Penobscot Theatre Co Opens Season with THE GRADUATE

Penobscot Theatre Company is proud to open its 45th Season with the Maine premiere of The Graduate. Based on the cult-classic novel and the iconic 1967 film, playwright Terry Johnson's stage adaptation is a bitterly hilarious dark comedy, full of rapid-fire dialogue between fascinating and horrifying characters. Performances runSeptember 6-23 at the historic Bangor Opera House.

The Graduate tells the story of Benjamin, who has excellent grades, very proud parents and a bright future ahead of him. That all changes when he obliges one simple request: to help Mrs. Robinson with her zipper. Against the shimmering, glittery backdrop of 1960's Southern California, The Graduate captures the pain, passion and possibility of a young man on the cusp of . . . well, anything but plastics!

This sexy, sardonic, boozy cocktail of comic drama catapulted Dustin Hoffman to stardom along with the unforgettable soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport (Ugly Lies the Bone, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Misery) and associate director Dominick Varney (The Spitfire Grill; Lumberjacks in Love; Hair Frenzy)direct a cast of familiar faces and new additions including Alekzander Sayers (Shear Madness, Beauty and the Beast, The Full Monty) as Benjamin and AJ Mooney (Misery, The Full Monty; August: Osage County) as Mrs. Robinson.

Newport says, "The Graduate was the film my parents saw on their first date, fifty-one years ago. In a way, this production is my gift to them."

The cast also includes Jeri Misler (Hair Frenzy, God of Carnage), New York based actor D.C. Anderson (The Fabulous Lipitones), Arthur Morison (Beauty and the Beast, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel), Jenny Hart (Around the World in 80 Days, Boeing-Boeing) and Allen Adams (Ugly Lies the Bone, Escanaba in da Moonlight). Boston-based Kelly Davies plays Elaine and makes her Penobscot Theatre Company debut.

The Graduate is being designed by New Mexico based scenic designer Sean McClelland (The Spitfire Grill), New York based lighting designer Jose Santiago and Penobscot Theatre Company's new resident sound designer, Sean McGinley. Costume design is by Penobscot Theatre Company resident costume designer Kevin Koski (Shear Madness) and property design is by longtime PTC company member, Meredith Perry (Shear Madness).

Granville Stone & Hearth is the lead sponsor for this Maine premiere.

Tickets may be purchase by phone (207-942-3333), on-line at www.penobscottheatre.orgor in person at 131 Main Street, Bangor. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, noon to 5:00 pm, and up to three hours before performance times when shows are running.