HALLOWELL – Gaslight Theater is presenting “The Manchurian Candidate” by John Lahr for its last production of its 2004 season. Shows will be Nov. 12-13 and Nov. 18-20 at Hallowell City Hall.

In the play, America is in the grip of Japan, an assassination plot against the president, a weak vice president, the threat of nuclear war in the Persian Gulf, espionage, intrigue, incest and the likelihood of a right-wing takeover of the United States.

Raymond Shaw is the first Congressional Medal of Honor winner since Vietnam. In chilling flashbacks, he is shown to be no war hero, but a prisoner brainwashed by mysterious captors in the Middle East. This drama reaches a crescendo of almost unbearable suspense, according to the theater’s spokesman.

Lucy Hunter Poland-Brown directs this production. She is a longtime Gaslight performer and first time director for Gaslight. Eileen Watson is assistant director.

Ben Keene, a newcomer to Gaslight, plays Raymond Shaw.

Mike Coty plays Ben Marco, Meg Matheson plays Eleanor Iselin, Frank O’Mar is Johnny Iselin and Rachel Linton plays Eugenie Cheyney. All are a longtime Gaslight actors. Audrey Johnson, a newcomer for this season, plays Jocie Jordan.

Other cast members include Diantha Bovey (the doctor), Lee Kerr (O’Neill and Billy Fasolino), Don Macomber (Ed Mavole and other characters), Bob Witham (Holborn Gaines), Ron Veno (Tom Jordan and Gen. Jordensen), David Ehrenkrantz (the president and other characters), John Bolduc (Cpl. Alan Melvin and other characters), Kevin Polk (Gino Mavole and the secretary of defense), Brendan Polk, Brooke Robinson, Kathy Bartlett and Katie McConnell.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, and 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. For reservations, people can call 626-3698.

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