As they knew it would, the talent has come “out of the woodwork” …make that “out of the woods” given where we are up here in these forested mountains.

I think it now can safely be said that a bit of brainstorming by two energetic Rangeley women, Terry Martin and Carolyn Smith, four years ago has resulted in a wildly popular series of musical performances that has all the earmarks of an unstoppable tradition of an evening of talent and fun on a twice-yearly basis.

Make that six times per year actually, as both the winter and summer versions of “The Diva Show” have three packed-house performances each! The 2010 winter edition finished its latest successful run this past weekend at the cabaret-style setting of The Clubhouse Restaurant and Lounge in beautiful downtown Rangeley.

The original term “diva” has been used since the late 19th century in reference to distinguished female vocalists, most usually opera singers. Today’s usage has been expanded to include “a very successful singer of non-operatic music.”

Knowing that there were a good number of talented female vocalists in the area who have been singing and performing in locally-produced musicals for years, Terry and Carolyn got to thinking “wouldn’t it be fun to have these women, young and not-quite-soyoung, perform beloved songs made familiar by successful modern day vocalists of various genres.” Add some great costumes, makeup and wigs… throw in the original background music via CDs… and most of all the grit, determination and willingness by these local ladies to give it their best shot before live audiences… and they might have a recipe for success. They certainly hit that nail on the head.

A short history of four years has proven them correct. Actually, it didn’t take that long at all. The first summertime performance four years ago sealed the deal… the talented performers “brought down the house” as they say. If you haven’t become a regular attendee of these performances, I can confidently say you have been missing something very, very special.

Pulling together both a summer and winter production is a lot of work. The organizing and production of the summer performances has been turned over to the folks associated with the long-standing, and very successful, Rangeley Friends of the Arts, a non-profit organization that has a long history of adding much to the musical and cultural richness of the Rangeley community.

And, like so many local projects and events that depend on the well-established community characteristic of volunteerism and giving that is very much the fabric of this area, the proceeds from these last two winter Diva Shows has gone to help fund the traditional class trips of the Senior Class at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School. There is every indication that this will be a goal of future winter shows as well.

Also, the talent pool has expanded geographically with female vocalists in this past weekend’s performances representing the towns of Stratton, Carrabassett Valley, Kingfield and Phillips. The Diva Show fun is clearly becoming regional in these western mountains of Maine.

In addition, for the last year or so, vocal performances by men have been an added dimension of The Diva Show’s program. And the very talented Barney Martin, of The Maine Hysterical Society comedy fame, has added a wonderful and hilarious dimension to each Diva Show theme with his “Emmett Pickett” character.

Yet, It is clear to me that it is the ladies who carry the day vocally… and it continues to be those two brainstorming, hardworking women and their passion for delivering evenings of enjoyment for performers and audiences alike (and a good bit of fundraising for worthy causes and projects in their community), who really, really, carry the day. I think I speak for an entire town and its surrounding area when I say “thank you, Terry… and thank you, Carolyn. Both clearly bring an added definition to the word “Diva”.

“We need to write, otherwise nobody will know who we are,” Garrison Keillor.

Per usual, your thoughts and comments are welcome. Jot them down on the back of a petition willingly signed by hundreds of local residents imploring me to never consider lending my vocal talents (or lack thereof) to any and all Diva Shows for the foreseeable future… and drop them off inside the log door of our mudroom on the west shore of Gull Pond, or simply send an email to allenwicken@yahoo.com.

P.S. Congratulations to two-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboardcross, Seth Wescott… you have made this corner of Maine very, very, proud via: 1) your athletic accomplishments and 2) your sense of community and support for your home town of Carrabassett Valley in particular, and the surrounding western Maine mountains area in general.