JUST ADDED: Wednesday, May 13 @ 2:00 pm

Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk | May 8-17, 2026

JUST ADDED! Weds, May 13 @ 2:00 pm

Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk | May 8-17, 2026

Creative Team & Cast

Creative Team

Director – Janet Mitchko

Stage Manager – Adam P. Blais*

Set Design – Erik Diaz

Costume Design – Frederica Johnson

Lighting Design – Brackley Frayer

Sound Design – Katie Kuan-Yu Chen

*members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States

Cast

Emma “Grandma” Gatewood – Brigid Cleary*

Man – Robert Pescovitz*

*members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

About the Playwright
Catherine BushCatherine Bush

Catherine Bush lives in Abingdon, Virginia where she works as Barter Theatre’s playwright-in residence. She has written a lot of plays ranging over several different genres. You want a drama? Sure thing. A southern comedy? No problem. A historical musical? You bet. Adaptation of a classic novel? Got those, too. And if you’re looking to entertain/inspire the school kids, she has a slew of plays for young audiences. So come on in and check it out. She’s open for business.

Take a walk with Grandma Gatewood

Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk

by Catherine Bush

In 1955 at the age of 67, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood told her children she was “going for a walk” and set out with her duffel bag, shower curtain (to keep dry) and a pair of Keds sneakers to walk the Appalachian Trail. Two thousand miles later, she became the first woman to solo hike 14 states from Georgia to the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Don’t miss the New England premiere of this true and inspiring adventure celebrating the resiliency of the human spirit and the courage required to walk into the unknown.

We consider this show “PG-13”

Content Advisory:

We consider Grandma Gatewood “PG-13” for depictions and descriptions of domestic violence.

More about the play

This inspiring theatrical adventure by playwright Catherine Bush brings to life the challenges and triumphs Emma “Grandma” Gatewood faced in her life on and off the trail, including all the characters who played a part in her incredible journey.

“This is an amazing story of a remarkable woman” says Director and Public Theatre Artistic Director Janet Mitchko. “This play is a true story about the resiliency of the human spirit that will remind everyone that we are never too old to change our life or pursue our dream. Grandma Gatewood had the courage to take a first step and keep going, and I guarantee you’ll be cheering her on when you see her standing onstage at the top of Mt. Katahdin.”

Demand for tickets has been so high that The Public Theatre has added two weekday matinees to accommodate the demand for tickets.

Playing the demanding role of Grandma Gatewood will be BRIGID CLEARY. Brigid is a 4-time Helen Hayes nominee in Washington DC and has appeared in leading roles in over 40 productions spanning nearly 5 decades at major professional regional theatres including Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, Mark Taper Forum, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Woolly Mammoth, among many others.

Playing the multiple roles of the many people in Grandma Gatewood’s life will be ROBERT PESCOVITZ. Robert has guest starred on many television series and is currently appearing as Robert Morgenthau on Ryan Murphy’s series Love Story. Robert has worked extensively in regional theaters including the Old Globe Shakespeare Festival under the direction of Adrian Noble, former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and most recently as Henry Lehman in The Lehman Trilogy at A.C.T. in Seattle. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance.

Bridgid Cleary & Robert Pescovitz

Brigid Cleary & Robert Pescovitz in Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk.
All members of Actors’ Equity, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the US

Brigid Cleary in Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk

Brigid Cleary in Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk.
Member of Actors’ Equity, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the US

Sponsors

Thank You to Our Partners

Alice's Awesome Adventures
Androscoggin Bank
Dirigo RMS - Risk Management Solutions
Schooner Estates Senior Living Community

Media Sponsor

Maine Public

Trailhead Sponsor

Maine Appalachian Trail Club
Performance Dates

ADDED MATINEE!

Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 9 at 3:00 PM
Sunday, May 10 at 2:00 PM*

Wednesday, May 13 at 2:00 PM
Thursday, May 14 at 2:00 PM
Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 PM*
Friday, May 15 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 16 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 PM*
Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 PM

*these performances feature pre or post-show events.

Ticket Prices

$35  Adult
$30  Group (10+)
$20  35 Below (ages 19-35)*
$15 Youth (ages 4-18)
Prices include all applicable Ticket Fees. A $4 Facility Fee will be added to every Ticket Order to help with the upkeep of our building.
Call 782-3200 for Group Sales.
*free 35 Below Membership required for this discount

JOIN US FOR THESE SPECIAL EVENTS
Included in your price of admission:
  • May 10 – Post-show talk-back with the Cast and Director. Following the 2:00 pm matinee.
  • May 14 – Wine Down Thursday – Come early and enjoy pre-show wine samples. Starts at 6:00 pm. – Courtesy of Central Distributors
  • May 16 – Saturday Night Samples – Come early and enjoy pre-show beer samples. Starts at 6:30 pm. – Courtesy of Baxter Brewing

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The Public Theatre

31 Maple Street
Lewiston, ME 04240

Business: (207) 782-2211
Tickets: (207) 782-3200