Stage and screen star John Davidson, at the me&thee on Friday!

Fresh from his starring roles in Finding Neverland and Wicked, John Davidson returns to his real passion in life—being a troubadour. With backstage stories of his 50 years of TV hosting (Hollywood Squares, That’s Incredible, The Tonight Show), and movies, plus his impressive history of concert performances, John delivers an energetic evening of humor, inspiration, and songs both old and new. He’ll be playing at the me&theeon Friday, September 28. Amanda Maffei, a graduate of Marblehead High, opens the show. The me&thee coffeehouse is at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford Street, Marblehead. The show begins at 8:00 p.m.

John Davidson arrived on the scene over 50 years ago with a B.A. in theater arts from Denison University. He debuted on Broadway soon thereafter in a show called Foxy starring Burt Lahr (the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz). Later he went on to star in State Fair and win a Theater Guild Award for playing Curly in the Broadway revival of Oklahoma!

John became a staple on TV and hosted his own daytime talk show, (too many) beauty pageants, the Tom Jones summer replacement series, as well as The Kraft Summer Music Hall with regulars George Carlin, Flip Wilson, and Richard Pryor. He co-starred with Sally Field on a TV series, The Girl with Something Extra.John appeared in Disney films like The Happiest Millionaire and The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band as well as appearances in other films – including the iconic Edward Scissorhands.

Over the years, John recorded many record albums. Singing and telling stories has always been one of his favorite things to do and his irrepressible sense of humor comes through loud and clear during his performances. He may be remembered as the All-American boy next door and now it’s time to find out more about him and get to experience him up close and personal in an intimate venue.

Amanda Maffei brings a unique depth and breadth to her music and music community. A Marblehead native, Amanda recently wrote and recorded her first professionally produced debut album, Both Sides Now, with Crit Harmon as producer and Brad Hatfield as director; she wrote and recorded a compilation of six kids’ songs and radio plays with a cast of professional storytellers and musicians, along with a professional Foley artist for sound effects; she wrote and had illustrated a children’s book entitled Where Are Sam and Grace? companioning one of the radio plays; and wrote script and score for a children’s/family music based upon theScandinavian tale Tatterhood.

Tickets for John Davidson are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. As at all me & thee coffeehouse events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus.

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic coffeehouses in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

Next concert: Friday, October 5: One of the hottest string bands around, Twisted Pine. Quentin Callewaert opens the show.