BRUNSWICK — For many years, winter at The Theater Project has meant one show performed by its professional ensemble acting company. This year, the theater will stage two productions, offered on alternate nights over four weekends in January and February.

“The Theater Project used to do a repertory setup, back in the summers during the 1980s and ’90s,” said Executive Director Wendy Poole. “It’s an exciting way for the theater to work, and we think it’s exciting for our audiences, to be able to come back the next night and see a completely different production.”

The opening production is “La Fille at Tess’ Market,” an original musical by Al Miller, Theater Project founder and artistic director. A longtime resident of Brunswick, La Fille was usually found collecting bottles and cans around town. “As I got to know La Fille a little, I realized how little we know about people, any people, if we don’t take time with them,” said Miller, who decided to write a play with La Fille as the main character and Brunswick as the setting.

The end result is a fantasy, not a realistic historical play, as La Fille and her silent companion, Dancer, travel through time and space, going back to the late 1800s and the mid-1950s in Brunswick. They visit the Cabot Mill and the Franco-American community when the mill was active, wander in Merrymeeting Park over 100 years ago and go to St. John’s Bazaar in the past and present.

“La Fille at Tess’ Market” will be be directed by Al Miller, with original music by Jim Hall.

The second production is a remount of “Wonder of the World,” last seen at The Theater Project in July of 2009. An irreverent, adults-only comedy by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Wonder of the World” follows the impulsive but endearing Cass as she makes a shocking discovery about her husband, runs off to Niagara Falls, befriends a suicidal drunk and generally decides to start doing all the things she’s never been able to do before.

On the way, she encounters a lonely tour-boat captain, a pair of bickering private detectives and a strange caper involving a gargantuan jar of peanut butter, all of which pushes her perilously close to the water’s edge.

“Next year, we’re planning to add a third show, our infamous ‘Winter Cabaret,’ into the mix, for even more laughs,” said Poole.
“La Fille at Tess’ Market” and “Wonder of the World” will be presented from Jan. 22 to Feb. 14.

For a full schedule of performances, visit www.theaterproject.com. All tickets are pay what you want with a suggested price of $18. Tickets are available online or by calling 729-8584. The Theater Project is at 14 School St.