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Summer is
almost mythical in Maine. Perhaps it
is the sense of rebirth after arduous
winter. Surely it is the breathtaking
coastline, beautiful beaches, pristine
hiking trails, the waterways to sail,
wildlife to observe. But Maine also has a
rich tradition of cultural attractions
– theatres, museums, and literary
sites that bring millions of visitors
annually to enjoy both the outdoors and
indoors – to experience what Mainers
long ago dubbed "Vacationland."
While
Maine does have many prestigious year-round
theatres, the state has enjoyed a long
history of being home to acclaimed summer
theatres, and in recent seasons the wealth
of performance offerings has not only
increased in number, but also in
quality. Maine can proudly say that it
boasts some of the finest regional theatre
companies in the country, and after almost
three agonizingly painful pandemic years,
these companies are re-emerging, bringing
joy and healing.
Of the
many choices, two major professional
theatres with storied histories are true
destinations for travelers as well as
locals.
 
Maine State Music Theatre
in Brunswick, Maine, is a leading regional
Equity company that ranks among the best in the country. This venerable
music theatre's recently opened its 64th season of "bringing Broadway to
Brunswick." The company performs a roster of four main stage shows at
the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus and one co
-production with Portland Stage
in Portland, as well as three children's
shows, three concert stagings, and a host of ancillary events that all add up
to an ambitious and exciting summer experience. Closed down by Covid in
2020 and forced to present a truncated season in 2021, MSMT has come
triumphantly back this June with what they are calling their "Revival
Season" that boasts stunning productions of main stage shows The Sound
of Music, Joseph and the Amazing technicolor Dreamcoat, The Color
Purple, and Kinky Boots. MSMT has an ardently loyal subscriber base and
the company, thanks to the efforts of Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark, has
made itself an intrinsic and beloved part of the entire fabric of the
Midcoast community. Rarely will you find as enthusiastic – and
experienced – audience whose engagement makes the performances all
the more special. And if your travels take you to Brunswick, you will find
scores of other adventures to be had nearby: among them first class
restaurants, the Bowdoin campus with its fine museums, the Bowdoin
International Music Festival, historical and literary tours, and the natural
beauty of the coast within a few short miles.
 
Ogunquit Playhouse
, the second of Maine's highly esteemed summer
theatre destinations, presents its 90th season in 2022 with a lineup of
familiar and new titles, among them The Cher Show, Clue, and world
premieres of The Nutty Professor, Mr. Holland's Opus. Ogunquit
Playhouse has a long and glamorous history as one of the nation's leading
summer stock companies which has drawn top stars to perform. Under the
artistic direction of Bradford Kenney, that tradition of using star
performers continues, but the theatre also has concentrated on building
ernsembles in recent years and has committed itself increasingly to new
work. Housed in the historic barn building that has been renovated and
modernized, a performance at the Playhouse will take you back to a gentler
era. The attractively manicured grounds of the Playhouse are available for
strolling and sipping cocktails, as the sea breeze from the nearby ocean
wafts over you. The town of Ogunquit, itself, is a major tourist destination,
and in summer because of the beaches, the scenic walks like Marginal Way,
the shopping and dining, hotels are overflowing and traffic is dense, so the
town-provided trolley service is the best way to avoid the hassle and sit
back and relax.
Theater at Monmouth
, Maine's professional state Shakespeare
company, offers a thematic roster of classic and contemporary plays in
repertory This year's organizing concept is "It's Greek to Me" with a mix of
classic and contemporary plays, among them, Lysistrata, Anthony and
Cleopatra, Comedy of Errors, and Sarah Ruhl's modern take on Eurydice.
The plays are performed with minimalist scenery, classy costumes, and a
professional resident company in the beautiful Cumston Hall. This Gothic
Revival building with a jewel box Rococo interior is worth a visit in and of
itself, as is the delightfully idyllic setting of this rural village tucked away
just south of Maine's capital, Augusta. Because of its remote setting, visitors
often bring picnics which they enjoy on the lawn before the show.
Penobscot Theatre Company
in Bangor produces several summer
offerings, beginning this summer with the musical Nine to Five. The year
-round company located right in the heart of Maine's second largest city.
Closed during the pandemic, the company availed itself of the opportunity
to make much-needed renovations to their home, which was originally the
Bangor Opera House. Bangor is a city with good restaurants, shopping, a
waterfront walk, and popular sites such as Stephen King's home and the
nearby Bangor Casino.
Among the smaller, non-Equity summer companies, there is newcomer
Isle Theater Company
in Downeast Maine. Founded at the height of the
pandemic by Anna Fitzgerald and Marvin Merritt IV, their goal was to
make safe, accessible theater in a tumultuous time. Presenting a retelling of
Aeschylus' The Suppliants, Do Not Move Stones outdoors at the Settlement
Quarry in Deer Isle, they launched an avant garde company dedicated to
making professional, community-driven work in unconventional spaces.
Lakewood Theater
, a more than century old summer stock company
nestled in Madison in Maine's western mountains, mounts its 122th season
in 2022. This season's roster includes Drinking Habits, Girl on the Train,
Choice, and the musical Drowsy Chaperone. The aura of the place and the
adjoining Lakewood Inn and restaurant recalls the glory days of
"rusticators" spending summers in Maine. Located in the lake region of
Maine, with scenic drives, swimming, hiking, boating, and golf, a visit to
Lakewood offers a relaxing getaway.
Maine is truly a culturally rich state, and live theatre is at the heart of the
performing experience. From its roots in summer stock, Maine's theatre
scene has continued to evolve, gaining a genuine regional identity, and in
the case of its leading players like Maine State Music Theatre and Ogunquit
Playhouse, has won richly deserved national acclaim. So for travelers
seeking a vacation that adds the magic of live performance to other
pleasures, Maine offers an amazing array of opportunities.
And why not combine a performance with a visit to one of the many
museums on Maine's Art Trail or take in the sites associated with famous
literary figures? More suggestions in Parts 2 & 3 of this series.
For more information on these theatres:
MSMT: Tickets: 207-725-8769 or www.msmt.org
Ogunquit: Tickets: 207-646-5511 or www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.
Theater at Monmouth: Tickets: 207-933-9999 www.theateratmonmouth
Isle Theater: www.isletheater.org
Penobscot: Tickets: 207-942-3333 www.penobscittheatre.org
Lakewood: Tickets: 207-474-7176 www.lakewoodtheater.org
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