BLUE HILL — The New Surry Theater (NST) is organizing a tribute benefit performance honoring the late actor Herb Mitchell, a Bar Harbor native who began acting locally with amateur theater companies in 1972 and went on to make a successful career in films, television and TV commercials.

Bill Raiten, artistic director of the NST, is planning the performance for Saturday, Sept. 17, in Blue Hill, and is seeking people who would like to participate.

“I’m looking for anyone who knew and/or performed with Herb and has a story or a song to share,” he says. “But I also want people who can volunteer behind the scenes, selling tickets, working the lights and such.

At this point Mr. Raiten says, he has a variety show format in mind with the running title of “An Evening with Herb Mitchell: In Memory” and has already signed up a well-known “mystery guest performer” to sing and to provide accompaniment.

Proceeds from the event will go to the theater which helped launch Mr. Mitchell’s career and where he returned after retiring from professional acting, and the Hospice of  Hancock County, which helped Herb and his family through his final illness.

For more information, call Mr. Raiten at 374-5057, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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