HARRISON – Veteran Lincoln County newspaperman Art Mayers, a longtime friend of Reny’s founder Bob Reny, watched over the years as the small-town retail icon struggled with the evolution of shopping habits. He watched as customers and planning boards grappled with the issues of zoning and development. He watched as main streets in town after town succumbed to the invasion of giant discount stores.

In 2005, as part of the Waldo Theatre’s Maine Playwright Series, he put his observations to music and Deertrees Theatre will produce the resulting two-act musical beginning Wednesday, June 21.

“Reny’s, the Musical” is more than a lighthearted satire about an epic struggle between downtown businesses and big, box-store Goliaths. It is also a love letter to one of the Pine Tree State’s favorite retailers, and a fresh comedy about life in small-town Maine.

“Reny’s” will be Deertrees’ first totally in-house theatrical production in more than 10 years.

The musical will be presented at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 21-24. There will also be 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25.

Tickets are available through the theater’s box office, 583-6747; in Bridgton at Cool Moose and Reny’s department store; at the Country Sleigh in Naples; at the Fare Share Co-op in Norway; and at Books-N-Things in Bethel.