Modern Opera, Blissful Jazz, Bags O' Books, A Classic Poem & Holiday Cheers

It's never too early to think about the coming weekend. It's not because I'm rushing time, it's just there's so much to choose from that one needs to weigh his or her options.

This is the 2nd weekend for the Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company production of the Brecht-Weill classic, "The Threepenny Opera." We attended last Saturday's performance and, honestly, it looked like a work-in-progress. That said, the show came at the end of an incredibly long week of rehearsals (including "Tech-night", which is the theatrical version of madness.) Still, one could see that these kids have worked hard. If you've ever tried to navigate a Kurt Weill melody from the 1920s filled with Bertolt Brecht's tough lyrical passages, you know what the cast has to deal with. There are some top-notch performers and others, who when they return this week, should relax into their roles and elevate the show even more. The 5 musicians, directed by Joseph Getter, who accompany the 20 young actors, are excellent and work very hard to make sure that the audience can hear the words while not missing the music. Performances are 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday as well as next weekend. For ticket information, call 347-6143.

At the top of the column is the CD cover for the Noah Baerman Trio's new CD. "Bliss" features the Middletown-based pianist-composer-educator along with his long-time musical cohorts Henry Lugo (acoustic bass) and Vinnie Sperrazza (drums.) The Trio celebrates the CD release with an 8 p.m. concert this Friday at The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street. The music swings and sighs, displaying a bluesy elegance and an occasional hard edge. Everyone plays so well and they have such good interplay that the songs are very satisfying. In person, Sperrazza really pushes the music and it can get a bit loud, all in boisterous fun. The music starts at 8 p.m. For reservations, call 347-4957. To learn more about the CD, click here.

The Friends of The Russell Library holds its annual Holiday Book Sale this weekend, an opportunity to purchase gently used book, tapes and more for very modest prices. The Friends committee sets up their wares in the Children's Activity Room and is open for business Friday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Monday 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, The Buttonwood Tree hosts the "Paradise Lost" Marathon Weekend. Over the course of 18 hours, John Basinger will recite all 12 books of John Milton's classic work in celebration of the poet's 400th birthday (he was born December 9, 1608.) Basinger does not use a script as he has spent many long hours over the past 15 years learning the piece. His performance is truly a "tour-de-force." The schedule looks like this; Saturday Books I & II 10 a.m. - 1 p.m, Books III & IV 2 - 5 p.m. and Books V & VI 7 - 11 p.m. while Sunday Books VII & VIII will be heard 12noon- 2 p.m., Books IX & X 3 - 7 p.m. and Books XI & XII 8 - 11 p.m. Refreshments will be served in-between sections.

The Middletown Symphonic Band's Annual Holiday Concert takes place Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main Street. Music Director Marco Gaylord leads his troops through many seasonal favorites and a few surprises. The event is free and open to the public.

At 4 p.m., there will be a Christmas Candlelight Concert at First Church of Christ, 190 Court Street. Scheduled to perform are the Senior Choir, the Celebration Singers and the Heart in Hand Bell Choir. For more information, call 346-6657.