LEWISTON – There are moms all over this part of Maine who will see themselves in “Secrets of a Soccer Mom.”

Christopher Schario, artistic director of The Public Theatre, is sure of it.

That’s why this recent off-Broadway comedy hit was picked to open TPT’s 18th season. “We wanted to do this play a couple of years ago, but timing and other things were not right,” said Schario, who directs the show. “This year, we took a look at it again and we said, ‘This is our audience. We have got to do it.'”

Opening Friday, Oct. 24, the TPT production will be the New England premiere of the play by Kathleen Clark. The run of the show extends over three weekends ending on Nov. 9.

Heather Dilly, Maura O’Brien and Janet Mitchko star in this humorous, uplifting journey of three multitasking moms as they recapture their spirit, humor and passion when they play in the annual mother vs. son soccer game against their 8-year-olds – and try to win the game.

Mitchko, who is TPT associate artistic director, said she and the other two actresses went to a couple of local games recently where Mitchko could introduce them to this area’s real soccer moms.

“It was a great chance for them to get the feel for what a real soccer mom is,” Mitchko said.

Dilly acted in the original New York production of the play about five years ago when it was known simply as “Soccer Moms.” It has evolved a bit and now has a longer name. Dilley originally played compulsively organized super mom Lynn. The New York Times said Dilly was part of “…a lovely fusion of three excellent actresses” who gave “nuanced performances, diving into the emotional undercurrents of the playwright’s slick style.” Tony award-winning actress Judith Ivey directed that production.

For The Public Theatre, Dilly portrays another of the moms, Alison, who seems to know the rules of the game best. Oddly enough, she is the only one reading ”Soccer for Dummies.”

Mitchko said Dilly is pleased to take on this different role in the show because it allows her to “look at it from another point of view.”

Dilly was last seen at TPT as Kaitlin in the 2003 production of “Gun Shy.”

In “Secrets of a Soccer Mom,” O’Brien plays Lynn. She appeared as Gert in the 1997 production of “Lost in Yonkers.”

Mitchko, veteran director and actress in many TPT productions, plays the wisecracking Nancy.

Schario said parents, male or female, will see themselves on stage and leave the theater feeling a little better than when they arrived. “When you’re a parent, it’s so easy to think that you’re the only one going through the exhaustion, as well as all the wonderful and complicated feelings that come up around being a parent, and it’s heartening to be reminded that you’re not alone,” he said.

Ironically, “Secrets of a Soccer Mom” is all about too-busy mothers, and it’s not easy for them to find a free evening or afternoon to see this show. “We looked at that and said, ‘OK, let’s help you out here,'” Schario said. Thus, a “mommy matinee,” with reduced tickets at $15 was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. That means mothers can drop the kids at school or daycare and come see the show, Schario said. He pointed out that 90 minutes later, they’ll still have time for lunch before turning back into chauffeurs.

The Public Theatre’s set design for “Secrets of a Soccer Mom,” complete with grass, bleachers and SUVs in the background, is designed by Jennifer Madigan. Lighting for the show is by Bart Garvey, and costumes are by Jonna Klaiber.