The wait is finally over! Penobscot Theatre Company is THRILLED to announce our 52nd season! Filled with stories of everyday people in extraordinary stories, your 2025-2026 season is a spectacular lineup of live theatre that’s sure to thrill, warm your heart, and make you laugh out loud!
Escape to familiar stories you love or venture into a new world with a story you haven’t experienced yet! Take a look at the shows coming to the Bangor Opera House next year, and then don’t forget to Subscribe and save!
Season 52 Mainstage Shows
Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling, September 4th to 28th, At Truvy’s Salon there are a few guarantees: First, you’ll have a fantastic day of beauty. Second, you’ll catch up on all the hot gossip and third, you’ll never cry alone. 6 women in Chinquapin, Louisiana find laughter, community and strength as they navigate the joys and challenges of life including a wedding, a pregnancy, an illness and a loss. These 6 remarkable women hold one another up in a play that celebrates the power of community. A beloved classic returns to the PTC stage in a stunning new production.
The Turn of the Screw, Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, October 16th to November 2, A classic of gothic horror. In the late 1800’s a young woman arrives at a remote English manor house to serve as governess to two orphaned children. Perplexed by the behavior of the children, the governess begins to unravel the unseemly mystery of the previous governess, a former valet, and the possibility that the children are haunted by their ghosts. A spine tingling thriller that will leave you grasping for answers and questioning what you know to be real in an adaptation that is an imaginative tour de force for the two actors.
Almost, Maine, by John Cariani, January 29th to February 22nd, In an almost town that is so far north in Maine that it’s almost Canada, we discover a community that is almost getting through the winter. On a cold, clear night filled with stars, we see nine stories where connections are forged and split, where hearts are bound and broken, and where magic appears along with the northern lights. John Cariani’s beloved Maine masterpiece is back on our stage after nearly 20 years, reminding us all of the power of love and the importance of belief.
Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars, by John Cariani, February 18th to March 8th, In a town that is not quite Almost, Maine a younger generation of lovers and dreamers wrestle with their relationships, their identities, and the day to day challenges of living. On a warm summer night where the Perseid meteor shower fills the dark sky with shooting stars and possibility, these young people connect and collide, asking big questions and seeking out answers in a quest to be seen for who they are. In a companion piece to his hit Almost, Maine, Playwright John Cariani gives a heartfelt, honest voice to this next generation of Northern Mainers.
For the first time ever, John Cariani’s two companion pieces can be seen together in one incredible experience. Cariani’s beloved Maine Masterpiece ALMOST, MAINE (which has been produced nearly 6,000 times to date) is seen alongside his newest play DARKER THE NIGHT. Both plays are set in the same fictionalized Northern Maine town and introduce the audience to a collection of interconnected characters and stories. While ALMOST, MAINE has a more distinct Fairy Tale approach to finding love and connection, DARKER THE NIGHT deals more realistically with a younger generation struggling to connect. Together, they form a beautiful and nuanced portrait of life in Northern Maine. You won’t want to miss this incredible opportunity to see both plays, together in a truly magical Maine experience.
The Garbologists, by Lindsay Joelle, April 23rd to May 10th, So much of who we are can be discovered in what we throw away, and no one knows that better than a city sanitation worker. Danny, gruff and opinionated, is tasked with showing the ropes to his new highly educated but inexperienced partner Marlowe. The two could not be more different and naturally sparks fly in both hilarious and harrowing ways as they work their route. Two essential workers from opposite worlds discover there’s more that binds them together than the shared task of taking out the trash.
Add-On Shows
Cinderella by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, December 4th to 28th, The timeless enchantment of this classic fairytale comes to life just in time for the holidays. In a far off kingdom, a young girl, Cinderella, is made to serve her wicked stepmother and her cruel stepsisters. Despite her situation, Cinderella remains kind and good and hopeful that a wish might be granted and that her life might be transformed. Will she make it to the Ball to meet the Prince? It’s possible! Kings and Queens, Princes and Fairy Godmothers, mice and magic all come together to tell this heartwarming tale, with extraordinary songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein and all of the hopeful magic you need for the holiday season.
Another Kick in Your Dickens, December 3rd to 21st, Another Kick in Your Dickens is back! Get your tickets for this irreverent, hilarious, and completely improvised version of the Holiday Classics A Christmas Carol. From the co-founders of ImprovAcadia and the creators of A Kick in Your Derry’ere! Seating is limited. Get your tickets today!
Surprise Summer Show! June 4th to July 12th, Our final production of the season, our summer 2026 musical is still a secret! We CAN tell you this musical experience is filled with unforgettable songs, dazzling performances, and a story that will rock you off your feet. Stay tuned!
Subscriber today, call the PTC Box Office at 207-942-3333 or visit the website: http://www.penobscottheatre.org