LEWISTON – Christopher Schario likes to get people talking. He knows his most important asset is an enthusiastic person-to-person buzz about the shows at The Public Theatre.
Whether it is TPT’s renovations, its professional productions or its education programs, the theater’s 15th year offers much to talk about.
Schario, who is TPT’s artistic director, has another solid lineup. Leading off Oct. 14-23 is “Deathtrap,” Broadway’s most famous and longest running comic thriller, followed in November by Susan Poulin and Gordan Carlisle in their laugh fest, “In My Head I’m Thin.”
Then it’s some special holiday entertainment in December, the Maine premiere of the delightful off-Broadway comedy “Bad Dates” in late January, and the New England premiere of the off-Broadway hit “Fiction” in March.
Wrapping up the season in May is a touching comedy, “A Month of Sundays.”
The Public Theatre is entering Phase II of its renovation program. Phase I brought an addition to the stage and new restrooms last year.
Schario is anticipating his audiences’ first look at the theater’s brand new lobby, which he said will be ready for the mid-October opening performance of “Deathtrap.”
“I think when our audiences see it, they will go, ‘WOW!'” he said, adding the wow factor should follow right through as audiences take their seats for an outstanding season of drama and comedy.
“Deathtrap” is billed as a “fiendishly funny ‘who’ll do it’ with more cat and mouse games than a Tom and Jerry cartoon.” Written by the author of “The Stepford Wives” and “The Boys from Brazil,” this play is filled with razor sharp wit and hairpin turns, said Schario.
Some of The Public Theatre’s most popular actors, including Dale Place (“Lend Me a Tenor,” “Gun Shy” and “Marvin’s Room”), return in the cast of “Deathtrap.” Also in this cast are Marina Re (“Broadway Bound” and “Rumors”) and Sheila Stasack (“Fallen Angel,” “Red Herring” and “Marvin’s Room”).
November brings the return of Susan Poulin and Gordon Carlisle, best known as the creators of “Ida, Woman who Runs with the Moose,” and “Spousal Deafness; and Other Bones of Contention.” Their production of “In My Head I’m Thin” runs Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13.
“In My Head I’m Thin,” which is TPT’s fund-raising production, features an aerobics instructor from hell, a Barbie doll with the blues and a giant nude painting with dieting advice.
In December, six actors and a fiddler grab a handful of props and bring Charles Dickens’ language and characters to life in TPT’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 9, 10 and 11. This year’s production features a new actor in the central role of Scrooge. Each performace is followed by fiddler Jennifer Armstrong in her production of “A Homespun Holiday,” a celebration of famous American holiday songs and stories.
“Bad Dates” is playing Jan 27 to Feb. 5. In this show, Haley Walker, a restaurant manager, shoe connoisseur, divorced and a single mom, re-enters the dating pool and finds it a bit more fishy than she remembers.
The New England premiere of the provocative off-Broadway hit, “Fiction,” runs March 17 to 26. Successful authors and longtime married couple Linda and Michael treasure the honesty in their marriage until a shocking twist of fate compels them to read each other’s diaries. Fact and fiction intertwine as they delve into one another’s journals and discover that every marriage can use a little editing.
The 2004-2005 season ends with the touching comedy, “A Month of Sundays,” May 5 to 14. Two irascible curmudgeons flirt with women and senility as they plot their way out of their retirement home.
Reaching out to children
In the past 14 years, The Public Theatre’s educational programming has touched the lives of more than 50,000 children. With the support of local businesses and foundations that sponsor itseducational programing, TPT offers reduced rate tickets to schools. Free post-show discussions with the actors and the director follow each performance, giving students the opportunity to interact with the people who created the performance. Detailed study guides written by Bates Professor Martin Andrucki are created for each production.
Besides regular productions, TPT’s educational season will include Jennifer Armstrong’s original production of “From Away” for young students Sharing songs and stories from the Wabanaki, French, English, Irish, Swedish, Finnish, Thai and Somali settlers to our state, Armstrong asks the question, “How long are you ‘from away’ when you move to Maine?” and answers, “Till the last person who knows where you’re from forgets.”
There will also be presentations of The Children’s Theatre of Maine’s production of “The Masque of Beauty and the Beast” in May.
The regular season subscription price is $64 for adults, $56 for seniors and students. This season offers an earlier performance time of 7 p.m. for all Thursday shows.
Tickets for “In My Head I’m Thin” and “A Christmas Carol” are sold separately from the subscription and are $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, and $10 for children under 12.
For tickets and subscription information, call (207) 782-2211, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.thepublictheatre.org.
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