, Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, 53 Old Post Rd, Arundel. FMI: 207-985-5552, vinegarhillmusictheatre.com.
Aug. 25, Saturday, 1-6pm, “5th Annual Blues Festival,” There will be awesome food venders as well as your favorite beer and wine. This is a Family friendly event, Kids under 12 get in free. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and get up close or relax in the Stadium seating. This year’s event will feature the Famous Roomful of Blues as well as The Great Blues Prophets, Continental Shakedown and Beyond Reason. Parking is Free! Tickets are now on sale for $20 at Brownpapertickets.com/event/3445874 at the Ballpark, OOB Town Hall, Jimmy the Greeks restaurant and at the Cowbell Restaurant in Biddeford, The Ballpark, 7 Ballpark Way, Old Orchard Beach. FMI: 207-205-6160, oobballpark.com.
Aug. 25, Saturday, 6:30pm, “The Reminisants,” a very popular 6-member band that has not only been entertaining New England audiences since 1973, but also performed on Bermuda cruises for many years with Norwegian Lines and have shared the stage with many, many well-known Rock ‘n Roll legends. The band specializes in presenting music of the 1950’s thru the 1990’s from a vast collection of great tunes for all kinds of musical tastes and generations. The group includes: Dom Viscione-leader, vocals, rhythm guitar; Mike Joyal-lead singer; Pete Veneto-vocals, drums; Mark Poulin- vocals, lead guitar; Joe “JD” Foster-vocals, bass; Jack Colombo or Doug Tybor-vocals, keyboards. This group of VERY talented musicians will delight you with a wonderful evening of relaxed, familiar, fun musical entertainment guaranteed to go by all too quickly, free, Hope Hobbs Gazebo, Wells Harbor Park, Harbor Road, Wells. FMI: www.reminisants.com.
Aug. 25, Saturday, 8pm, “A Night of Improv,” one of the Seacoast Region’s foremost improv troupes, Stranger Than Fiction! Come laugh and enjoy an evening of comedy skits created on the spot with audience suggestions. The results are unexpected and almost always hilarious. Actions, characters, relationships, and storylines are shaped and defined by the offers they receive. It is a truly interactive theatrical experience. At any moment an audience member may be asked to join the action onstage, or to offer up a new idea, changing the trajectory of a scene instantaneously, $12, Nasson Community Center and Little Theatre, 456 Main Street, Springvale. FMI: 207-324-5657, www.nassonevents.com.