BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre Company will close its 2003-2004 season with “Dead Certain” by Marcus Lloyd, a riveting and explosive story about a man and woman in a cat-and-mouse psychological game. “Dead Certain” will run at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, April 20-22, and at 8 p.m. April 23-May 2 at the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St.

“Dead Certain” was first produced in 1999 at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, England, and since its publication in 2001, has received six productions in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and United States. Penobscot Theatre is the first company in New England to produce the work.

“I am delighted to bring this production to the stage for Bangor audiences,” said Producing Artistic Director Mark Torres. “Thrillers are audience pleasers, and this one, with characters who have plenty to hide, a plot with a multitude of twists and two loaded semi-automatics introduced in the first scene, is sure to meet or exceed expectations.”

Marcus Lloyd, the playwright, will be in Bangor from London for opening weekend of the production. Penobscot Theatre is planning a special reception and audience discussions with the playwright.

Marcus Lloyd grew up in London and studied physics at Oxford University. He studied drama writing with playwright Bernard Kops while supporting himself by working in the cloakroom of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. In 1995, his first play, “Taking Pictures,” was a winner in the New London Radio Playwrights Festival.

“Working with Marcus Lloyd on the production adds an exciting dimension artistically,” Torres said. “It is the director’s charge to honor the work of the playwright and attempt to understand and work toward realizing his or her intentions during the rehearsal process. When I e-mail him a question, it engages the actors and me in a way not available to us with older plays. We are looking forward to Marcus’ visit, and hope our work impresses him.”

The creative team for production of “Dead Certain” includes costume designers Ginger Phelps and Gabriella D’Italia, lighting designer Lynne Chase, and Portland-based set designer Michael Reidy.

Cast members are Rita Rehn and Matt Edwards.

Rehn, who will play Elizabeth, has been on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musicals “Nine” and “A Chorus Line.” She recently returned from Los Angeles, where she was in “The Big Knife.” Last year, she was on tour with Valerie Harper in “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.” She won two N.J. Theatre awards for Best Actress and Best Featured for work in “As Bees In Honey Drown” and “As the World Goes Round.”

Edwards, as Michael, will make his PTC debut in “Dead Certain.” He has appeared on Broadway in “School for Scandal” with Tony Randall and “You Never Can Tell.” He has been in the films “Renaissance Man,” “Icthyophagus” and “It’s About Time.”

Next season, Penobscot Theatre will offer productions of “Dracula,” “The Crucible,” “The Smell of the Kill,” “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” and “Noises Off.”

Dates, times and tickets for “Dead Certain” can be obtained by calling 942-3333 or by visiting the box office at the Bangor Opera House 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tickets and information are available at www.PenobscotTheatre.org.