LEWISTON — Love is often called the universal language, but there can be much miscommunication on the way to finding someone who understands the messages between the lines.

That’s the premise of “The Language Archive,” a wise and whimsical play slated for its New England premiere at The Public Theatre on Jan. 27-Feb. 5.

“We’re thrilled to be one of the first professional theaters in the country to produce this play since its New York debut,” said TPT Artistic Director Christopher Schario.

“At heart,” he said, “it’s a story about people looking for someone who speaks their language.”

The thought-provoking and compassionate new comedy tells the story of George, a brilliant linguist who is unable to find the right words to say to his wife. Meanwhile, at work, he is in danger of losing his chance to record the dying language of Elloway because its last two speakers, an elderly married couple, are in the midst of a fight, and they refuse to speak their native tongue until they resolve their argument.

Dawn McAndrews, who was recently appointed artistic director at The Theater at Monmouth, is director of this production.

McAndrews said the author of “The Language Archive” created a generous layering of reality with a magical world and a language that never existed. The older couple who speak the disappearing language of Elloway provide the necessary contrast to George, who is unable to communicate with his wife, despite his professional expertise in linguistics.

“The play gives us a very bittersweet look at these people,” McAndrews said. “There are constantly doors that are available to us, and the choices made by the characters determine how they learn about themselves.”

“Even the wacky ones tend to live on the side of the positive,” McAndrews said.

Cast members are equity actors James Hoban as George, Janet Mitchko as Mary, Tarah Flanagan as Emma, Andrea Gallo as Alta and Edward Furs as Reston.

Flanagan and Mitchko played multiple roles in TPT’s 2010 production of “Almost, Maine.” Flanagan appeared as Tansy in “The Nerd” a few years ago.

Mitchko, who is TPT associate artistic director, has appeared in many shows throughout the theater’s 21 years in Lewiston. Her roles in “Miss Witherspoon” (2007) and “Enchanted April” (2010) were audience favorites.

Gallo appeared on the TPT stage several months ago in “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

Furs and Hoban are making their first appearances at TPT. Furs has been acting professionally for more than 30 years. Some of his recent TV work includes “Blue Bloods,” as well as all the “Law and Order” shows and “The Sopranos.” He remains active in film, voiceovers, TV and theater.

Hoban is well known to theater patrons of the Portland area. His short film, “Recruiting,” which he wrote, directed and appeared in, was featured in more than 75 film festivals worldwide.

Set design is by Michael Reidy, lighting design by Bart Garvey and costumes by Jonna Klaiber.

Julia Cho, author of “The Language Archive,” won the prestigious 2010 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for this play. Now in its 32nd year, the Blackburn Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding new English-language play by a woman. Cho has twice before been a Blackburn Prize finalist for her plays “The Piano Teacher” and “99 Histories.”

Go and do

WHAT: “The Language Archive”

WHO: The Public Theatre

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, Thursday, Feb. 2, and Friday, Feb. 3; 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4

WHERE: 31 Maple St., Lewiston

TICKETS: $18 for adults, $5 for anyone 18 and younger. Call 782-3200 or visit www.thepublictheatre.org.