“Gawler Family Performance,” Union Hall, Vienna

Sept. 12-15, Thursday-Sunday, 7:30pm/Thurs, Fri. and Sat, 1pm/Sat. and Sun, “Sense and Sensibility,” by Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility tells the story of the impoverished Dashwood family, focusing on the sisters Elinor and Marianne, personifications of good sense (common sense) and sensibility (emotionality), respectively. They become destitute upon the death of their father, who leaves his home, Norland Park, to their half-brother, John. Although instructed to take care of his sisters, John is dissuaded of his duty by his greedy wife, Fanny. The family—which, in addition to Elinor and Marianne, includes their mother and a younger sister—moves to Barton Cottage in Devonshire. There the open and enthusiastic Marianne meets Colonel Brandon, a staid and settled bachelor 20 years her senior. Although he expresses an interest in Marianne, she discourages his attention and instead becomes infatuated with the attractive John Willoughby, who seems to be a romantic lover but is in reality an unscrupulous fortune hunter. He deserts Marianne for an heiress, and she eventually makes a sensible marriage with Colonel Brandon. Adapted and directed by Dawn McAndrews, $10-$34, Theater at Monmouth, 796 Main Street, Monmouth. FMI: 207-933-9999, theateratmonmouth.org.
Sept. 12-15 and 18, Thursday-Sunday and Wednesday, 8pm/Thurs.-Sat, 4pm/Sun, 2pm/Wed, “Touch and Go,” when Brian takes up jogging, his wife Hilary is not surprised. She has often told him he should exercise more after all the business lunches he consumes. But when Brian is ostensibly running around the park, he is, in fact, spending a couple of hours with his girlfriend, Wendy, in his good friend George’s home. The arrangement works well for some time, for while Brian is visiting Wendy, helpful George knows that there is no danger of his own dalliance being discovered; for the object of his affection is Brian’s wife, Hilary! It is all plain sailing until George’s wife Jessica returns too soon from a business trip to America and puts the cat among the pigeons, $22-$24, Lakewood Theater, 76 Theater Road, Madison. FMI: 207-474-7176, www.lakewoodtheater.org.
Sept. 13, Friday, 7pm, “Gawler Family Performance,” Gawler Family members return to the Vienna Hall; featuring Ellen, John, and Molly. Whether they are crooning a poignant ballad or delivering a rollicking fiddle tune, their unique arrangements are especially engaging and often go along with anecdotes of historical or humorous content. Although the Gawlers may be best known for their extensive collection of dance tunes in the Scots-Irish and French Canadian traditions, their repertoire may include a gutsy ‘Sweet Honey in the Rock’ a capella worksong or an amusing ode to everyday life, $13, Vienna Union Hall, 5 Vienna Mountain Road, Vienna. FMI: 207-293-2674, sites.google.com/site/viennaunionhall2012/arts-and-events.
Sept. 13, Friday, 8pm, “Jonny Lang in Concert,” it is hard to believe that at 36 years old Jonny Lang has already had a successful career for two decades! Since the release of his debut album, Grammy Award winning Jonny Lang has built a reputation as one of the best live performers and guitarists of his generation. The path Lang has been on has brought him the opportunity to support or perform with some of the most respected legends in music. He has shared the stage with everyone from The Rolling Stones, B.B. King, Aerosmith and Buddy Guy, who has continued to tour with today, $47-$58, VIP Meet & Greet Tickets-$189, Waterville Opera House, 1 Common Street, Waterville. FMI: 207-873-7000, www.operahouse.org.
Sept. 13, Friday, 8-9:30pm, “Maine Event Comedy,” presenting 20-year comedy veteran Ryan Gartley. Also featuring Al Ghanekar, Leonard Kimble and Paul Cyphers, show is for ages 21 and older, pay-what-you-can, Craft Brew Underground, 34 Court Street, Auburn. FMI: 207-513-0742, maineeventcomedy.com.
Sept. 16, Monday, 6:30pm, “Hermit: The Mysterious Life of Jim Whyte, with Jeffrey Ryan,” when Jim Whyte settled outside the Slate mining town of Monson, Maine in 1895, people hardly knew what to make of him. And almost 130 years later, we still don’t. A world traveler that spoke six languages fluently, Whyte came to Monson with sacks full of money and a fierce desire to keep to himself. It was clear that Whyte was hiding from something – enough to make the FBI eventually come looking. Even the Feds couldn’t imagine how Whyte, who lost every penny he had when WWI broke out, amassed another fortune before he died. Based on the true story, Hermit follows one man’s quest to discover all he can about Whyte’s secret life before it’s too late. Join Maine author Jeffery Ryan as he discusses his latest book, Hermit: The Mysterious Life of Jim Whyte. Books will be available for sale and signing at the event, free, Lithgow Public Library, 45 Winthrop Street, Augusta. FMI: 207-626-2415, lithgow.lib.me.us.
Sept. 18, Wednesday, 1-2:30pm, “’Useful Citizens’: Walking Tour of Skowhegan’s North Cemetery,” this historic walking/guided tour explores the lives of some “Useful Citizens” who are buried at the North Cemetery and how those lives helped shape our community. Discussions will also focus on the veterans and their experiences in our history, gravestone and monument construction, and the various symbols used on the stones, as well as the history of this 1820’s cemetery. The walking tour will begins and ends at the North Cemetery gate on Walton Court, which is behind the Madison Avenue Walton Apartments and the Towne Motel. It will take approximately 90 minutes. Please bring a hat (not much shade here), walking shoes, water and perhaps, a lightweight folding chair, $5, North Cemetery, 12 Walton Ct, Skowhegan. FMI: 207-474-6632, www.skowheganhistoryhouse.org.