Robert Klingelhoefer

Opening West Virginia Public Theatre's summer season on June 1 is Broadway smash-hit, Tony Award-winning Peter and the Starcatcher! Presented for the first time in Morgantown, this family-friendly musical upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair... and the bonds of friendship, duty and love.

The Full Monty, which opened Maine State Music Theatre's fifty-seventh season, has all the makings of a new hit for the company! The rollicking, sometimes raucous story of unemployed Buffalo steel workers who create a male strip act to make money has characters to embrace and identify with, clever and provocative dance numbers, music which underscores advances the dramatic development of the script, and one of the most anticipated final numbers in all of Broadway musicals. In addition, at MSMT in a shared production with Lancaster's Fulton Theatre, the David Yazbek -Terrence McNally show is blessed with a stunning ensemble and witty, heartfelt direction and choreography by Donna Drake.

Maine State Music Theatre's second production of the season, a revival of the Knapp-Alper 1996 musical Chamberlain A Civil War Romance, proves to be a grand and glorious theatrical experience, an endeavor of epic proportions that delivers spectacle, emotion, and inspiration in equal measure. Spanning more than fifty years in the life of Brunswick's legendary Civil War hero, Maine governor, and Bowdoin college president, Joshua L. Chamberlain, and focusing on his relationship with his passionate, mercurial wife, Fannie Adams, the musical, in this brilliantly executed new production, directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, offers both epic sweep and touching intimacy. Large in musical and dramatic scale, lavish in production values, and cast with a first rate ensemble of singing-actors, Chamberlain dazzles the ear and eye and warms the heart.

Maine State Music Theatre's (MSMT) production of Chamberlain: A Civil War Romance brings the life of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain to the stage. The story centers on his relationship with his wife, Fannie, and explores the trials and tribulations of a man committed to his family as well as his country.

Maine State Music Theatre's (MSMT) production of Chamberlain: A Civil War Romance brings the life of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain to the stage. The story centers on his relationship with his wife, Fannie, and explores the trials and tribulations of a man committed to his family as well as his country.

In 2009, the Fulton Theatre production of LES MISERABLES broke all previous Fulton box office records and its sold-out run was extended two weeks. Now, it appears that history is repeating itself, and the Fulton is responding by extending the run of its upcoming production of LES MISERABLES until July 13, 2014, two weeks after its previously announced closing date.

It's quite a feat to take a dusty old classic comedy and brush it off, polish it up and have an audience laughing out loud for two hours.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 205th season with Broadway's classic madcap comedy, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Directed by Charles Abbott, this 75th Anniversary production begins previews tomorrow, March 11th, opens tonight, March 19th and runs through April 27th on the Walnut's Mainstage. Scroll down for some photos of the production!

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 205th season with Broadway's classic madcap comedy, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Directed by Charles Abbott, this 75th Anniversary production begins previews tomorrow, March 11th, opens on March 19th and runs through April 27th on the Walnut's Mainstage. Scroll down for some photos of the production!

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 205th season with Broadway's classic madcap comedy, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Directed by Charles Abbott, this 75th Anniversary production begins previews tonight, March 11th, opens on March 19th and runs through April 27th on the Walnut's Mainstage.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 205th season with Broadway's classic madcap comedy, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Directed by Charles Abbott, this 75th Anniversary production begins previews on March 11th, opens on March 19th and runs through April 27th on the Walnut's Mainstage.

The Walnut Street Theatre's Charles Abbott gives the Fulton the classic play of all going wrong, all going absolutely right. Visually stunning killer comedy.

They seem nice, but you won't want to sample the Brewster sisters' wine! Arsenic and Old Lace, running tonight, January 28 through February 16, 2014 at the Fulton Theatre, brings the tale of the Brewsters' boarding house to stage in an uproarious dark comedy.

They seem nice, but you won't want to sample the Brewster sisters' wine! Arsenic and Old Lace, running January 28 through February 16, 2014 at the Fulton Theatre, brings the tale of the Brewsters' boarding house to stage in an uproarious dark comedy.

Voting is now underway for Maine! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Maine! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Maine! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Despite its location far, far north, and its relatively sparse population compared to cultural capitals, Maine boasts a rich regional theatre climate. There are quite a few thriving, adventurous, permanent professional companies, as well as an excellent contingent of community theatres. This year offered a wealth of exciting choices. Here is my personal list for 2013, grouped by theatre company and show:

Voting is now underway for Maine! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.