“A New Home,” an updated version of “Lewiston: A New Home” written 30 years ago for the city’s bicentennial, is a love letter to a city that desperately needs and deserves one; it is a giant, show-stopping marvel of theater told with authenticity and heart. 

From the first downbeat of the massive “pit” orchestra, the true scale of the project is evident — and striking. A 28-piece orchestra is unique, and Colin Britt does an amazing job bringing the beautiful music of the show’s composer and director, Paul Caron, to life. The result is a textured, lovely trip through genres and time periods, from the early 1900s to the advent of rock ‘n’ roll and beyond.

The story, updated by Caron with important elements from Lewiston’s past 30 years and presented by Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre, always has a foot in the past and a foot in the present.

The main narrative consists of an unlikely love blooming between an Irish immigrant, Donovan, played with passion and heart by Justin Morin, and Madeleine, a French immigrant played with real authenticity and affection by Janelle Raven. The love story, which stretches from 1916 to 1965 and beyond, has moments of joy and moments of pain; it feels like the overarching narrative of lives lived and traversed in Lewiston. 

We meet Donovan and Madeleine in a Lewiston firmly rooted in the past: Their first date involves moving through a crowd of revelers and denizens of Lisbon Street in a rousing ensemble number. But the effective technique about the narrative — the thing that really draws important parallels and elevates the show — is how it connects to present-day Lewiston.

As the French and Irish families discuss their differences and the societal problems of being a “New Mainer” in 1916, we are drawn, through very smart writing, to the ever-present plight of New Mainers today. 

The show is exceptional in its detail and historical accuracy about the Francophone experience. There are entire conversations in French on stage often between Guillaume Morin, the patriarch of the French clan with an almost whimsical love for life, played by Roger Philippon, and his wife, Marie Louise Morin, the matriarch of the family, portrayed with real warmth and strength by Bee Tyler.

The narrator, played by Ashleigh St. Pierre, very aptly includes the history of the Wabanaki people, the original inhabitants of Lewiston as the city’s history plays out. 

Raven does an outstanding job playing Madeleine’s character through the years, through motherhood and grandmotherhood. The song “Dancing in Beauty” is an absolute highlight: Raven brings tears as she watches her granddaughter Susan, played by the three extremely talented dancers — Maddie Blaise, Daphne Cifelli and Karianna Merrill — dance as she grows up. The choreography by Lacey Moyse is stunning.

Each member of the 33-person ensemble feels important to the story. Scenes seem truly alive and bustling. And really, there are 34 characters in the musical: The lead character is Lewiston.

Every moment of this remarkable work is centered in Lewiston, bringing up nostalgia, pain, joy and so many emotions in between. From everyday life in the mills and factories, to Peck’s Department Store during Christmastime, Lewiston is rendered with love and tenderness.

For many people, our home towns — Lewiston in this case — are often places where positive, joyous things happen, many wonderful memories are made, many lifelong lessons learned, but this is sometimes forgotten. Particularly in Lewiston’s case. It shouldn’t be.

If you have a child and want to teach them about the history of Lewiston, this show would be a great launching point. 

This reviewer was a little skeptical when tissues were given out before the show, but the loving, haunting, and beautiful tribute to the city and the victims of the mass shooting at the end of the show will render them necessary. 

“A New Home” is a love letter to our city, and a gorgeous, ambitious, and wildly entertaining show that you absolutely should not miss.

Performances continue Nov. 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. All shows are at the Lewiston Middle School Auditorium. For tickets and more information, go to www.laclt.com, call 207-783-0958 or reach the box office by email at [email protected].