LOVE/SICK, TIGERS BE STILL & More Set for The Public Theatre's 2013-14 Season

The Public Theatre in Lewiston kicks off its 23rd season with the exciting announcement of being named "BEST THEATRE" in Maine by the 2013 Down East Magazine Readers' Choice poll. In the spirit of this award, The Public Theatre promises their best season yet of Broadway quality productions featuring the finest professional actors from New York to Los Angeles, for a top ticket price of only $20.

The new season will begin with a burst of pre-season excitement on Sept 27, 28 & 29, when the theatre hosts the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Being selected as a venue for the festival is an honor and a delightful tribute to the theatre's history as a movie house. This exciting festival will feature ten short films from around the world seen in one viewing. These films will be shown to audiences at selected venues around the globe during a one week period, and voting ballots from every audience member will be totaled to decide the winner. Finalists from this festival have gone on to win the Oscar in the short film category, so this is a must-see event for all film lovers.

Next up, The Public Theatre's theatrical season officially opens with LOVE/SICK, running Oct 18 - 27. This new un-romantic comedy, written by Maine playwright John Cariani, author of the popular comedy Almost, Maine, revisits the topic of love, asking,"Once you find love, what the heck do you do with it, and how do you make it last?" This series of funny, sweet and sad love stories is the perfect show for imperfect lovers. The Public Theatre is thrilled to be producing and participating in the final development of this new play, and is excited to be collaborating with the playwright during the rehearsal process.

November brings back Robert Dubac, creator of last year's highly popular The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?, with The Book of Moron, playing Nov 8, 9 and 10. In this new show Robert finds himself numb from a lifetime of media consumption, and can no longer remember what he believes in, or if he still has the ability to think for himself. Picking up the big stick of truth, he hilariously beats the hornet's nest of hype and spin, in an attempt to once again see the world with open eyes. Don't miss this provocative and intelligent new comedy that reminds us, "if thinking were easy, everyone would do it".

The holiday season brings the return of The Public Theatre's acclaimed and beloved adaptation of A Christmas Carol, playing Dec 13, 14, and 15th. Created by The Public Theatre, this delightful adaptation has been published and performed by theatres around the world, and has become a Lewiston/Auburn tradition! Featuring six actors and a fiddler, Dickens' language and characters come to life in a way you've never seen before. With family friendly performance times, and The Public Theatre's amazing Youth priced ticket of only $5 for children 18 and younger, this production makes a great gift for the whole family. Banish your humbug and come see this classic story told in a way you've never imagined, and will never forget.

Then, chase away those winter blues and start the new year off with a big smile on your face and a lump in your throat with the hit Off-Broadway comedy Tigers Be Still playing Jan 24 - Feb 2. If the idea of facing a new day has ever sent you back to bed, this quirky, endearing and uplifting Off-Broadway comedy is a heart-felt and hilarious look at how we survive the tough moments in life and help each other get back in the game. Looking to recuperate from some recent hard knocks, two twenty-something sisters return home to live with their mother. Unfortunately, Mom's too embarrassed by her recent weight gain to allow herself to be seen, so they'll have to rely on karaoke, a bottle of scotch, and a DVD of Top Gun for support. Never has heartbreak, unemployment and a few extra pounds been so amusing.

With the beginning of spring comes the recent Broadway hit, Good People, playing March 14 - 23rd. Welcome to South Boston, where this month's paycheck covers last month's bills and a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo. When "mouthy Southie" Margie, loses her job, she turns to an old boyfriend from the neighborhood, now a successful doctor, hoping he'll help her make a fresh start. This humor filled drama from Pulitzer Prize winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, is a wickedly funny, powerful and insightful story of class, luck and the question of whether you can ever leave the old neighborhood behind.

In May, the sound of laughter fills the air in the hilarious comedy Moonlight and Magnolias, playing May 2 - 11. You'll go nuts for this fun, farcical, and somewhat true behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the screenplay of "Gone With the Wind". For five days, three of the most talented men in Hollywood lock themselves in a room with an unlimited supply of peanuts and bananas to create the greatest movie ever made. "Frankly, my dear, this is one funny play."

Season subscriptions are currently on sale. Individual tickets, gift certificates, morning student matinees and group rates (for parties of 10 or more) are available for all productions. For more information and show times visit www.thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200. The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St. in downtown Lewiston.