About

The musical takes place over the course of one night at the legendary Dave’s Sauna in South Paris, Maine, in early April of 1980. As we watch, the legendary/infamous Dave interacts with a cross section of guests, sharing his own philosophies on life, chatting up ladies, and taking care of “commerce”.

Come enjoy and remember one last moment of liberation before the reactive onslaught of the 1980's!

Writer, Director, and Producer - Jonathan Leavitt

This is an original production by writer/director Jonathan Leavitt. Previous work by him includes “Jesus Christ Terrorist” (a dramatic comedic spoof of the original Jesus Christ Superstar, set post 9-11), “Mother Culture” (based on the writing of Daniel Quinn), and “Somewhere, Maine: The Marijuana Musical” (about one year on a cannabis farm in the hills of western Maine).

He has also written or co-written 9 studio albums with his bands including: Growing Up the American Way, Resistance Is All We Got, Live from J. Edgar Hoover’s Closet, Politics for Pre-Schoolers, Live at the Finish Line, God, Guns, and Ganja, The Trial of Johnny Crashed, and Scenes from Somewhere Maine.

Choreographer - Nettie Gentempo

Nettie is the artistic director for the Nevaeh Dance Circus and Cold, Cold Night Burlesque. Her original choreography has been featured in the Poland Players productions of “Jesus Christ Super Star”, “Little Shop of Horrors” and Cow Pasture Production “Somewhere Maine, The Marijuana Musical”. Nettie has been studying dance her entire life and has been performing professionally as a hula hoop dancer for the past 5 years.

Musical Director - Dawson Hill

In the process of becoming a professional musician and getting his BFA in theater at Emerson college, Dawson Hill was, and has since been, involved in several shows. In the Oxford Hills community he played as “Frankie” in the very successful run of “Forever Plaid”, as well as other shows like “Tick, Tick, Boom!” and “Swing!” where he performed with Debbi Irons. He has also worked as the musical director in the O.M.P.A.A originals “Roles of a Lifetime “, “Cinderella”, and the musical “Aladdin”. During his time performing in Boston, he starred as “Max” in “Where the Wild Things Are” and “the Gift of the Magi”, and also created a score for an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. He continues to play piano and entertain in many projects around New England and is excited to be able to create original music and be a musical director for Jonathan Leavitt’s original musical” An Evening at Dave’s Sauna”.

Set Design - Jessica Cooper

Jessica was introduced to the world of music and theater at a young age. Throughout high school she performed in numerous musicals and plays such as “Into the Woods”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Wizard of Oz”, “West Side Story”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, and played characters in various cabaret dinner performances and through a passion for visual art, she was involved in the building of sets for most of the theater productions she performed in. As an adult Jessica continues her enthusiasm for making art through Creative Norway, as the administrator of House Lorax Art Collective, where she dances, plays music, teaches pop-up art classes, and organizes community art projects.

Sound and Lights - Ben Wells-Goodwin

Ben is the son of two pastors, Born in Newton Mass, Ben spent his younger years in the Bridgton area. He attended high school and found a deeper interest in theatre in Boothbay Harbor. He briefly attended Fullsail university in Winter Park FLA where he studied show production. Ben has a long off and on background in retail management with companies such as RadioShack and Spectrum cable. Ben currently is working as a carpenter doing historic barn restoration, as well as managing a local band, Clapping in Irons. In his free time he is also an avid photographer.