News

Set your compass to The Public Theatre!

February 25, 2010

This spring The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn’s Professional Theatre turns up the heat with their compelling and powerful production of Magnetic North, playing March 19 - 28th. Told with startling honesty, intelligence and humor, Magnetic North explores the faith in faithfulness and the fine line between flirtation and betrayal when a husband stumbles upon the email address of a former girlfriend and is pulled towards the past.

Winner of the 2006 Clauder Competition for New England Playwrights, Magnetic North is an intelligent, sexy and thought provoking new play that director, Christopher Schario believes many patrons will easily identify with. “Most of us have experienced a ‘what if, if only’ moment in our lives, and this play looks at the complexity of human relationships with great compassion, humor and honestly”, says Schario. To quote from the play, “We’re all curious from birth. Collecting things we shouldn’t collect. Touching what we shouldn’t. It fuels us. We’re drawn to it.” Schario believes that this magnetic pull is both a thrilling and terrifying thing, and that playwright William Donnelly has created the perfect combination of poignant drama and laugh-out-loud humor that most people will be able to relate to.

Starring as James, the husband pulled between his present and his past, will be NY actor, director and acclaimed acting teacher David Newer. David is a teacher at the famous William Esper Studios in New York, as well as an accomplished actor who has appeared Off-Broadway, on television (Law and Order), and previously onstage at The Public Theatre in Dinner With Friends and Rounding Third. Portraying his wife Leigh will be Janet Mitchko, a familiar face to TPT audiences. Having previously directed David in Dinner with Friends, they are looking forward to working together again in this new relationship. Playing Mara, the beautiful woman from his past, will be New York actress Natalie Saibel. Natalie most recently appeared with the American Repertory Theatre in Boston and is looking forward to returning to New England. Also a new face onstage at TPT will be New York actor Nathan Darrow in the role of the entertaining sidekick Emmett.

The set design for Magnetic North will be designed by Michael Reidy, the lights by Bart Garvey, and the costumes by Jonna Klaiber. Follow your compass to The Public Theatre for this magnetic gem.

Magnetic North will be performed at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn’s Professional Theatre, March 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28. Performance times are Thurs at 7pm, Fri and Sat at 8pm and Sun at 2pm. Adults $18, Sr/Stu $16, Group Rate (10+) $15. For tickets call The Public Theatre Box Office at 782-3200. The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St. in Lewiston.