Cast members Jack Gobrillot, Elizabeth Downs, Bailey Sechrist, Jen Cart, Meg Matheson, Lucy Poland, and Anna Doyle rehearse a scene from Gaslight Theater’s production of William Inge’s “Picnic: A Summer Romance.”

HALLOWELL — Gaslight Theater will present Director Ellen Clair Lamb and a cast with both new and familiar faces in William Inge’s “Picnic: A Summer Romance.” Production dates remaining are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24, 29, 30, and 31; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.

The story takes place on Labor Day Weekend in the joint backyards of two middle-aged widows. The one house belongs to Flo Owens (Lucy Hunter Poland), who lives there with her two maturing daughters, Madge (Anna Doyle) and Millie (Bailey Sechrist), and a boarder, Rosemary (Jen Cart), and a spinster school teacher whose only social life appears to be spending time with her colleagues Irma and Christine (Margaret Matheson and Kathleen Cassidy Reardon).

The other house belongs to Helen Potts (Elizabeth Downs), who lives with her elderly and invalid mother. A neighborhood paperboy, Bomber (Tobey Johnson) has a crush on Madge and clumsily tries to get her attention.

Into this atmosphere comes a young man named Hal Carter (Jordan Lorenz), whose youth and vitality seriously upset the balance.

Flo is sensitively wary of temptations for her daughters. Madge sacrifices her chances for a wealthy marriage to Alan (Jack Gobillot) for the excitement Hal promises. Her sister Millie finds her balance for the first time through the stranger’s brief attention. And the spinster is stirred to make an issue out of the dangling courtship with Howard (Peter Carriveau).

All performances are at Hallowell City Hall Auditorium, One Winthrop Street. Tickets are $12, with a reduced rate of $10 for seniors 60 and over, and students with ID. Make reservations by calling 207-626-3698 or using the online form. The auditorium is accessible by elevator.

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