LEWISTON — Out of the Box Theater Company will produce two original plays written and directed by Maine playwright Linda Britt. “Aiken Pond” and “What If…?” both use wit and snappy dialogue to tackle challenging social issues.

“Aiken Pond” features Cheryl Reynolds as Sarah Weston, a college professor who abruptly quits her job when one of her students commits suicide. Mark Hazard plays her husband Andy, whose patience is tested by Sarah’s insistence that she bears responsibility for the student’s death. Sarah questions her own sanity when the student, Amanda (Maisy Cyr), comes back to haunt her and maybe teach her a lesson. The cast is rounded out by Mary Turcotte, who plays Sarah’s best friend, Barbara, providing tea and a dose of reality.

“What If…?” explores what happens when an after-dinner game gets out of hand for two apparently happily married couples. Cooper Steele (Jason Pelletier) and his wife Hollis (Danielle Eaton) are forced to deal with an indiscretion that both thought was long-buried, while Reed and Kirby Quinn (played by Ryan Adair and Vicki Machado) come to terms with fresher wounds. “What If…?” asks the question no one wants to have to answer: “What would you do if you were threatened with losing what matters most to you?”

The shows will be performed in the Downstage at L/A Arts, 5 Canal Street Alley. Each play will be presented twice each weekend. The dates for “Aiken Pond” are Thursday and Friday, August 1 and 2, and Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11.

Showdates for “What If…?” are Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4, and Thursday and Friday, August 8 and 9.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Both plays contain adult language and content and are not recommended for younger children.

Tickets are $12 and are available by calling 207-782-7228 or online at laarts.org.

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