FREEPORT — Through the efforts of some dedicated theater supporters, a benefit concert will be held at the Freeport Performing Arts Center on Holbrook Street to help launch a series of high-quality local performances.

Freeport Performing Arts will present Symphony-Plus at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, as the inaugural concert to support the launch of FPA Presents, a  performing arts series slated to begin in 2012.

FPA was formed by Tom Acousti and Diane McLellan of 3 for 3 Partnered Events and Sam Hunneman and Maryellen Carew of MASISTA – Maryellen And Sam In Support of The Arts. Acousti is also the manager of the FPAC.

Hunneman said they want to provide the community with affordable and quality events at the Freeport Performing Arts Center and hope to produce three to five classical music, jazz, dance or theatrical events each year.

The benefit concert will feature Laura Kargul, a world-renowned classical pianist and director of the keyboard program at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. She will perform with Robert Lehmann conducting the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra and Robert Russell leading the USM Chorale.

Hunneman, former member of the FPAC building committee and an admitted “theater mom,” said Kargul is a Freeport resident who has been a supporter of FPAC. She said Kargul was instrumental in finding a Steinway piano for the facility and served on the FPAC advisory board.

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“It’s important to us that we provide the community with affordable, quality performances for residents to enjoy,” Hunneman said. “We will strive to keep the cost low because we want to fill the seats. We want to put the audience and performers together.”

Hunneman said even though the center is in the high school, it belongs to the community. Taxpayers approved a $3 million bond to have it built, she said, and it should be a place for community musical events, theater and dance performances.

“The fine arts do not have to stop at Portland,” Hunneman said.

The Nov. 19 event is $12 per person and $10 for seniors. There are special online ticket deals for students and arts organizations.

Local businesses and restaurants are offering special deals before and after the concert, too. To take advantage of the Symphony-Plus discounts, show participating businesses a concert ticket; a list of participating businesses can be found at freeportperfomingarts.com.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @amy_k_anderson


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