Theater At Monmouth Shares 50th Anniversary Season

This summer, take a break from the hustle and bustle and journey to the lakes region of Central Maine to celebrate Theater at Monmouth's 50 years of producing classic theatre in Maine. TAM's What Dreams May Come Season is bursting with plays to make audiences laugh, cry, gasp, and experience a sense of wonder. Through Shakespearean thrillers, contemporary romances, and classic comedies, TAM's Golden Anniversary with sparkle and shimmer all season long.

The 2019 Summer Repertory includes Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor directed by Catherine Weidner and Hamlet directed by Dawn McAndrews; Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's Murder for Two directed by Adam P. Blais; Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery directed by Matthew Arbour; and Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel directed by Josiah Davis. The Family Show is The Jungle Book adapted by Greg Banks and directed by Dawn McAndrews. For the Fall Show, opening September 13, TAM presents Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility adapted and directed by Dawn McAndrews.

"It's been my personal mission to foster a more diverse, more inclusive, more welcoming environment for audiences and artists alike," says producing artistic director Dawn McAndrews, "to educate young minds, engage patrons with new and differing points of view, and to program seasons that represent a range of perspectives, beliefs, and circumstances."

SUMMER REPERTORY SEASON

Performances take place in Cumston Hall, a 250-seat Victorian opera house designed by Harry Cochrane. Since its founding TAM has rehearsed and performed in rotating repertory, inviting audiences to see the actors in different roles in different shows in one weekend. Each of this season's seven productions features artists "From Away" and "Made in Maine" both newcomers and TAM favorites including Mark S. Cartier, James Noel Hoban, and Bill Van Horn.

Murder for Two | June 22 - August 16

book and music by Joe Kinosian & book and lyrics by Kellen Blair | directed by Adam P. Blais

Everyone is a suspect in Murder for Two, a hilarious musical murder mystery with a twist: One actor investigates the crime. The other plays all of the suspects. And they both play the piano! A zany blend of musical comedy and madcap mystery, this fast and funny whodunit is a highly theatrical duet loaded with killer laughs. The perfect blend of music, mayhem, and murder!

Adam P. Blais has been directing musicals and plays throughout Maine since receiving his BA in Theatre from the University of Maine. He's been involved with TAM's Fall Musical since 2013 choreographing productions of Of Thee I Sing, Patience, The Sorcerer, and Ruddigore. He's worked at The Public Theatre, Shakespeare & Company, and Waterville Opera House, among others. During the day, Adam is the Drama Director at Mt. Ararat High School and Middle School.

Merry Wives of Windsor | July 4 - August 18

by William Shakespeare | directed by Catherine Weidner

In Shakespeare's only domestic comedy, laughter reigns and feminine wisdom triumphs over jealous husbands, confused lovers, and one corpulent knight. Sir John Falstaff needs money. Instead of searching for work, he plots to woo not one, but two wealthy women. Complications abound as the two women teach Falstaff a loving lesson with manipulative messengers, secret scandals, and a flurry of forgiveness.

Catherine Weidner is Chair of the Theater Department at Ithaca College. She appeared in A Streetcar Named Desire at The Kennedy Center, Mary Stuart and Blithe Spirit at CenterStage, and has worked at Guthrie Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and La Jolla Playhouse. Directing credits include: Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, Measure for Measure, Waiting for Godot, Caligula, Otherwise Engaged, Animal Farm, Reckless, Cloud 9, The Visit, and Ubu.

Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery | July 11 - August 15

by Ken Ludwig | directed by Matthew Arbour

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must solve the mystery before the Baskerville family curse dooms its next heir. Watch as the intrepid investigators escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, and disguises as five actors deftly portray more than 40 characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from "elementary" the truth can be.

Matthew Arbour returns to TAM where he previously directed The Illusion, Barber of Seville, The Real Inspector Hound, Romeo and Juliet, and Tartuffe. Regional credits include Pioneer Theater Company, Two River Theater, PlayMakers Repertory, Chautauqua Theater Company, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Portland Stage Company, and Penobscot Theatre Company. Matthew was Co-Artistic Director of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company, and resident dramaturg and literary manager at Portland Stage Company.

Hamlet | July 18 - August 17

by William Shakespeare | directed by Dawn McAndrews

In the wake of his father's abrupt death, Hamlet returns home to find his personal and political world turned upside down-his mother remarried, his uncle on the throne, and a world seemingly gone insane. When his father's ghost appears and demands vengeance, the desperate Danish prince must decide: submit or resist. Accept or avenge. Live or die.

Dawn McAndrews has worked at theatres across the country including Shakespeare Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage, Portland Stage Company, and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. Directing credits: The Pajama Game (UMO); Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Colby); The Language Archive (Public Theatre); Richard III, The Winter's Tale, Peter & the Starcatcher, The Mousetrap, Of Thee I Sing (TAM); The Glass Menagerie, Holiday, and Three Days of Rain (1st Stage); Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice, Timberlake Wertenbaker's Antigone, as well as adapting and directing A Christmas Carol at Portland Stage.

Intimate Apparel | July 25 - August 16

by Lynn Nottage | directed by Josiah Davis

In 1905, an African American seamstress supports herself by creating exquisite lingerie for wealthy clients. When a letter arrives from a stranger, it awakens a desire within her that leads to the love that she's yearned for, but is nothing like she expected. This historical romance by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage creates a portrait of a young woman's determination and the true meaning of intimacy.

Josiah Davis is a recent graduate from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television pursuing an MFA at Brown/Trinity Rep. A member of the On the Verge Theatre Company in Santa Barbara, he was nominated by Broadway World for his direction of Sweet Child by Roxie Perkins, From White Plains by Michael Perlman, and his role of Joseph in Darlene Craviotto's Footprints at Laetoli. He has appeared on Glee (Fox), Idiotsitter, (Comedy Central), Killer Kids (Lifetime), and several Buzzfeed videos.

FAMILY SHOW

Each summer, TAM presents a play for families adapted from classic literature. Due to the popularity of these productions, the Family Show now opens in late June and runs throughout the season.

The Jungle Book | June 29 - August 15

adapted by Greg Banks | directed by Dawn McAndrews

Follow the rambunctious and curious man cub Mowgli and his adopted jungle family: Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the panther, and all the beasts who call the mysterious wilderness home. This fast-paced retelling keeps audiences on the edge of their seats as Mowgli tries to escape the clutches of Shere Kahn and find the true meaning of home.

FALL SHOW

TAM presents a world premier adaptation of a classic Jane Austen for the 2019 Fall Show.

Sense and Sensibility | September 12-22

adapted & directed by Dawn McAndrews

Reason and passion collide in Jane Austen's beloved tale of sisterhood and romance. Marianne and Elinor Dashwood could not be more different. Marianne is exuberant, impetuous, and recklessly romantic. Elinor is practical, thoughtful, and confoundingly reserved. Through a series of romantic misadventures the girls come to realize that the key to happiness may not lie in fiery passion or strict reason-but somewhere in between.

A TAM subscription offers savings and exclusive benefits like priority seating and ticket exchanges. Gold, Flex, General, or Senior Passes are available for purchase, so whether you want a ticket for each show or five tickets to one show, there's an option for you. Single tickets for the Summer Repertory and Fall Play are $34 for adults, $29 for senior citizens, and $20 for students (18 and under). Family Show tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children.

Opening Nights are Educator Nights. Educators receive 20% off tickets with a photo ID at the Box Office.

Under 30 Rush Tickets: For patrons under 30, twenty $10 Rush Tickets are available at each performance in the season. Sign up by contacting the Box Office, either by emailing boxoffice@theateratmonmouth.org or calling 207.933.999 the morning of the performance. Tickets can be picked up 30 minutes before curtain.

To reserve single tickets, subscriptions, or arrange group sales, please visit www.theateratmonmouth.org or call the box office at 207.933.9999.

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