shows

  • 2022Season,  shows

    The Stranger by Agatha Christie

    This November Gaslight Theater proudly presents “The Stranger” by Agatha Christie at Hallowell City Hall Auditorium located at 1 Winthrop Street in Hallowell. Theater patrons can choose from six performance dates over two weekends, including Sunday matinees, November 11, 12 & 13 and 18, 19 & 20. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinee performances start at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and Seniors, cash, check and credit card accepted at the door.

    Directed by Linda Duarte, “The Stranger”is an adaptation by Agatha Christie, of her short story Philomel Cottage. The play centers around Enid Bradshaw, who breaks her seven-year engagement to Dick Lane in favor of marrying the charming Gerald Strange, whom she had known for a mere afternoon. The two move to a cottage in the country in Act Two, and it is then that we get a sense of Gerald’s true character. Things are not always what they seem, of course, and a well-placed red herring plus Enid’s fascination with Scheherazade and “One Thousand and One Nights’ add key elements to the plot.

    Gerald is played by Matthew McLaughlin of Portland, a new actor at Gaslight Theater, and Enid is portrayed by Gwenyth Fraser of Brunswick, who has been seen on our stage several times previously. Andrew Lamb of Augusta, also new to Gaslight Theater, provides some surprises as Dick, and Wendi Richards of Fairfield adds her charm as Enid’s friend Doris. The two housekeepers, offering up very different personalities, are played by Marcia Gallagher of Hallowell, a previous music director at Gaslight, and Jeanne Curtin of West Gardiner, also a first timer with Gaslight Theater.  “The Stranger” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

    The Cast

    What: Gaslight Theater presents Agatha Christie’s “The Stranger”

    Where: Hallowell City Hall, 1 Winthrop Street, Hallowell.
    The Auditorium is located on the 2nd floor and is handicapped accessible by elevator.

    When:  Friday & Saturday, November 11 and 12 at 7:30pm

                Sunday Matinee, November 13 at 2:00pm

                Friday & Saturday, November 18 and 19 at 7:30pm

                Sunday Matinee, November 20 at 2:00pm

    Cost: Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and Seniors,
    cash, check and credit card accepted at the door.

  • 2022Season,  shows

    The Whales of August

    A dinner party at a rehearsal of Gaslight Theater’s “The Whales of August”
Pictured left to right are cast members Margaret Matheson (as Sarah), William Haley (as Mr.
Maranov) and Linda Duarte (as Libby).
Photo credit: Joseph Maranda
    A dinner party at a rehearsal of Gaslight Theater’s “The Whales of August”
    Pictured left to right are cast members Margaret Matheson (as Sarah), William Haley (as Mr.
    Maranov) and Linda Duarte (as Libby).
    Photo credit: Joseph Maranda

    “The Whales of August” is wistful and autumnal in mood… and filled with the bittersweet recognition that life, despite the alterations of time, must continue as best it can. This show is perfect for the end of summer and a recollection that no matter how old you are it is never too late to live.

    “The Whales of August” by Dave Berry is set at a beach house on an island off the coast of Maine where two widowed sisters have been summering for many years. The sisters, played by Margaret Matheson and Linda Duarte, are joined by an old friend, the island handyman, and an old rogue who may or may not be deposed royalty, played by Lisa Copenhaver, Gregor Smith, and William Haley.

    This summer Gaslight Theater proudly presents six performances of “The Whales of August” directed by Rebecca Singer and Joseph Maranda.

    The show will be presented over two weekends Friday and Saturday, August 26, 27 and September 2 and 3 at 7:30pm with Sunday matinee performances on August 28 and September 3 at 2:00pm.

    If you go:

    What: Gaslight Theater presents “The Whales of August

    Cost: $15.00 for adults and $13.00 for seniors and students

    Call 207-626-3698 for reservations, or just walk in

    Where and When:

    Friday and Saturday August 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM, Sunday August 28 at 2:00pm
    Friday and Saturday September 2 and 3 at 7:30 PM, Sunday September 4 at 2:00pm

    Hallowell City Hall
    1 Winthrop St, Hallowell

    Founded in 1937 as the Augusta Players, and since doing business as Gaslight Theater, we are the oldest continuously operating community theater in Maine. Productions have taken place in Hallowell City Hall since the late 1970s (until COVID intervened). We hope to return to our regular schedule in 2023 which is normally four shows a year, usually in late winter, early summer, late summer, and the fall, featuring a balance among musicals, mysteries, comedies, classics and new or experimental plays. For each show, we have at least six performances over two weekends, including Sunday matinees.

  • 2022Season,  shows

    I Hate Shakespeare

    Dueling Juliets
    Dueling Juliets at a recent rehearsal of Gaslight Theater’s “I Hate Shakespeare”. Pictured left to right are cast members Kathleen Leopold, Cody Alexander Curtis, Desi-Rae Mason (as Juliet), Tony Vazquez, Eleanor Maranda (also as Juliet), Gregor Smith, Donna Loveland and Joe Maranda. Photo credit: Richard Bostwick

    We hate Shakespeare! At least that’s what the audience thinks until they get a rip-roaring rundown of Shakespeare’s classics. With zombies, talking cows, and an appearance by Jerry Springer, I Hate Shakespeare! is a hilarious and fast-paced introduction to Shakespeare — with a modern twist.

    Plus, someone gets a pie in the face.

    I Hate Shakespeare” by Steph DeFerie is a comedy presenting Shakespearean vignettes from a modern (and sometimes silly) point of view. This summer Gaslight Theater proudly presents six performances of  “I Hate Shakespeare” directed by Margaret Matheson assisted by Richard Bostwick. 

    The second weekend in July the Augusta Downtown Alliance will sponsor three performances of Gaslight Theater production of “I Hate Shakespeare” at Waterfront Park in Augusta, Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9 at 6:00 PM and a matinee performance on Sunday, July 10 at 2:00 PM.

    The following week, during Old Hallowell Day weekend, Vaughan Historic Homestead will be hosting shows on Friday and Saturday, July 15 and 16 at 6:00 PM and a matinee performance on Sunday, July 17 at 2:00 PM. Parking at Vaughan Homestead is strictly limited to showtimes only. 

    Choose your date and venue and bring a chair, blanket or maybe even a snack and make it an event!  For more information call 207-626-3698. Donations will be accepted at the show or anytime online to support the nonprofit Gaslight Theater. 

    If you go:

    What: Gaslight Theater presents “I Hate Shakespeare

    Cost: Free with donations accepted.

    When and where in Augusta:

    Friday and Saturday July 8 and 9 at 6:00 PM, Sunday July 10 at 2:00pm

    Waterfront Park in Downtown Augusta
    Front St, Augusta, ME 04330

    When and where in Hallowell:

    Friday and Saturday July 15 and 16* at 6:00 PM, Sunday July 17 at 2:00 PM

    Vaughan Historic Homestead Outdoor Pavilion
    2 Litchfield Rd, Hallowell

    * The Saturday show is on Old Hallowell Day. Parking at Vaughan Homestead is strictly limited to the duration of the show only.

    This is an outdoor event. However, to ensure the health and safety of our audience and performers, we are asking everyone in attendance to wear a mask if they are not current on their vaccinations. The actors will not be masked when onstage during performances. These are difficult times, and we ask that everyone remain considerate and respectful of others.

    Founded in 1937 as the Augusta Players, and since doing business as Gaslight Theater, we are the oldest continuously operating community theater in Maine. Productions have taken place in Hallowell City Hall since the late 1970s (until COVID intervened). We hope to return to our regular schedule in 2023 which is normally four shows a year, usually in late winter, early summer, late summer, and the fall, featuring a balance among musicals, mysteries, comedies, classics and new or experimental plays. For each show, we have at least six performances over two weekends, including Sunday matinees.

  • 2021Season,  shows,  Uncategorized

    Save the Dates

    August 20, 21, and 22 for

    A Review of Old Time Radio

    This play showcases radio comedies, dramas, and songs that were popular on radio in the 1930’s. 1940’s and 1950’s. The show will be presented August 20, 21 and 22.

    As our normal theater is still unavailable, the play will be presented at:

    Vaughan Homestead Pavilion
    2 Litchfield Rd, Hallowell

    More details to follow.

  • 2021Season,  shows

    Upcoming 2021 Season

    Prose, Roses, and Woes

    After much deliberation and soul searching, we have elected to postpone these performances from our original Valentines weekend date. We will reschedule when more vaccines has been administered and we are confident new cases are moving in the right direction. 

    POSTPONED

    Hallowell’s Gaslight Theater is planning an outdoor themed poetry event in downtown Hallowell for a TO BE DETERMINED weekend.

    This outdoor walking tour featuring live poetry readings, will take place on a future date TO BE DETERMINED at up to 6 locations in downtown Hallowell.

    Small audience groups will be revolved among all the venues, while adhering to social distancing and masking protocols to keep everyone safe.

    We have three ways you can participate, as a poet, as a reader or as part of the audience.

    Poets

    Submit a poem for us to consider, dealing with any aspect of  the theme of “love”: true love, new love, old love, or even lost love. It should be your own original work. We are not looking for an epic work but an original poem you would agree to have read by an actor or you can audition to read it yourself.  Our esteemed selection committee will choose favorites for the event.

    We will accept new submissions once we have a date specified.

    Readers

    You can audition to read poems at the event. Readers and audience at each outdoor venue will be socially distanced and we will not be using microphones so a good strong voice and the ability to project is required.

    We will accept new submissions once we have a date specified.

    Audience

    Reservations will be opened when we have a new date.

    Stay tuned for More Info

    Our home venue, Hallowell City Hall, is still not available at this time. It is not yet known when it may be. Social distancing for the safety of our cast, crew, and patrons is a priority and will reduce the size of audiences and will guide us as we look forward to presenting and acting again.

    207-626-3698
    Gaslighttheater@Gaslighttheater.org

  • shows

    Current Season 2020

    This is our Mid-year Update

    After we cut the run of “Last Gas’ short early on in the year, the path of the pandemic remained unknown and we had been waiting for some idea of what the future possibilities are. We still don’t know what the future looks like.

    We have postponed our entire 2020 season and will be moving “The Whales of August” and “Almost Maine” to the second half of next year.

    Between now and then, we are looking at some plays with a single actor and a small tech crew.

    Stay tuned.

    We are also looking at reader’s theater. Our home venue, Hallowell City Hall, is not available at this time. It is not yet known when it may be. Social distancing for the safety of our cast, crew, and patrons is a priority and will reduce the size of audiences and will guide us as we look forward to presenting and acting again.

    Fear not, we will return because.

    We Miss You.

    We Miss working the Boards.

    We Miss the Social fun that is Theater.

    207-626-3698
    gaslighttheater@yahoo.com

    Whales of August by David Berry – Postponed until 2021 season.
    Almost Maine By John Cariani – Postponed until 2021 season.

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  • 2020Season,  shows

    Last Gas

    SYNOPSIS
    “Last Gas” is the land of last chances. It takes place in very Northern Maine at “Paradis’ Last Convenience Store. Last Gas, Last Food, Last Phone for Forty One Miles”. GAS is a gently unpredictable love story, with a quiet tension under the surface.

    Cariani says “This play is not about the Red Sox. It’s about the quiet things that kill people, the internal what-ifs that we all experience, and the everyday choices that we make without thinking about the consequences that reach far beyond our imaginations or expectations.”

    Nat Paradis is a Red Sox-loving part-time dad who manages Paradis’ Last Convenient Store, the last convenient place to get gas—or anything—before the Canadian border to the north and the North Maine Woods to the west.

    When an old flame returns to town, Nat gets a chance to rekindle a romance he gave up on years ago. But sparks fly as he’s forced to choose between new love and old. LAST GAS takes a hilarious and heartbreakingly hard look at love lost and found, and at what it means to “get back to happy.”

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    John Cariani is an American playwright, best known for his first play, Almost, Maine, which premiered at the Portland Stage Company in 2004. It has become one of the most frequently produced plays in the world.

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  • shows

    Marriage is Murder, by Nick Hall

    Gaslight Theater, Hallowell, Maine
    2018 Season, August 24, 25, 26  & 31, Sept 1 and 2

    Full Length Play, Comedy
    cast: one woman, one man

    Ex-spouses Paul and Polly Butler write murder mysteries together. They act out the crimes in Paul’s apartment: poisoned chocolates and lethal martinis, alibis and fingerprints, bodies in a trunk and bodies all tied up, daggers, guns and even an axe all contribute to the hilarity. Nobody gets hurt, but their egos take some hits as they find that their marriage was mixed up with their work. There are many fast paced comic twists as they attempt to outdo and surprise each other and they learn that marriage, like murder, is in the details. The final witty complication is a real murder which they and the audience should have seen coming. This murderously funny two character comedy is by the author of Accommodations.

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  • shows

    Not about Nightingales by Tennessee Williams

    Gaslight Theater, Hallowell, Maine
    2018 Season, October 19, 20, 21,  26, 27, 28

    An early work by the revered playwright that caused a sensation in Houston, New York, and London. This is a raw, sprawling dramatization of real events at a Philadelphia prison in 1937. Convicts who led a hunger strike to protest conditions were locked in a scalding cell where four of them died. The sympathetic treatment of blacks and homosexuals was revolutionary for the time of the premiere and may explain why the play remained unproduced for sixty years.

    NOMINEE! 1999 Tony Award for Best Play

    PAST REVIEWS

    “Enthralling…A feverish, full strength compassion for people in cages makes Nightingales fly toward a realm of pain and beauty that is the province of greatness…The emotions, both savage and painfully delicate, that saturate this work are arguably more rich and varied in tone than those of any American dramatist…The voices of Williams’s entrapped nightingales…refuse to fade when the play is plunged into its concluding darkness.” – The New York Times

    “The best American play so far this season…It adds to the reputation of one of America’s greatest playwrights.” – The New York Daily News

    “Fascinating.” – The New York Post

    “Changes our perception of a major writer and still packs a hefty political punch.” – London Independent

    DETAILS

    Time Period: 1930s
    Setting: A large American prison during the summer of 1938.
    Features / Contains: Period Costumes

    CASTING

    9m, 3f
    THE VOICE OF THE LORELEI
    MRS. BRISTOL
    EVA CRANE
    JIM ALLISON (Canary Jim)
    BOSS WHALEN – the warden
    JACK BRISTOL (Sailor Jack)
    SCHULTZ – a guard
    BUTCH O’FALLON
    THE QUEEN
    JOE
    MCBURNEY – a guard
    OLIVER ARMSTEAD (Ollie)
    SHAPIRO
    JEREMY TROUT (Swifty)
    MEX
    KRAUSE
    ALBERTS
    TOM
    CHAPLAIN
    REVEREND HOOKER
    GOLDIE
    CHICK
    GUARDS, CONVICTS, TROOPERS

    Tennessee Williams

    Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) explores passion with daring honesty, and forged a poetic theatre of raw psychological insight that shattered conventional proprieties and transformed the American stage. The autobiographical The Glass Menagerie brought what Mr. Williams called “the catastrophe of success,” a success capped by A Streetcar Named Desire, one of the most influential works of modern American literature. An extraordinary series of masterpieces followed, including Vieux Carre, Sweet Bird of Youth, The Rose Tattoo, Orpheus Descending, and the classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

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  • 2018 season,  shows

    Current Season

    Current Show

    You can click here to make reservations for our fall show, Spider’s Web: Reservations >

    Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web
    At Hallowell City Hall
    Show dates November 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24
    Read more...

    Tickets 10 for Students and Seniors 12 for Adults
    Reservations Call 207-626-3698 or www.gaslighttheater.org
    Hallowell City Hall Auditorium

    Earlier this year:

    Shakespeare in the Park with the Augusta Downtown Alliance
    A Midsummer Night’s Dream
    Augusta 16, 17 in Waterfront Park in Augusta
    Read more…

    A Little Murder Never Hurt Anyone by Ron Bernas
    At Hallowell City Hall
    Show dates June 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
    Read More…

    March

    Two one act Comedies

    “All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play” by Werner Trieschmann

    and

    “The Terrible False Deceptions” by Rafe Macpherson

    Show dates:
    March 22, 23, 29 30 at 7:30
    March 24 and 31 at 2 pm
    Read more about these shows. >>

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