LEWISTON - A new performance theater, dubbed The Maple Room, throws open its doors next month with an invitation for musicians and music lovers to harmonize.

The cozy, 80-seat venue is the love child of Rebecca and Taylor Mesplé, (pronounced Mess-Play,) a Colorado couple now living in Durham. Taylor is a professional studio musician and record producer, who has performed as a sideman in more than 1,000 shows, including recent work with James Taylor and bluesman Keb' Mo'. Rock aficionados might recognize Taylor, who played piano with Maine's Bill Chinnock after Mesplé and his wife moved to Maine in 2003 to be near family.

Mesplé has released several of his own CDs, as well as having done session work on 120 others. But it's not a need for the spotlight that's pushing the Mesplés into opening The Maple Room.

"We know so many phenomenal artists who have trouble getting a following," said Taylor. "We'd love for this to be a launching pad for artists."

The Mesplés are in the process of converting a street level section of the old New England Furniture Store building at 22 Park St. into the theater. Within a month, the spare shell located next to Club Adrenalin will be transformed into an intimate theater with upholstered seating on three sides of a center stage. A small lobby, concession area and gallery space will round out the interior.

"There are so few venues for artists to share the mastery of their art," said Rebecca of the performers they are lining up. "We wanted to provide a space where they wouldn't have to compete with conversation and the cappuccino machine."

The opening act, a Sept. 6 performance by Peter Mayer, lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett's band and a renowned musician in his own right, has already prompted calls for tickets, even though The Maple Room hasn't begun advertising yet.

"A lot of the artists we're lining up have mailing lists and hugely loyal fans," said Rebecca, noting she's fielded calls from New Hampshire and Massachusetts about tickets for Mayer's performance. "The audience is out there."

The Mesplés are choosing artists based on personal preferences ("We're a little bit selfish that way," joked Rebecca) and from Taylor's many contacts within the recording industry. Already confirmed: folk artist Livingston Taylor, dazzling acoustic guitarist and songwriter Willy Porter, the Portland String Quartet and rock troubadour Peter Mulvey, among many others.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $45, which the couple concedes could be a little steep for some of the lesser-known artists.

"We'll post clips on our Web site, so people who say, 'Gosh, do I want to pay $35 for a ticket for an artist I don't know?' can click and get to know them," said Rebecca.

The couple plans to line up local musicians as opening acts for the nationally known musicians, to give the lesser-known artists some exposure.

L-A seemed a good location for the theater because of its burgeoning local arts scene - a tribute to the work of the Franco American Heritage Center, L/A Arts, Public Theatre and Community Little Theatre.

"They are already doing fantastic things," said Rebecca. "We want to collaborate with them."

Affordable rents were another factor that drew the couple to L-A. The space they are renovating is a Coastal Enterprises mixed-use affordable housing project, with lease rates of $12 per square foot. Similar space in the Old Port would be leasing at around $30 per foot.

The Maple Room's location right next door to the Oak Park senior housing complex won't be a problem, said Rebecca. Most performances will be over by 10 p.m. and no alcohol will be served in the theater. The Mesplés have met with representatives from the apartment complex and are committed to being good neighbors.

They also uphold eco-friendly business practices and will offer goodies from Nezinscot Farm's organic bakery, Strawberry Hill Farm's organic maple syrup and Maine Root sarsaparilla and root beer in its concession stand. Maple-based organic bath and beauty products will also be available for purchase.

"We love, love, love the fall and maple syrup," said Rebecca, explaining the theater's name and profusion of sweet-tasting products.

The Mesplés are looking for corporate sponsors to help launch the theater. Prime sponsorships are available at $440 or $800 per month, which include theater- and Web-based promotions, free tickets and discounted rates for private rentals of the space.

Taylor will continue running his production company, InnerCircle Productions, while The Maple Room gets its footing. It's a concession to the need to make ends meet when you've got a 2-year-old and 4-year-old at home, he joked. But the plan is for The Maple Room to eventually turn a profit.

Still, the Mesplés are measuring success in a very different way.

"We define success by having a packed house every night," said Taylor. "It's easy to sell tickets for established artists, but to me, artistic success is when the reputation of The Maple Room will pack a house for an artist no one's heard of."

"We want people to say "Hey, they're playing at The Maple Room ... they're going to be great."