PTC going ‘Coastal’

The guy playing the lobsterman-turned-lifeguard has to be just right. Let’s get Rosencrantz.

Maybe that wasn’t exactly the conversation that took place during casting of the new Penobscot Theatre Company production.

But there’s no doubt that Patrick J. Zeller is back, glad to be in Bangor again having such a positive experience last summer with the Maine Shakespeare Festival – including playing the Bard-created Rosencrantz in two productions.

“It was a blast,” Zeller recalled recently on the second day of rehearsals for Tina Howe’s “Coastal Disturbances” at Bangor Opera House.

“The audiences here are so generous, and more appreciative than any kind of urban audiences,” he explained. “A better audience makes a better show.”

Zeller, known as P.J., will play Leo, the lifeguard who uses stories of Penobscot Bay to try to win the attentions of Holly, a photographer from New York visiting a beach in northern Massachusetts.

Zeller grew up in Connecticut and earned a degree in fine arts from Boston’s Emerson College in 1999. He was a student there of Patricia Riggin, who also has been a teacher at the University of Maine.

The play has another Emerson connection, as well, in actress Nina Nevins, currently a student at the school.

“This is my first theater experience away from college,” explained the 21-year-old, who is originally from Illinois. Riggin recommended that she audition for the role of Holly, she said.

Nevins confessed to a small case of nerves over the project, but those went away when she got to Bangor, “where I’ve been treated like family.”

A bit of nerves might be good for playing the part of Holly.

“She’s a little neurotic. I like that about her. It’s in a loving way,” Nevins pointed out. “She comes into a room and brightens people’s faces. At this moment, she’s pretty vulnerable.”

In his quest for Holly’s affections, Leo has competition in Andre, her gallery-owner beau.

Fran Vogt, who performs often with Maine Shakespeare Festival, will play Leo.

Julie Arnold Lisnet and Sara Valentine will play the mothers, and Isaac Mitchell and Jordan Borgman the children. The older couple will be portrayed by Jay Doolittle and Gladdy Matteosian.

The romantic comedy earned Tony nominations in 1987 for best play, best direction and best featured actress.

Previews for “Coastal Disturbances” are scheduled for 7 p.m. May 16-17 at Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St., Bangor. Regular performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. May 24; 8 p.m. May 18, 25 and 26; 5 p.m. May 19; and 2 p.m. May 20 and 27. For tickets, call 942-3333.