Penobscot Theatre Company to Hold Maine Premiere of DOCTOR CERBERUS

Penobscot Theatre Company is readying the first of three Maine premieres planned for 2015-2016: Doctor Cerberus, by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the story of an aspiring writer navigating the horrors of high school and the indignity of family life. The first preview is October 22, and the show will run through November 8 with all performances at the Bangor Opera House.

"In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the three-headed dog guarding the gates of hell,"explains Bari Newport, the company's producing artistic director, who is directing this show. "For our overweight and underappreciated hero Franklin, the teen years are hellish terrain and he doesn't have a watchdog to protect him. Instead, he relies on 'Doctor Cerberus,' a ridiculous late-night horror host, to deliver him from the horrors of real life-because zombies, mummies, and poltergeists are nothing compared to Franklin's gym teacher." Told in retrospect with frequent flashbacks to the early 1980s, the play captures Franklin's hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking passage to adulthood.

Playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa rose to literary prominence with one foot in theatre and the other in the comic book realm, which gives this coming-of-age tale "artistic dimension and real punch," says Newport. Best known for his work with Marvel Comics, Aguirre-Sacasa adapted Stephen King's The Stand into a series of comic books, and authored Afterlife with Archie, among other popular titles. "As a memory play, Doctor Cerberus gives the audience context, like the captions and thought bubbles of a comic frame. It's fast-paced and dialogue-driven, and a little edgy." The content is for mature patrons and the production includes explicit language.

Playing the title role and several other characters is quick-change artist extraordinaire Mark Chambers, last seen at the Bangor Opera House in The Mystery of Irma Vep (2014) and The Woman in Black (2013). Benjamin Layman is playing Franklin, Brad LaBree his obnoxious older brother, and Dominick Varney and Amy Roeder his caring but clueless parents. Bringing Franklin's world to life are designers Tricia Hobbs (scenic), Scout Hough (lighting), Kevin Koski (costumes), Brandie Rita Larkin (sound), and Meredith Perry (props).

Doctor Cerberus is produced in partnership with the law firm Farrell, Rosenblatt & Russell. The theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous support provided throughout the season by the following sponsors: The Bangor Daily News, Blueberry Broadcasting, Canyon Networks, The Charles Inn, Darling's, The Maine Edge, Downtown with Rich Kimball, The Wave, WLBZ Channel 2, and ZONE Radio.

To purchase tickets or for more details, call the Box Office at (207) 942-3333 or go online at www.penobscottheatre.org.