When people hear the name of the play “Urinetown”, the first thing that comes to their mind probably isn’t a Broadway musical worthy of winning four Tony awards. But for the University of Maine School of Performing Arts (SPA), “Urinetown” is one of the only things on the minds of those looking forward to auditions for the upcoming show that will take the stage in February 2016.

“Urinetown” is a story about a revolution and a town with a large water shortage. Because of the water shortage, private bathrooms were not allowed, so everyone had to use public bathrooms in town. These bathrooms were owned and run by a company called Urine Good Company. To use these amenities, the townies have to pay. One of the main characters, Bobby Strong, rebels against the company and rules after his dad is arrested and put in “Urinetown” for urinating on bushes in public. Bobby, after starting the rebellion, goes on a quest along with a few other friends, to find out what exactly “Urinetown” is.

“The show is kind of made to poke fun at the cliches of musical theatre,” Ben McNaboe, a graduate student at UMaine and the theater and music director of “Urinetown,” said.

McNaboe is a long-time music director. Although this is only his second year as the theater and music director for UMaine’s SPA, he believes this will be around his 63rd show in which he has participated.  

“The best part is seeing an actor do their thing and then seeing them have their moment. You can see it click in their face. I love that. I love thinking that I was a part of making that happen,” McNaboe said.

Guest choreographer Ray Dumont from Portland is coming up to work with the directors to help the cast members on learning the dances. On Monday, Nov. 16, Dumont will be teaching a small section of dance prior to having them audition. On Monday there will also be a vocal component of the audition, in which actors will perform song selections of their own choosing. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, people will read from the script selections from the characters for which they are auditioning. Wednesday will be used for callbacks if necessary.

“We do callbacks a lot because we are looking for people that are teachable and willing to learn through the process. That goes much farther and is much more important. Aside from being prepared, coming in with a positive attitude and walking in willing to do anything is good,” McNaboe said.

Many students will be vying for various slots in this play, since there are a lot of different openings available.

Kristen Richards, a second-year theatre and child development student, is trying out for the role of Mrs. Penny Wise, one of the only storeowners who has a working bathroom in the town.

“I’m really excited because it was one of the bigger plays that the university has ever done. There is a lot of hype. [It’s] probably going to be a really enjoyable show and a really enjoyable cast,” Richards said.

Rating: A+

Barbecue is a fixture in the southern parts of the U.S., but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be found in other places. Luckily, three men from Alabama were able to deliver to Maine some finger-licking-good pulled pork and smoked chicken sandwiches.

According to Moe’s Original BBQ’s website, the magic happened when Ben Gilbert, Mike Fernandez and Jeff Kennedy all met at the University of Alabama. They had a lot of similar interests in things of the south such as whiskey, blues music and, most importantly, sweet southern barbecue. Fernandez learned the art of smoking meat from Moses Day in Tuscaloosa and soon enough, the boys relocated to Vali, Colo., where they learned and refined more of their cooking skills.  

They soon realized that the recipe they finally settled on was a hit and made it public. Moe’s Original BBQ meats are fresh and smoked daily and the side dishes are all southern-style  recipes passed down to the boys for generations. The boys opened their first barbecue joint in the summer of 2001 and from there it skyrocketed. Their small dream of opening a barbecue place of their own turned from one store to 39 in just 14 years. Along with the 39 barbecue joints, Moe’s Original BBQ also has four other restaurants opening in New Orleans, Wilmington, N.C., and Johnson City and Knoxville, Tenn.

The Moe’s in Bangor opened in the spring of 2012 and the owner, Dewey Hasbrouck, was more than ecstatic to be able to bring this delicious Alabama-style barbecue spot to his hometown. The inside of the little restaurant has a rustic, southern look with a heavenly, smoky smell that wafts through the in and outside of the building.  

The most popular item on the menu is the pulled pork sandwich. It comes with an option of coleslaw and pickles on the sandwich and two side choices. The pulled pork is like no other; smoked to perfection and soggy with barbecue sauce, it is the perfect mixture of spicy, sweet and tangy. The creamy and zesty coleslaw on top of the pork with the sweet pickles makes it the best barbecue sandwich around the northern parts of the state.  

A small, yet substantial side of mac and cheese and green bean casserole was added to the order as well. And that was no mistake. There is no such thing as too much cheese and Moe’s obviously believes the same thing. Soft macaroni with mounds of cheese is the perfect side to go with this sandwich. Moe’s also makes a homemade vinegar-based barbecue sauce that tastes fantastic with the mac and cheese.

The green bean casserole is the absolute best — creamy and with sauteed onions and fresh green beans throughout the whole casserole. Crispy onion strings peppered on top were a crunchy addition that tied the entire dish together. The whole meal was completely scrumptious, an A+, as it should be in everyone’s book.

Moe’s Original BBQ is located on 650 Broadway Street in Bangor and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Come on out for some Alabama heat in the Maine cold.

The Collins Center for the Arts has been known all over the state of Maine for the variety of shows it brings to the greater Bangor area. From theater productions put on by students, to comedy acts such as the likes of Bob Marley and Rodney Carrington, the Collins Center draws diverse and notable acts from around the world.

But none compare to the Broadway shows brought in a few times a year. The latest show played at the Collins Center was “The Producers,” on Sunday, Nov. 8.

According to Stage Agent, “The Producers,” written by Thomas Meehan and Mel Brooks, is based on Brooks’ 1968 film of the same name. It tells the story of a Broadway producer named Max Bialystock, who misses the success of theater and will do anything to get to the top. With the help of a nerdy accountant named Leo Bloom, Bialystock devises an odd plan to make his way back to the top by producing a bad play rather than a good play.

A laugh inducing, crowd-pleasing favorite, it made its debut in 2001 and has won numerous awards, including 12 Tony Awards.

The company that performed “The Producers” at the Collins Center is called Big League Productions. They have performed shows at the University of Maine before, “The Music Man” being the most recent.

“It is nice to get something a little different from them. ‘The Music Man’ is a classic, whereas ‘The Producers’ is considered to be contemporary,” Danny Williams, executive director of the Collins Center for the Arts, said.

Williams is excited about a new title to add to the vast list of Broadway shows the Collins Center has hosted. He is also excited that Big League Productions put on the show.

“To be in this line of work and produce national Broadway tours, you can’t be just so-so, you have to know what you are doing, and they know. Any national Broadway tour is going to be a quality production, so I think that they are bringing something we have never seen before because it is exposing us to something different and something new and something that is really, really good,” Williams said.

The acting company did not respond to a request for an interview, but students at UMaine were just as excited as Williams about the prospect of a new Broadway show to see on campus.

“It’s pretty cool. You get a really great outside experience that by seeing a show can make you a very well rounded person. It can open your eyes to some cool stuff,” Kirsten Richards, a second-year theatre and child development student, said.

The Collins Center is always trying to bring in shows that encourage students to follow and pursue their dreams.

“I have always wanted to be on Broadway and seeing these shows warms my heart and overwhelms me with happiness,” Richards said.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and students at the University of Maine are celebrating everyone for their individuality.

Best Buddies is a campus club that may not be well-known, but it has just as much significance as other clubs. The club takes UMaine students and pairs them with another person who isn’t from UMaine — someone who is disabled in some way — and fosters friendships that can last a lifetime.

Different forms of autism, learning disabilities, blindness and mental illnesses are accepted at Best Buddies. One disability within the Best Buddies program that is more commonly known and seen is down syndrome.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder of the human chromosome 21, which causes developmental and intellectual delays. Between 200,000 and 3 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Down syndrome each year, according to the Mayo Clinic.

According to the organization’s website, Best Buddies was founded in 1989 by Anthony Shriver as a nonprofit dedicated to creating one-on-one friendships, and making jobs and developing leadership skills for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delays. Best Buddies organizations are all over the world, and UMaine happens to have the only Best Buddies organization in the state.

At UMaine, the Best Buddies program accepts all walks of life.

“Best Buddies is the place I feel most accepted. It showed me my problems aren’t as bad as they could be. It really helps me realize that there are so many other ways to look at life,” Adya Plourde, a second-year political science and women’s, gender and sexuality studies student, and Vice President of the UMaine chapter of Best Buddies, said.

Although this is Plourde’s second year working with the Best Buddies Program, it is her first year in a leadership role, and she says she loves every second of it.

“We are typically the second hand man, though I prefer woman, to the president. I love our cabinet because we all share equal responsibility. Without the support of them, work would be hard to get done. Though everyone has a separate role, we are a well-functioning machine,” Plourde said.

The Best Buddies come from all over, some even coming to see their buddies at UMaine from hours away.

“We are thankful for their parents and their contributions and their support and, without them, we wouldn’t be able to have this club,” Plourde said.

Anybody can be a part of the program, regardless of major or age. To be part of the club, there is an application, but it isn’t like an average job application. Best Buddies uses this application to pair members with a specific buddy and to see if the program is the right fit for them, although no one is denied access to the club.

“My buddy, Tiffany, is wheelchair-bound and she also has some dietary issues. My buddy lives in a group home and we do stuff together like baking and playing cards. She’s just so great,” Plourde said.

Plourde said some of the skills required are patience, tolerance, acceptance and emotional support.

“Be willing to see them as a friend and be emotionally supportive for them, because they will do the same thing for you times eight. Be encouraging for real friendships. Don’t do it just to have it on your resume. Have your heart be in the right place,” Plourde said.

[/media-credit] Thai 2 Go is located at 40 Broadway in Bangor.

Rating: A+

A sign, “World’s Best Drunken Noodles Served Here,” that hangs from the exterior of local restaurant Thai 2 Go, entices customers in. And if that doesn’t do it, then the spicy and sweet smells coming from the kitchen out back will be enough.

The happy-go-lucky looking building is quaint, inside and out. The bright red, vintage bike out front, the authentic shape of the front windows and the sweet red “Thai Food” signs, complete with elephants on them, tie the whole place together, and give this restaurant a kick of individuality.

Once inside, there isn’t much elbow room. There are a few items of interest hanging on the walls such as a Panama hat, hand fans and Thai currency, offering you a small but significant look into the culture of the owner’s homeland.

The menu is surprisingly large, offering many different options at reasonable prices. Any kind of noodle and meat mixture that could be thought of they have thought of it. From the green curry, which has broccoli, peas, bell peppers and basil with your choice of meat, to something inventively named the “sobbing princess,” a shrimp and chicken dish served over steamed veggies with a homemade spicy sauce. In the menu beneath the description of the “sobbing princess,” it reads “not recommended for the wimpy”.

“Not recommended for the wimpy” is a great way to describe Thai 2 Go’s drunken noodles as well. Thai 2 Go’s “famous” drunken noodles start with perfectly boiled rice noodles, which are mixed with an abundance of vegetables and other necessities that make this spicy pasta dish perfect. Mixed in with this dish is pan-seared chicken, chopped fried eggs, white onions — sautéed to perfection — thinly-sliced small carrots, chopped celery, basil and scallions. Not a single other amenity could have been added to this dish to improve it because the dish was already complete, but if it’s believable, the best is yet to come.

The sauce in the menu was described as the “house spicy sauce,” a description that doesn’t do it justice. The waiter gave the option of a spice level between one and five, one being mild and five being hottest. One was hot enough, so if you choose five, you better be getting a fire extinguisher for a side dish. But the important part is that it wasn’t just spice; it had a smoky feeling that could make taste buds dance. Add this to the veggies and rice noodles and you have drunken noodles tasty enough to give you a buzz.

Getting past the underwhelming outside of the building, this restaurant far exceeded expectations. The people were friendly and the food was exceptional. Drunken noodles, a famous dish, are a must try and, the next day, they taste even better cold.

Thai 2 Go is located in Downtown Bangor on 40 Broadway Street and is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

As the summer concludes and the school year begins, life gets busier. Clubs at UMaine open up to new members, football season has its opening night and the weather starts to cool down.  Along with all of these activities, another tradition has picked up from last year: Women of the World luncheons.

Forty years ago, the group Women of the World was started as a support group for spouses of students or new faculty who came to the University of Maine. Mireille La Gal, an advisor and coordinator in UMaine’s International Programs and an overseer of Women of the World luncheons, has helped run these events for 15 years.

“Back when this all started, people weren’t able to get around as easy as they can now. Some people of some cultures aren’t able to drive, so this was a way for them to get connected with the community and meet new people and do some fun activities,” La Gal said.

The luncheon is a women’s only event on the second Monday of every month, and each luncheon has a different theme with food provided accordingly.

“Right now, the group is a fairly large group of women who don’t necessarily have an international background, but it includes women who have an interest in international culture,” La Gal said.

The women who attend these luncheons don’t have to be of a certain ethnic descent — any female can attend. There is no age limit and, for women who have young children, the group does allow sons up to the age of 10.

“Way back when the group started, things were a little more strict than they are now, such as Muslim women can’t be in a room with another man that are not their family members, so that is why we have the restriction there. So that it would be a comfortable place for them to be at without having to worry about that,” La Gal said.

Mazie Hough, director of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program at the university, couldn’t be happier with these cultural celebratory luncheons.

“The idea of sharing food from different cultures allows the women from those cultures to take pride in and share their rich cultural heritage . . . We have come a long way at the University in our efforts to be inclusive, both of women and of multicultural issues,” Hough said. “What better way to celebrate both than with food and sharing.”

There is a group of five women who oversee the function of the Women of the World luncheons.  These women come up with a schedule of themes that will keep people interested. Sometimes they pick these cultural themes randomly and sometimes they tie them in with a holiday that is close to that particular luncheon.

Volunteers are recruited to help prepare the food for the luncheon, and three women are in charge of organizing various aspects of the luncheon — from picking the food to creating a presentation that embodies the theme of the event. In these luncheons, there is normally also some sort of exhibit, filled with objects from the place that the luncheon has been centered around.

The first luncheon of this year is at noon on Sept. 14 at the Church of Universal Fellowship, located at 82 Main Street in Orono.

Mainely Voices, UMaine Renaissance and The Maine Steiners. If you know anything about UMaine music groups, then these three will ring a bell. They are not only a cappella groups on campus, but are also very involved in the UMaine community and community service around the Orono area.

UMaine Renaissance is an involved group. Composed of 10 women, the group started in 1999. To become a part of UMaine Renaissance, you have to be a part of the singing group the University Singers, and because the audition process for that choir is vigorous, all of the women in University Singers are all eligible.  But because it is meant to be a small group, they add on to the group depending on who graduated and need for different style of voice. They perform in many different venues such as alumni banquets, fundraisers and awareness charities for UMaine, while schools and churches are some of the many places they play for the community. They also go on two tours, one with the University Singers and one on their own.

Molly Hunt, one of the two co-directors of UMaine Renaissance, loves being a part of this group and loves the people involved.

“The indescribable connectivity which blossoms between us when we create beautiful sounds together. We call ourselves ‘Sisters in Music.’” Hunt, a fourth-year Sociology student who’s been a part of the group for almost three years, said. She says though it is a big time commitment, it is “nourishing emotionally and enriching mentally.”

“It has shown me how ten women from ten completely separate backgrounds can find a commonality which brings joy to not only our lives, but also into the lives of others.”

UMaine Renaissance meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The well known all men’s a cappella group on campus, The Maine Steiners, is quite small, consisting of just six men. The group started back in 1957 as a barbershop quartet, but in the early ’90s, it was resurrected and added more men.

The Maine Steiners’ audition process has three rounds. First round is range testing and a solo of their choice, second round is, if they get a callback, to sing a solo that pushes them out of their comfort zone and is picked for them and third round is a rehearsal to see how they take direction and how they get along with everyone.

They perform in many places just like the rest of the music groups here on campus, but they focus much of their performance time in the public school systems. They do educational outreach programs at schools, teaching kids to sing a cappella and promoting music after school and in schools.

Derek Willette, the music director for The Maine Steiners, came to UMaine just to be a part of the group.

“I only applied here for the Steiners. I saw them perform my senior year in high school and they solidified my answer,” Willette said. “I wanted to be the redhead in the group. I wanted to sing with a bunch of guys. It was the ideal situation.”

Willette, a third-year music education student from Winterport, Maine, hasn’t regretted his choice.

“My main circle of friends has come from this. We always get new members and immediately become part of the family.” The Steiner’s meet three days a week for two hours on those days, depending on scheduling for the six members.

Mainely Voices is the only co-ed a cappella group at UMaine comprised of  17 people (three are abroad this semester). Originally, there were two different groups, Bear Vocals and Mixed Nuts. Five years ago, these two groups combined to make Mainely Voices, making it the newest UMaine a cappella group. The audition process normally has about 50 to 60 people wanting to join the a cappella group, but only normally take three or four people. Their auditions are during the first few weeks of school. The audition requires a solo of the person’s choice, do a blend with a whole group and then a call back for about eight to 10 of them. Like The Steiners and Renaissance, Mainely Voices perform a variety of shows throughout the school year. From normal shows, tours and fundraisers, they will sing whenever and wherever they get the chance.

“People form friendships outside of the music. We are all really tight. It creates a really neat dynamic,” Jason Burns, President of Mainely Voices, said.

Augusta-native Burns, a first-year grad student majoring in Civil Engineering, says that being in Mainely Voices is a great stress reliever.  “I have really figured out who I am. There are two Jason’s. Loud Jason in front of a crowd and then laid back Jason not on stage.”

Mainely Voices meets three times a week, on Mondays for one hour and Tuesdays, and Thursdays for two hours.

Meet Bailey. She is a 3-year-old Pit bull-Terrier mix. She is a strong-willed, active, lovable dog. She currently resides at the Bangor Humane Society and has been a resident for a month now. She is looking for a home that respects her active lifestyle. She is a sweet dog and would be a perfect match for plenty of loving and willing owners, but how do you know if you’re meant to be the one?

If you’re a college student, you may not be.

From classes, work, hitting the gym, grabbing a meal and going out, college keeps its students busy. College is a time for working hard, learning a lot, and having some fun too. With all of that, is it a good decision to adopt an animal at this busy time in your life?

According to Stacey Coventry, the Director of Development and Public Relations at the Bangor Humane Society (BHS), when it comes to college students dogs are a commitment.

“We are looking for permanent placement. It is stressful on a dog to have to move from place to place. If you are getting a dog as a college student, then you have to think about a few things. You will lose some freedoms that your friends without the same responsibilities may still have.”

Coventry has been working at BHS for almost four years and has seen a lot of dogs and cats come and go every year. She went into the job with a hope that she could give the community a different perspective of shelters and shelter animals.

“Animals don’t have a voice, I do. Not every dog is looking for the same human. My job gives me the opportunity to give the animals what they need and want in an owner,” Coventry said.

As rewarding as that is, there are also other cases that can be difficult. When adopting dogs out to the community, it is the staffs job to decide whether the potential owner is going to be a good fit. They have a questionnaire to fill out asking if they have kids or cats, how much land there is for the animal to run in, the financial situation of the person and other questions of that nature. The staff has to trust that potential adopter will answer the questions truthfully. They also do visits to make sure the dog is happy in its setting.

Coventry also mentioned that people don’t understand how expensive dogs can be. Food, emergencies, vet care, toys, add up to cost a lot of money and in college, money can sometimes be a struggle. Dogs are a huge responsibility — one that should not be taken lightly.

Brittney Littlefield also works for the Bangor Humane Society as an Animal Care Technician and the Volunteer Coordinator. Her job consists, among other tasks, making sure dogs find the right home based on their needs. She has been working at BHS for almost three years.

“We welcome any adopters so long as they are a good fit for the animal and will meet the needs of the animal,” Littlefield said. She advises that college students think hard and make sure they are ready to adopt an animal and to pick one that will fit into their busy lifestyle, as animals tend to take time, effortand love.

“I think if a college student lives in a place where they are allowed cats and can support a cat, it’s a great thing. Cats are a great companion when you feel lonely or stressed out from a busy schedule, plus they are fun to play with,” said Jenica Frazer, an Island Falls, Maine native who, along with her roommate, adopted a two-year-old cat named Leo from the Presque Isle Animal Shelter.

She said that there is only really one con to owning a cat during college and that is the cost, which isn’t that much.  But dogs are a little different. “We would love to have a dog here, but not only are we not allowed to have a dog here, but it is also extremely hard because college students schedules are so crazy and dogs need to be let out, walked, exercised a bit more than cats do. I would say that in most cases, it is not the most responsible choice of an animal.”

Having a pet is a big commitment as a college student but for those interested in still being around animals the Bangor Humane Society is open to volunteers. To sign up visit their website: www.bangorhumane.org.