The last weekend of April and first few weeks of May are set to be busy ones for local theater companies and their fans, as three shows open in the Bangor area within one week of one another. This means three unique opportunities to see three unique plays, all delving into very different world and topics, presented by a wide array of local actors and directors. Take this chance to see just what the Bangor region has to offer for theatrical talent — opportunities like this don’t often happen.
Penobscot Theatre Company, “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel,” April 28-May 15, Bangor Opera House
“Tuesdays with Morrie” author Mitch Albom also writes plays — including “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel,” ripped from the headlines of a tawdry tabloid. When a jaded New York journalist (Andrew Crowe, who played Johnny Cash in “Ring of Fire”) is sent to cover a mysterious angel shooting in Alabama, he expects to find and dutifully perpetuate a hoax, but his skepticism turns to surprise as the evidence points to divine intervention. This sweet, heartfelt comedy, directed by PTC’s own Bari Newport and featuring set and lighting design by Jonathan Spencer, also features local actors including Ben Layman, Doug Meswarb, Arthur Morison, Amelia Forman-Stiles, Neil E. Graham, Greg Littlefield, Morgan Wiercinski and Brian Michael. For tickets and showtimes, call 942-3333 or visit penobscottheatre.org; there are performances every day of the run except Mondays and Tuesdays.
Ten Bucks Theatre Company, “Fawlty Towers IV and Monty Python Naughty Bits,” April 28-May 15, Cyrus Pavilion Theatre, University of Maine.
For the fourth time in more than a decade, Ten Bucks Theatre Company will present two full screenplays of the classic 1970s sitcom “Fawlty Towers,” with Ron Lisnet as Basil Fawlty and Julie Lisnet as Sybil, the roles made famous by John Cleese and Connie Booth, directed by Bernard Hope. In between the two theatrical episodes (“The Psychiatrist” and “The Wedding Party”), there will skits from both the Monty Python and Fry & Laurie libraries. If you love British comedy and classic British TV, this is not to be missed. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays, April 28 through May 15, with Thursday-Friday shows at 7 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the door. The Cyrus Pavilion Theatre is the small, brick theater located on the lawn on the back side of Fogler Library at the University of Maine. For more information, like Ten Bucks Theatre Company on Facebook.
Some Theatre Company, “Peter/Wendy,” May 6-8, Keith Anderson Community Center, Orono
For just one weekend, Some Theatre Company — the area’s newest theater group, known for their whimsical, often left-of-center productions — offers up this retelling of the classic “Peter Pan” story. Playwright Jeremy Bloom strips the familiar story down to its emotional essence, with a low-tech, inventive adaptation that pays homage to the darker themes of J. M. Barrie’s original. Directed by Elaine Bard, the cast features many younger actors and unique fight choreography by Angela Bonacasa. Tickets are available online via brownpapertickets.com, or in person at the Keith Anderson Community Center on the Bennoch Road in downtown Orono. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information, like Some Theatre Company on Facebook.
