THE WIZARD OF OZ, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, & More Make Up Penobscot Theatre's 2014-15 Season

Penobscot Theatre Company, the nation's most Northeastern year-round, professional theatre, proudly announces its 41st Season. The company, which owns and operates the historic Bangor Opera House, will release subscriptions to the general public on May 2.

"We're throwing open the doors for our most dynamic and inspiring lineup yet!" said Artistic Director Bari Newport, who conceived of the season as an adventurous journey. "From Music City to Mandacrest, from the plains of Kansas to the yellow brick roads of Oz, from Sturgeon Bay to suburbia, and finally to Osage County, Oklahoma, we'll be exploring a rich world of laughter, drama, music and dance."

The Honky Tonk Angels by Ted Swindley (September 4-21) features classic country songs as they were meant to be sung in a story of three women chasing their dreams to Nashville and finding friendship along the way. Laura Hodos, last seen in PTC's Always...Patsy Cline (2012), will return for a starring role!

The Mystery of Irma Vep, A Penny Dreadful by Charles Ludlam (October 16-November 2) offers a brilliantly ridiculous mélange of all things theatrical, including vampires, werewolves, mummies and damsels in distress. The inimitable Dominick Varney and Mark Chambers (The Woman in Black) will star in this melodramatic whodunit.

"Continuing our tradition of a family-friendly winter extravaganza," said Newport, "we're thrilled to announce The Wizard of Oz as our special holiday production, running December 4-28 and including the ever popular student matinees. There's no place like home for the holidays!"

Guys on Ice, An Ice Fishing Musical Comedy (January 29-February 15) has played to sold-out audiences from Wisconsin to Oregon, and been featured on a National Public Radio segment, but PTC's production will mark the Maine premiere of this wholly original show. Audiences will spend a day with Marvin and Lloyd, fishing buddies and homegrown philosophers with a mutual appreciation for good bait, cold beer, and the one that got away. The book and lyrics are by Fred Alley and the music by James Kaplan.

End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer (March 12-29) is a heartwarming, quirky comedy that explores the intersection of science and belief. "Laufer is one of the most exciting playwrights of our time," said Newport, "giving us a fresh work that is deeply thought-provoking, uplifting, and laugh-out-loud funny. We are especially proud to produce this Maine premiere in conjunction with the inaugural Maine Science Festival."

August: Osage County by Tracy Letts (April 30-May 17), the 2008 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama, will close the season. This outrageous, startling story about pain, salvation and family dysfunction is perhaps the most unforgettable play of the last decade.

Penobscot Theatre Company's legion of subscribers has expanded dramatically in recent years, largely driven by the attractive benefits of subscription and the various options now offered, said Newport. "Season subscribers receive discounted tickets, their favorite seats on their favorite nights, flexibility, opportunities to see shows again for free and to bring friends who are new to PTC for free, and advance access to special events and programs. Our new three-show snowbird packages have proven very popular for folks who want to escape the cold winter without missing any great theatre while they're home. By investing in the future of our company, our subscribers essentially serve as producers for the next season, supporting the vision and mission of Penobscot Theatre Company."

Current subscribers have until May 1 to guarantee the same great seats enjoyed this season. New subscriptions go on sale May 2. For more information, please call the Box Office at 207-942-3333 or visit PTC online at www.penobscottheatre.org.

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