Carousel Music Theater (CMT) in Boothbay Harbor is hosting an original 1940s USO musical show, “Liberty Belles,” through Aug. 30. “The show was written in-house, specifically for this cast by Garrett Carter,” said Executive Producer Paulette Carter.

The story is offered through the narrative perspective of retired Army private, bugle boy and roadie John Galloway as he reminisces about a trio of lovely sister singers (Rita, Linda and Meredith) he accompanied on a USO tour in the 1940s, after talking his way into the group.

Galloway, played by Steven Drake, is a comically unreliable narrator as he often embellishes details of their lives on the tour, including a series of made-up girlfriends, a professed backflip FDR did upon hearing their music, and his own rank in the Army (having told them he was a decorated general). The love interest he shares with Rita, played by Judy Garland-esque actress Sah K. Brule, works out in the on-stage chemistry between the two, singing duet “Thanks for the Memory” (Rainger and Robin, 1938).

Not to be missed is the stellar breakout performance by Erika Mesa, playing Linda. Her vocal stylings are deep and soulful, likened to Adele and Aretha Franklin. The bluesy-gritty nature of her powerful voice captures the spotlight in “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (Raye and Prince, 1941) and “I’m Beginning to See the Light” (Ellington, Hodges, James and George, 1944). Mesa can also scat, a vocal jazz style and, in “Deep in the Heart of Texas” (Hershey and Swander, 1941) and “I Can’t Say No” (Rodgers and Hammerstein, 1943) Mesa delights the audience by singing in a deep southern accent.

The performance showcases 24 well-known songs in all. The sisters, the Liberty Belles characters, give nod to the Andrews Sisters, adorning knee-length A-line dresses with bold patterns and colors fashioned by costume designer Paulette Carter. Hairstyles include pin curls and gravity-defying victory rolls. Stage props were simple and sparce to allow maximum space for dances inspired by the fox trot, jive, jitterbug and swing.

Returning CMT favorite Sydney Weiser (Meredith) gained her first choreography credit along with serving as director for the production. “I watched a lot of Andrews Sisters videos,” she said. “Their presence on stage was broad, not dainty. They’re powerful in taking up space. I loved how much they moved as a unit.” Weiser’s parents came from West Hartford, Connecticut to see her performance. They said she always had an interest in music theater since she could stand and sing, and she has a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater and directing.

The cast will return to New York City after “Liberty Belles.” Weiser will return to auditions and put down more permanent roots there. “Boothbay to me is a secret, little magic that I find restorative. I walk the footbridge every morning and take it all in,” she said. Drake will return to NYC for performances in “Cabaret” at the renowned Don’t Tell Mama nightclub. “Boothbay has gorgeous weather. It’s a lovely small town with good vibes,” he said. Brule is due back in NYC at the end of the month to start her Broadway role in “Chicago: The Musical.”

“This is the first season I’ve written every show,” said Garrett Carter. “I’ve been around music theater since 2012.” In terms of future aspirations, Carter hopes to write a pirate-themed musical.

CMT offers special thanks to Ashley Grace Ryan, music director; Leisha MacDougall, photographer; Leisha and Andy MacDougall; Susie Taylor, kitchen staff; and Mark Carter, Robb Barnard, Mary Miller and BRHS Drama Club.

Buy tickets for “Liberty Belles” by calling the box office at (207) 633-5297. CMT concludes its summer show series Sept. 17 with “Millennium Magic Chorus” featuring Maine Squeeze Quartet and VOCE.