MEANWHILE BACK ON THE COUCH Written by Jack Sharkey Directed by Kristin Hughes Victor is a struggling psychiatrist who takes on a new patient to help with his growing financial problems. The patient, frustrated by love, dreams up a steamy, torrid novel and gives the manuscript to Victor. Victor's nurse hands the manuscript over to a publisher, believing it is Victor's work. Suddenly Victor has an enormous advance royalty check and a Book of the Month Club selection! Things continue to spiral out of control as Victor is determined to keep his patient crazy until he's dreamed up the final chapter... Production Dates: September 19 - October 11, 2008. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8PM and Sunday, October 5th begins at 3PM.

INDEPENDENCE Written by Lee Blessing Directed by J. Mark Baumhardt A fractured family searches for peace and independence in this sensitive drama. Kess, the oldest daughter, has come home to help her sister, Jo, take care of their unstable mother. Their younger sister, Sherry, is only concerned with leaving home for good. Independence explores the compelling lives of these four unique women as they come together to seek their identities. Often humorous, sometimes cruel, Independence is a powerful drama that raises tough questions about family, love, loyalty, and growing up. Production Dates: November 14 – December 6, 2008 Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8PM and Sunday, November 30 begins at 3PM.

Acme Theater of Maynard, MA is proud to announce that it is are now accepting submissions for our 8th annual New Works Winter Festival. The festival will be performed over two weekends in January 2009. Selected plays will be divided into two festival tracks and will be performed once per weekend. At the conclusion of each festival track, one playwright will be awarded the audience choice award, known as "The Charlie". Get more information...

PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE Written by Steve Martin Directed by Gordon Ellis Picasso! Einstein! Schmendimen? Art, science and commercialism collide head-on in a fantastic tale that explores the nature of genius and its role in shaping the 20th century. Set in a Paris bar in 1904, Steve Martin’s comedy proposes a meeting between two of the most creative and influential minds of the 20th century, at a unique moment in their lives. Martin’s play, like the two men he brings together, throws convention to the wind in a wacky and irreverent way. Production Dates: February 20 - March 14, 2009 Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8PM and Sunday, March 8th performance begins at 3PM.

THE DEAD GUY Written by Eric Coble Directed by Dave Sheppard Eldon has no ambitions, no prospects and no future. He meets up with Gina, a television producer who will lose her job unless she comes up with a ratings grabber—quick! So how about a reality TV show in which Eldon gets to spend $1 million in one week? And then he is killed in a manner to be chosen by the viewing audience? This is “Jerry Springer” meets “My Name is Earl” meets “Big Brother.” A hysterical commentary on the TV industry and its audience. Production Dates: April 24 – May 16, 2009 Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8PM and Sunday, May 10th performance begins at 3PM.