The Three Marys at the UU Meeting House

(from the archives) 2001

Musically speaking, we have more choices available to us than ever. If you like your pop canned and dispensed you can pick an attractive boy package (‘N Sync) or a barely clad girl package (Britney Spears). For diet-conscious consumers, there’s O-Town and Mandy Moore. If you have difficulty choosing what you like to listen to, you can read EW or watch ET, both of which will cheerfully steer your musical dollar in the direction of the neediest mega-corporation. Want a power ballad delivered with chest-thumping grandeur? Celine Dion. Need a gay icon? Madonna, duh (well, for you arty types, there’s Rufus Wainwright).

But what if you’re looking for something of substance? Maybe you’ve moved beyond letting magazines and television tell you what music to listen to. How about music that inspires you to dream, makes you laugh or dance, and slyly raises your political consciousness along the way? Fortunately, you’re in Provincetown, and you can go hear The Three Marys!

The Three Marys may well be Provincetown’s best-kept secret. Performing every Monday and Thursday evening in the “the big room” at the UU Meeting House, the Marys’ concerts are uplifting and electrifying. The group beautifully unites the vocal talents of three remarkable singers (Mary Abt, Jon Arterton, and Mary Jo Paranzino). Accompanied by Provincetown’s own John Thomas on piano, the Marys’ concerts are infused with heart, humor, and social conscience.

A Three Marys concert brings to mind the socially relevant music of groups like Sweet Honey in the Rock. With songs about the Underground Railroad, political prisoners, and homophobia, the Marys are not shy about raising their voices for change, and it’s an inspiring call to action. They perform Peter Gabriel’s “Hold On” as a powerful hymn for political prisoners around the world. They sing an aching, gorgeous rendition of Sarah McClachlan’s world-weary “Angel”. The Marys have a broad repertoire and they speak to their audiences’ desire to hear music that matters.

That’s not to say that The Three Marys are busy smacking audiences over the head with left-wing propaganda. All three performers are great entertainers, and the between-song banter and mid-song shenanigans are funny and engaging.

Paranzino, in particular, brings her personal flair to the group’s work with the song “Homophobic Blues,” which she wrote for her brother. “Homophobic Blues” is performed in the style of a girl group, but its message is one of heartfelt pride. “Don’t like what I do?” Paranzino sings to her (previously) homophobic brother, “dignity isn’t measured by you.” Paranzino later performs a beautiful solo ballad inspired by this special town: “When I’m in Provincetown, I can feel love all around…in a place where difference is not a shame.”

The group is quick to point out that Provincetown is a town with more male Marys than female, but in the Three Marys trio the women outnumber the man two to one. Mary Abt and Mary Jo Paranzino, happily coupled for 26 years, share a long history of song between them. Paranzino is the music director for the UU Meeting House, and Abt is an elementary school teacher in Truro; both were members of the group Destiny. Jon Arterton was a founding member of the Flirtations, the legendary gay singing group.

The Three Marys’ energy is infectious and they have no difficulty sweeping the audience into the spirit of song for a call and response roof-raiser, “It’s Alright.” Surrounded by the beautiful trompe l’oeil interior of the UU Meeting house, it’s impossible not to feel the spirit move you to sing along, and that’s just what the Marys are hoping you’ll do. You’re bound to leave humming one favorite tune or another, with your spirits high.

The Marys have even branched out into their own version of multimedia: they lead monthly vocal workshops that encourage people of all musical experiences to find their voices and sing. Fortunately for their many fans, they even now have a CD! The Three Marys are a class act, and Provincetown is lucky to have them.

Originally published in Provincetown Magazine on August 9, 2001.