ORONO – Orono Community Theatre’s first production, “The Phantom Tollbooth,” will be performed this weekend at the Keith Anderson Community Center on the Bennoch Road.

Sandra Cyrus is directing and designing the children’s fantasy tale, based on the book by Norton Juster. Her cast of 25 actors ranges in age from 10 to adult and features local celebrities such as attorney Ted Curtis in cameo roles.

“We do not intend to be a children’s theater company,” said Cyrus, “but we decided that for our first show, it would be good to have a large cast to enable participation by all ages, and to produce a show that would appeal to a family audience.

“We want the company to give young people the chance to learn from and be mentored by adults through participation in productions. We want to teach the craft of theater to all who are involved.”

That goal stems from the organization’s roots, according to Cyrus. The new theater company grew out of the successful Arts Cafe held the first Saturday of each month at the community center. The Arts Cafe was inspired by a project Cyrus’ daughter, Afton, organized at Orono High School.

“The parks and rec department installed new sound and lighting systems in the facility,” said Cyrus. “That made it really viable as performance space for theater.”

Norman Poirier, director of Orono Parks and Recreation, is making his theatrical debut as the Gatekeeper. He also will be the ticket taker before the curtain goes up. Poirier has had lots of experience at sports, but has never been in a play before.

“It’s been fun to interact with the kids and see them going through the preparation for this production,” he said of the experience. “This theater company adds an important component that, being a small town, we’ve lacked.”

Poirier said his department offers many traditional recreation activities, especially team sports. He said the opportunity to offer theater rounds out the arts side of their program and offers something for community members not interested in sports.

The community also was excited about increasing opportunities for participation in the performing locally. Town and school officials have been discussing the possibility of adding a performing arts wing, including an auditorium, to the high school.

Cyrus, who worked with the now-defunct children’s company Theatre of the Enchanted Forest, said the new Orono group plans to do an adult comedy in the fall.

Tickets for this weekend’s performances will be sold at the door and seating will be limited to about 120 per performance, said Cyrus. The director said she’s staged the show so that it “surrounds the audience.”

“The Phantom Tollbooth” will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Keith Anderson Community Center. For more information, call 866-5065.