2024 – 25 Season

Welcome to our 34th Season!

We kick off another great season of professional theatre with a special presentation of Late and Alone: An Intimate Portrait of Johnny Cash, in July. September brings American Idol Finalist, Julia Gagnon in her JULIA: Here in Maine Tour and our annual presentation of the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Our Subscription series starts in October with an extended run of the hilarious Off-Broadway comedy Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. Every Brilliant Thing will be a unique theatrical experience for all, and we celebrate the bonds of female friendship in Halfway There. We wrap up the series with the inventive romantic comedy, Now and Then. The holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol continues, and we’re sure to find a few more surprises for you along the way.

Late and Alone: An Intimate Portrait of Johnny Cash performed by Scott Moreau
JULIA: Here in Maine Tour with American Idol Finalist, Julia Gagnon
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg & Steve Rose
A Christmas Carol adapted by Christopher Schario
Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Halfway There by Norm Foster
Now and Then by Sean Grennan

Subscriptions and Groups on sale NOW!

Subscriptions On-Sale Now Read more about Subscriptions >>
Singles Tickets are On-Sale Now for all shows. Group Rates available. Read more about Groups >>

Download 24-25 Season Flyer

Late and Alone: An Intimate Portrait of Johnny Cash

performed by Scott Moreau

July 13, 2024 at 7:30 pm
July 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm

*sold separately from subscriptions

Maine performer Scott Moreau presents an unforgettable, one-man tribute to Johnny Cash. This dynamic performance features “The Man in Black’s” greatest hits as well as in-depth stories from nearly 50 years of Cash’s musical life, including his iconic epitaph, Hurt.

Running time: 90 minutes

JULIA: Here in Maine Tour

Saturday, September 7, 2024 | 7:00 pm
*sold separately from subscriptions

Cumberland resident Julia Gagnon rose to fame on American Idol: Season 22, by making it to the top seven finalists. Following an amazing performance which earned her a “platinum ticket” the judges proclaimed her “one of the biggest voices of the season.”

Tickets: $40 Standard / $45 Premium / $50 Premium Plus (front row)

Proceeds from this special concert event will provide important support for our full season of plays and educational programming.

Pricing includes all applicable fees. No vouchers or Gift Certificates may be redeemed for this special fundraising event.

Running time: 90 minutes with one 15 minute intermission.

Buy Tickets

Manhattan Short Film Festival | Sept 27 & 28 @ 7pm

2024 Manhattan Short Film Festival

Friday, Sept 27 & Saturday, Sept 28 @ 7:00 pm
*sold separately from subscriptions

Attention all film lovers and film makers:

The Public Theatre will be hosting the GLOBAL MANHATTAN SHORT film festival. Film lovers will unite in over 500 venues worldwide to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world.

Tickets: General Admission – All tickets $15

Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15 minute intermission.

Buy Tickets

DRACULA: A Comedy of Terrors

by Gordon Greenberg & Steve Rosen

Oct 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19*, 20 – added dates – Oct 24, 25, 26, 27 – 2024
Thurs & Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat @ 3:00 pm / Sun @ 2pm, Sat, Oct 19 @ 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm

You’ll scream with laughter at this hilarious Off-Broadway comedy that goes for the jocular! Packed with witty wordplay, pop culture references, and a nod to Mel Brooks and Rocky Horror, five actors sink their teeth into dozens of roles in this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud reimagining of this gothic classic perfect for audiences of all blood types. Get ready for fang-tastic fun!

Buy Tickets

A Christmas Carol

adapted by Christopher Schario

December 13, 14, 15 – 2024
Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm / Sun @ 2:00 pm
*Sold separately from subscriptions

Six actors and a fiddler perform the Dickens out of this beloved holiday story told in a way you’ve never imagined and will never forget! Don’t miss this unique and acclaimed adaptation originally created at The Public Theatre, now published and performed all over the world!. Children 18 and under only $15!

Buy Tickets

Every Brilliant Thing

by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe

Jan 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, Feb 1*, 2 – 2025
Thurs & Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat @ 3:00 pm / Sun @ 2pm, Sat, Feb 1 @ 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm

When you’re six years old, your mother goes into the hospital because she finds it “hard to be happy” and you write her a list of all the brilliant things in life worth living for. No. 1: “Ice cream”, No. 25: “Wearing a cape”, No. 517: “The even numbered Star Trek films”. As you grow older, the list grows with you, reminding you of all the large and small miracles in life. Told with the help of the audience, this hilarious, heartbreaking and critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway hit is an interactive life-affirming experience you will never forget.

Buy Tickets

Halfway There

by Norm Foster

Mar 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22*, 23 – 2025
Thurs & Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat @ 3:00 pm / Sun @ 2pm, Sat, Mar 22 @ 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm

There’s no such thing as a secret in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia – especially when four lovable ladies meet every day for coffee and a gab fest at the local diner. When a young doctor comes to town and takes an interest in the youngest of the women, he must undergo a grilling by her three middle-aged wise-cracking friends. Imagine And Just Like That meets Steel Magnolias in this delightful celebration of the unshakeable bonds of female friendship. Filled to the brim with humor and heart, it’s the perfect “date night” or “girls’ night out”!

Buy Tickets

Now and Then

by Sean Grennan

May 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10*, 11 – 2025
Thurs & Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat @ 3:00 pm / Sun @ 2pm, Sat, May 10 @ 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm

They say there are no “do-overs” in life, but if you could get one, would you take it? A young bartender and his girlfriend receive an intriguing proposition from a mysterious last-minute customer who offers them $2,000 to sit and talk with him for an hour. What follows is a humorous and emotional time-warp full of unexpected life lessons, laughter and romance. Don’t miss this inventive and heartfelt romantic comedy about following your dreams and the consequences of our choices.

Buy Tickets

The Dragon King

by Tanglewood Marionettes

All Tickets $15!

May 18, 2025
Student Matinees: May 19-23 Read more about Student Matinees >>

*sold separately from subscriptions

An underwater fantasy based on Chinese folklore, The Dragon King tells the tale of a courageous Grandmother who journeys to the bottom of the sea in search of the elusive Dragon King, and the answers to why he has forsaken the land above.

Running time: 50 minutes

Appropriate for children 4 and up.

2023 – 24 Season

We had a great lineup of shows in 2023-24. From the World Premiere of “Paint Night” by Carey Crim to the American Premiere of “Lunenburg” by Canada’s most prolific playwright, Norm Foster. We were excited to bring back our unique version of A Christmas Carol for the first time since the pandemic and welcomed over 3,600 students and educators to Student Matiness for “A Christmas Carol” and “Cinderella”.

2022 – 2023 Season

Our 2022-23 Season ran from September 2022 - May 2023. Finally returning to our four-show subscription series, we produced a full season of shows and a family-friendly musical. Over 2,900 students, educators and families attended our production of Polkadots: The Cool...

Craig Bockhorn, Joych Cohen, Allison Briner Dardenne, Douglas Rees in Middletown

2021 – 2022 Season

A lot has changed in our world since we all sat together in the theatre. Thank you for your patience and support as we resume producing under these new conditions.

2020 – 2021 Season

You’re probably wondering what’s happening at the theatre and when you’ll be able to see a play again. And the truth is, we are still figuring that out. Our ability to produce live on stage will depend upon the cost of meeting CDC guidelines, gaining permission from...

2019 – 2020 Season

“Women in Jeopardy” and “Sexy Laundry” get our season off to a terrific start and we break our previous box office set by “Ripcord” with the hit “Sexy Laundry.”

2018 – 2019 Season

It’s a season for partnerships as Janet is reunited with old friend and scene partner, Paul Schoeffler, for A Doll’s House, Part 2 and we co-produce Grease with Maine State Music Theatre.

2017-2018 Season

Costumer designer Anne Collins designs and builds by herself four stunning period costumes for The Revolutionists.

2016 – 2017 Season

Playwright John Cariani joins us to rehearse Last Gas and offers final tweaks to the soon to be published script.

2015 – 2016 Season

Two-time Tony Award winning actress, Judith Ivey, directs the runaway box office smash, The Ladies Foursome.

2014 – 2015 Season

The Cocktail Hour brings real life couple Ellen Crawford and husband Mike Genovese from NBC’s E.R. back to our stage.

2013-2014 Season

In Moonlight and Magnolias the three characters were trapped in a room until they finished writing the script for Gone with the Wind with nothing to eat but . . .

2012-2013 Season

Janet directs The Hound of the Baskervilles and “silly” becomes her plan of action.

2011-2012 Season

Joel Leffert stars as the artist Mark Rothko in Red. He returns as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol the next season, and in Outside Mullingar in 2015.

2010-2011 Season

Producing the Off-Broadway hit, Animals out of Paper, we needed to fill our set with the highest level of origami possible, as two of the characters were an origami prodigy and his teacher.

2009-2010 Season

For Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde we went on a hunt for “scientific equipment” to fill Dr. Jekyll’s lab.

2008-2009 Season

Preparing for Secrets of a Soccer Mom, we went in search of an artificial grass lawn to put onstage.

2007-2008 Season

We perform Almost, Maine, the first of three productions of Maine playwright John Cariani’s plays that we will produce. John flies in to see it and quickly becomes our friend.

2006-2007 Season

The entire first act of Enchanted April was played in front of a curtain painted to look like the black and white newspaper ad. What was behind it?

2005-2006 Season

Deathtrap was set in the study of a mystery writer and the set required a wall filled with unusual weapons that he collected.

2004-2005 Season

After the final preview of The Woman in Black, we didn’t think the show was scary enough, so the next day we went back into rehearsal and added several new tricks.

2003-2004 Season

The 1950’s Cold War spoof Red Herring had one of our all-time favorite jokes: “How do you make a stiff drink? Feed him salty snacks.” . . .

2002-2003 Season

We opened our season with Art. One day during a design meeting we were discussing the various shades of gray the set might be. “Like the gray in Bart’s shirt” said someone at the table.

2001-2002 Season

When 9/11 happens we realize an actress we hired for the upcoming show Blithe Spirit lives in the World Trade Center neighborhood. It took us almost a week to locate her and find out she was okay.

2000-2001 Season

We open with The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged). The Portland Phoenix Reader’s Poll votes The Public Theatre “Best Theatre Company”.

1999-2000 Season

Dracula sells like wildfire. Multiple audience members showed up in capes and fangs. Are they really vampires? Who knows?

1998-1999 Season

In June, Ellen Crawford, Nurse Lydia Wright on the NBC hit E.R., returns to perform The Belle of Amherst, a one-woman show about American poet Emily Dickinson.

1997-1998 Season

That summer we audition David Harbour for the role of Evans in Terra Nova.

1996-1997 Season

Talented thirteen-year-old local actor Seth Schlotterbeck is cast as the younger brother in “Lost in Yonkers.”

1995-1996 Season

Janet discovers she is pregnant the day before rehearsals begin for the opening show of the season “Dancing at Lughnasa.”

1994-1995 Season

During a TV interview, the host of the show publicly laughs when we tell him the theatre has gone Equity, scoffing at the feasibility of a professional theatre surviving in Lewiston.

1993-1994 Season

Christopher is hired as the Artistic Director. He pays his own way from New York to Maine to interview for the job and becomes the only full-time paid staff position along with a part-time technical director who designs, and builds sets and lights for every show.

1992-1993 Season

The Public Theatre rents the Ritz theatre and volunteers from the entire community individually reupholster every seat in the house in time for the theatre’s opening performance of Scapin. The paint was still drying on the walls as the lights went down.

1991-1992 Season

Did you know that The Public Theatre’ first show, That Championship Season, was produced in a borrowed space in the Auburn mall?