Martina McBride, ‘Finding Neverland’ among March CCA performances

March events at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine will include country music icon Martina McBride, a musical telling the story behind the classic “Peter Pan,” and more. 

Dance troupe Flexn will bring their show “FLEX AVE” to the CCA at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 1. Following breakthrough performances at New York City’s Park Avenue Armory, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Manchester International Festival, and an upcoming residency for the inaugural season of The Shed in New York City, this show is the brand-new creation of Flexn dance pioneer Reggie “Regg Roc” Gray. Characterized by a vocabulary all its own, Flexn developed from various Jamaican street dance styles into a distinct art form that has spread across the globe. 

“Finding Neverland” comes to the CCA at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2. The musical tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters — Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young boys and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. 

The award-winning television comedy “Mystery Science Theater 3000” will come to the CCA at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 8 in an all-new live show featuring Joel Hodgson. The original host and creative vision behind the series for more than three decades comes to Orono in his final live tour, with the never-before-screened film “No Retreat, No Surrender.”

In a partnership with Waterfront Concerts, the CCA presents Grammy-nominated country music icon Martina McBride, whose incomparable vocals have kept her at the top of the charts. Selling more than 18 million albums to date, McBride has earned 14 Gold, nine Platinum, three Double Platinum and two Triple Platinum certifications. McBride has been honored with more than 15 major music awards, including four wins from the Country Music Association and three Academy of Country Music Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year.

And at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, the Miró Quartet will perform in Minsky Recital Hall. The group will play “String Quartet No. 17 in B-flat major, K. 458” (The Hunt) by W.A. Mozart, and “String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810” (Death and the Maiden) by Franz Schubert, as well as a contemporary piece, “Credo,” by Kevin Puts. 

Broadcast series

“Fleabag” will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12 as part of the National Theatre (NT Live) series, which includes plays that are filmed in front of a live audience, transmitted via satellite to the CCA, then projected onto a high-definition screen — one of the largest in the state. When filmed, cameras are positioned throughout the theatre to ensure cinema audiences get the best-seat-in-the-house view.

As part of the Metropolitan Opera’s The Met: Live in HD series, “Der Fliegende Holländer” will be shown at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15. 

And a broadcast of “Kinky Boots” will be shown at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 28. 

For more information, to view the full season schedule or to purchase tickets, visit the CCA website.