The 2008 2009 Season
ON GOLDEN POND
by Ernest Thompson
September 10-21, 2008
Presented to great critical and popular acclaim first off then on Broadway, before becoming an oscar winning film, this touching, funny and warmly perceptive play follows a spirited and lovable elderly couple facing their twilight years over the course of a summer at their camp in Maine. "ON GOLDEN POND is a work of rare simplicity and beauty" —NY Daily News. "…a rare and memorable theatrical experience…" —Variety.
STATE OF THE UNION
by Russel Crouse & Howard Lindsay
October 22-November 2 , 2008
Elect the winner of the 1946 Pulitzer Prize as your theatrical production of choice this Election Season. State of the Union is the ultimate Washington power play about political ambition and moral principles, backroom deals and party bosses, special interest groups and romantic intrigue. It's 1948 and the Republicans are grooming their handpicked candidate and 'captain of industry' Grant Matthews for a run for the White House. As Matthews struggles with issues of politics versus principles, he finds comfort in his estranged wife who has been brought in from out of town for use as a campaign pro. A wildly comedic ride of politics, power and personalities. Not to be missed.
MAINE ARTISTS FELLOWSHIP AWARDS SHOWCASE
Maine Arts Commission
November 21, 2008
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Maine Arts Commission’s Fellowship program, the agency is presenting a memorable showcase filled with live music and dance that features performances by all of the 2009 Maine Arts Commission Fellowship Awardees and Traditional Arts Masters.
Among the performances will be Televisitation Choreographed by Alison Chase (performing arts fellow and former founding director of Pilobolus Dance) and Robby Barnett, featuring dancers Rebecca Anderson Darling and Matt Kent.
Additionally, there will be joint musical performances from six traditional artists; sensational demonstrations of Visual Arts; East Indian Dancing and a whole host of additional content such as, a performance from the cast members of A Year with Frog and Toad, who will provide a sneak preview of the Penobscot Theatre’s Tony-nominated hit holiday musical.
Appropriate for all ages and free to attend.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale
Music by Robert Reale
Based on the Books by Arnold Lobel
December 10-23, 2008
The well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in this tony-nominated musical for the whole family. A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD remains true to the spirit of the original stories as it follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad through four fun-filled seasons. Waking in the spring, they proceed to plant gardens, swim, rake leaves and go sledding, learning life lessons along the way, including a most important one about rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different and special. A score that bubbles with melody and wit, its jazzy upbeat sound helps to make this show an inventive, exuberant and totally enchanting classic in the making. Appropriate for ages 3 and up.
in repertory with
A TUNA CHRISTMAS
by Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams
December 10-23, 2008
It's Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest. In other news, voracious Joe Bob Lipsey's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is jeopardized by unpaid electric bills. Many colorful Tuna denizens join in the holiday fun. "So funny it cou;d make a racoon laugh affectionately at Davy Crockett...It's far too good for just Christmas." - NY POST
DINNER WITH FRIENDS
by Donald Marguiles
March 18-29, 2009
Winner of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize. "…Margulies writes about relationships with such intelligence and spiky humor that his comedy-drama…becomes something quite wonderful." —Time. "…wry and keenly observed and bathed in the unspoken sorrow that can sneak up on you in middle age…" —NY Times. "…full of life, warmth, laughs and wisdom…" —NY Daily News. "A breezy comedy of modern manners that turns poignant and deeply affecting by its end. Margulies touches chords that resonate with a deep affecting humanity." —San Francisco Examiner.
MAURITIUS
by Theresa Rebeck
April 29 - May 10, 2009
Maine Premiere. Stamp collecting is far more risky than you think. This hit during Broadway’s 2007 season, follows the story of two estranged half-sisters who discover a book of rare stamps that may include the crown jewel for collectors after their mother dies. One sister tries to collect on the windfall, while the other resists for sentimental reasons. In this gripping tale, a seemingly simple sale becomes dangerous when three seedy, high-stakes collectors enter the sisters' world, willing to do anyt hing to claim the rare find as their own. Comic and thrilling, a great new American play.
SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE
by Steven Dietz,
based on the original 1899 play by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
June 10-21, 2009
Maine Premiere. Winner of the 2007 Edgar Award for Best Mystery Play. “This witty, well-crafted script is very much an homage to Conan Doyle, and the play’s greatest pleasure is seeing his iconic characters brought to life. A delightful evening of entertainment.” —Arizona Republic. “Dietz has created a fun evening that moves quickly, and is guaranteed to please everyone who joins in the game.” —BackStage.
The 3rd Annual Northern Writes New Play Festival
June 22 - July 3, 2009
Two weeks worth of readings and workshop productions of new theatrical work in development. 10-minute plays, one-acts and full length plays and musicals will all be on the bill as Penobscot Theatre becomes a haven for creation this summer.
Click Here To Order Tickets Online
Click Here To Download the 2008-2009 Season Brochure
(adobe acrobat is required)
