New Life News

Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center
344-346 Main St, Groton, MA 01450, (978)254-1220

This “auto-bi-allegory” is based on the life of 17th century author, preacher and tinker John Bunyan and interwoven with his spirit quest story, “The Pilgrim’s Progress” along with portions of his other writings all penned during his 12 year imprisonment in Bedford England under the Act of Uniformity.
Perhaps life’s truest metaphor, Bunyan’s timeless tale tells of one man’s journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City.

“And as I slept, I dreamed a dream.” Once there was scarcely a home in England where these words would not be recognized as a fragment of the opening lines of the world’s best-selling spiritual quest story, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”

Hailed as “the ancestor to the English novel,” “The Pilgrim’s Progress” has never been out of print. For more than 250 out of its 335+ years in publication, it has been the world’s best-selling book, next to the Bible. It has been translated into more than 200 languages. It is the story of Everyman, embraced by people of all nations.

John Bunyan was a prisoner of conscience for 12 years in a cold, dirty jail in Bedford, England. But his imagination was not held captive. He writes an unforgettable allegorical journey from “The City of Destruction” (this world) to the “Celestial City” (that which is to come).

This musical adaptation is written and directed by David MacAdam and features 37 actors/singers/dancers ready to take you on the journey of a lifetime. It’s all here- the Hill Difficulty, Palace Beautiful, Vanity Fair, mountaintop exhilarations, valleys of humiliation, dungeons of despair and the unpredictable twists and turns on what proves to be the dangerous road of life.

MARCH 13, 2020

New Life Fine Arts has postponed the April 2020 production of “Esther: For Such a Time as This” until further notice.

Due to the increasing concern over the growing Coronavirus pandemic, the Groton-Dunstable school system has closed their schools and postponed all “outside activity” until further notice. This includes events at the Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center, where our productions have been held during the last few years.

We are grateful to you—our NLFA family—for your support and prayers during this unique time in world history. If you have purchased tickets in advance, you will be contacted within the next few days and receive a full refund. Once we have a better understanding of the country’s health situation, we will be in touch about rescheduling the performances of Esther.

Until then and always, our confidence is in the Lord. Please keep New Life Fine Arts in your prayers as we seek the Lord’s help in navigating these unfamiliar waters. Remember: “We will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph though us!”

In great appreciation for you all,
Peter Vantine, Production & Development Manager
New Life Fine Arts

MARCH 9, 2020

PARTNER WITH US ON THE CAST RECORDING OF ESTHER!

Learn more about this opportunity on our Indiegogo campaign site.

In September of 2019, New Life Fine Arts premiered their original musical stage production of Esther: For Such a Time as This at the Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center with over 4500 people attending across 8 performances. Rave reviews and an eager cast have inspired the idea to bring the powerfully orchestrated music from this incredible story to CD and digital format in the premiere cast recording!

The recording will be made available to the public at the encore theatrical performance of Esther scheduled for the last two weekends in April 2020 in Groton, MA. It will serve as a way for audiences to carry the story and music of Esther with them after the show, to be used to invite others to hear the incredible truth of God’s purpose and provision, and to support NLFA’s future endeavors in bringing “theater you can believe in” to a wider audience.

FEBRUARY 23, 2020

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR ESTHER THE MUSICAL!

In September of 2019, New Life Fine Arts premiered their original musical stage production of Esther: For Such a Time as This written by David K. MacAdam at the Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center. The eight performances were met to rave reviews with over 4500 audience members in attendance.

This April 17-26 NLFA will present 8 encore performances at the Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center, 344 Main St, Groton, MA. Order your tickets online now!

You can also order tickets over the phone by calling 978-254-1220. Ticketing questions can be emailed to tickets@newlife.org or by calling the ticket phone line. Don’t miss seeing Esther this time around. It won’t be back on stage again until 2024.

JANUARY 8, 2020

OPEN AUDITIONS FOR ENCORE PERFORMANCE OF ESTHER THE MUSICAL

► AUDITION REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

On Thursday, January 23, 2020, New Life Fine Arts hosted open auditions for an encore run of this production at the New Life Ministry Center, Concord, MA. Many of the original cast and crew returned to reprise their roles. Auditions for our musical productions are always a great opportunity to get involved and become more acquainted with the NLFA family.

We are still looking for additional tech and stage crew members (including makeup, sound, costumes, props, lighting, etc.). If interested, email info@newlifefinearts.org.

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Dear New Life family,

I am more than pleased to announce that Peter Vantine has been appointed to serve as Production and Development Manager with New Life Fine Arts. Peter and I have worked together on NLFA projects for the past four years, and his gifts complement the rest of the NLFA team. He has served as music director, arranger and orchestrator for “Scrooge”, “Luther”, and “Esther”. I have been especially cheered by observing his organizational and administrative talents in bringing tasks to completion. Peter’s wife, Laurie, rightly calls him, “Mr. Efficiency”.

I will be transitioning from Producing Director to Artistic Director to make room for this needed position. Peter’s administrative gifts have been proved as he served and helped develop ministries with First Loved Ministries, North Shore Community Baptist Church, Middleton Congregational Church, and Covenant Christian Academy. He has also pioneered his own music ministry work through Prayerful Improvisations and Vantine Music. Join me in welcoming Peter to the NLFA team!

David K. MacAdam
Artistic Director

p.s. If you have any questions or greetings for Peter, you can email him at pvantine@newlifefinearts.org