Tickets for ELF THE MUSICAL And THE SANTALAND DIARIES On Sale 10/1

Previously available to subscribers only, tickets to Penobscot Theatre Company's two holiday shows will go on sale to the general public on Monday, October 1. The Maine premiere of Elf the Musical will play at the Bangor Opera House December 6 - 30 and The Santaland Diaries will be produced down the street from the Opera House in Penobscot Theatre Company's 51 Main Street space from December 13 - 30.

"Sold out performances are expected for both shows, so we urge patrons to book their tickets soon," says Producing Artistic Director, Bari Newport.

Director/Choreographer Ethan Paulini (The Full Monty, Disney's Beauty and the Beast) returns to Penobscot Theatre Company to stage the Maine premiere of this imaginative musical. Ethan has a long history with the production. He played Buddy the Elf in the regional premiere of the musical at Arkansas Repertory Theatre in 2014. On why the 2003 film Elf has become a contemporary holiday classic, Paulini says, "Every generation seems to have a classic Christmas film. Films like It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story and now Elf. I think Elf came out at a time when people wanted to laugh. The idea of family and togetherness is a common theme for the holiday season, but I think that combined with the out and out, over-the-top comedy of Elf really resonated with audiences. Laughing makes people feel good and people want to feel good at Christmas."Improv Acadia's Larrance Fingerhut (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lumberjacks in Love) music directs this family-friendly musical feast. As Buddy the Elf, Ira Kramer (The Spitfire Grill, Beauty and the Beast) will bring to life the lovably quirky character which SNL alum Will Ferrell is known for.

Paulini says, "Buddy isn't dumb or slow or dim-witted. He's just the product of different circumstances. He hasn't had the experiences a typical 30-year-old man has had. He takes things at face value, which is part of his charm but also the potential for people to misunderstand him." Grace Livingston Kramer (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Full Monty), real-life wife to Ira Kramer's, co-stars as Buddy's cynical-at-first girlfriend, Jovie. The cast of twenty also includes Brianne Beck (The Spitfire Grill, Disney's Beauty and the Beast) as Emily Hobbs, step-mom to Buddy and Orono High School's Nathan Manaker (Our Town, A Christmas Story) as Buddy's young brother, Michael Hobbs.

Other familiar faces include AJ Mooney (The Graduate, The Full Monty), Jen Shepard (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Hair Frenzy), Arthur Morison (The Graduate, Disney's Beauty and the Beast), Birdie Sawyer (The Full Monty, Rock of Ages), Alekzander Sayers (The Graduate, Disney's Beauty and the Beast), Michelle Weatherbee (Shear Madness, Disney's Beauty and the Beast), Molly Elizabeth Hagerty (Oliver, The Wizard of Oz), Robert Brangwynne (It's a Wonderful Life) and Ben Layman (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Full Monty) as Santa Clause. Mount Desert Island's Frank Bachman will make his Penobscot Theatre Company debut. As elves, Mara Geaghan (Bangor) Maia Johnson (Hampden), Kai Grosjean (Bangor), Stella Burns (Bangor), Cuthbert Steadman (Bangor) and Joey Rutledge (Bangor) fill out the ensemble. The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris has Dominick Varney (Shear Madness, Disney's Beauty and the Beast) reprising the role of Crumpet, a disgruntled department store elf In this one-man tour de force Varney will play over 40 ridiculous characters throughout the course of the evening in Penobscot Theatre Company's intimate (60-seat) setting.

"We are delighted to fill your holiday stocking with this wry and witty look at retail purgatory," said Newport. Recommended for "Mature Elves Only!" Penobscot Theatre Company's production of Elf the Musical is being sponsored by Maine Savings FCU (Lead Sponsor), Dead River Company, Bangor International Airport, Vance Gray Wealth Management and Dunkin' Donuts (Special Holiday Sponsor).

Tickets range in price from $20-$39. Discounts available for groups (8+) .Subscribers receive a $5 discount on all tickets purchased - there is still time to subscribe! Tickets for both shows are available online at www.penobscottheatre.org, by phone (207-942-3333) or in person at 131 Main Street, Bangor. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, noon to 5:00 pm, and up to three hours before performance times when shows are running. See you at the theatre!

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