Penobscot Theatre wins grant

BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre Company has won a $25,000 grant from the Maine Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts to stage the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “State of the Union” Oct. 22 through Nov. 2 at the historic Bangor Opera House downtown.

“This is a major grant from the American Masterpieces program,” said Producing Artistic Director Scott R.C. Levy. “Most organizations which win this grant from the MAC and the NEA do not receive the full request. We did and we plan to make the most of it.”

The Penobscot Theatre Company will use the grant to stage Russel Crouse and Howard Lindsay’s 1946 play “State of the Union.” Filled with sardonic wit and high politics, the play follows politician Grant Matthew’s quest for the 1948 Republican presidential nomination. What begins as a puppet show masterfully directed by his campaign manager ends when Grant realizes that “people matter more than politics.”

“This grant will allow our production of ‘State of the Union’ to become a masterpiece of theater in Bangor,” Levy said.

During this historic election year, Penobscot Theatre will present “State of the Union” in conjunction with a nonpartisan Get Out The Vote campaign. The company intends to host voter registration events at the Bangor Opera House and offer production-related presentations to local schools, student matinees and in-school workshops, community organizations and civic clubs to raise awareness of the voting process and its vital role in democracy.

“We’ve also launched plans to invite local, state and national politicians to attend performances of ‘State of the Union’ and then lead talk-back with audiences,” said Levy. “We’ll be encouraging them to share their experiences with the election process that is so critical to this nation.”

“State of the Union” is scheduled to open Wednesday, Oct. 22, and close Sunday, Nov. 2, two short campaign days before the general election.