Talents to the Max: McGee Will Perform at Fundraiser for the Winthrop Playmakers

Maxwell McGee will perform a one-person show at the Winthrop Playmakers on March 16 at 7 p.m. but there will be more than one talent on display.

The handsome 19-year-old from Derry, New Hampshire will actually be making his stage debut at what is expected to be a sold-out show.  What the audience will see is a showman, entertainer, performer, artist, standup comedian, impressionist, impersonator, magician, vocalist and dancer – all wrapped up in his lanky 6-foot frame.

Max has a strong connection to the town and the Winthrop Playmakers, who are celebrating their 75th anniversary.

His grandmother, Hall of Fame track coach Pat McGee, has performed in many of the group’s productions. His father, Kevin, a member of the 1976 Division 1 state champion Winthrop High School hockey team, will be the stage manager for the show. His uncle, John, is a producer of the show.

His uncle, Dr. Paul McGee, president of the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, will be in the audience for Max’s debut.

“I’ll be telling some jokes about my uncle Paul,” said Max. “In fact, most of my jokes will be about me and my family in Winthrop. You have to tailor your act to the audience.”

Max is very serious about the performing arts and hopes to have a career in the entertainment industry. A graduate of Pinkerton Academy, he is beginning his studies in radio, television, and film at New England Tech in Rhode Island.

“I want to be a full-time voice actor in the future,” said Max. “I’ll be putting a lot of my effort to a career that relates to voice acting and being in films.”

He has film credits, having played the role of a young Matt Farley in “Freaky Farley” when he was 13 years old, along with other parts in movies.

He’s been at his craft since he was five. He participated in martial arts, hockey, and basketball, buy discovered that entertainment was his favorite pastime.

At the age of 14, he performed magic, impressions, and dancing in a high school showcase.

“People thought I was just OK, which discouraged me a little in the beginning,” recalled Max. “But then I learned to improve myself tenfold until eventually I got this gig at the Winthrop Playmakers.”

He said his well-known grandmother Pat McGee encouraged him and offered advice.

“She gave me some good advice on stage presence,” said Max. “While growing up, I spent a lot of time at her house around the holidays.”

Ed Racicot, whose wife, Pam, is the treasurer of the Playmakers, has had a glimpse of Max’s show during a practice run.

“The key to this show is that the lighting in this show is going to be phenomenal,” said Racicot. “It’s going to make this show. It’s going to be make every scene work.”

Max hopes that Winthrop residents will come out and enjoy the one-hour show.

“This is a show that is so different – it’s never been done before,” said Max. “I can promise my audience that they will be thoroughly entertained.”