The Public Theatre

10/10/2026

First Look at Steel Magnolias!

Steel Magnolias opens October 23rd and matinees are filling up. Don't wait to get YOUR tickets to this beloved, heartfelt comedy.
Visit our Event Steel Magnolias to get your tickets today!
This is a show you won’t want to miss!

Back: Brigid Cleary*, Heather Dilly*, Odelle Bowman, Mary Caroline Owens*, Front: Beth Hylton*, Becca Ballenger* - *members of Actors' Equity Association

10/06/2026

Meet the fabulous cast of Steel Magnolias!

You may recognize familiar faces from hit shows: Brigid Cleary from Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk, and Heather Dilly and Beth Hylton who last appeared together in Lunenburg. Give a warm welcome to Becca Ballenger, Odelle Bowman, and Mary Caroline Owens who are coming to our stage for the first time. We can't wait to see them all together in Steel Magnolias. Visit the Steel Magnolias Event or call 782-3200 to get your tickets today!

Shown: Brigid Cleary*, Heather Dilly*, Mary Caroline Owens*, Beth Hylton*, Becca Ballenger*, and Odelle Bowman. *members of Actors' Equity Association

10/02/2026

Please get ready to welcome the cast of Steel Magnolias. You may recognize those who have appeared on our stage before: Brigid Cleary from Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk. Heather Dilly and Beth Hylton last appeared together in Lunenburg. Becca Ballenger, Odelle Bowman, and Mary Caroline Owens are coming to our stage for the first time. We can't wait to see them all together in Steel Magnolias, Oct 23 - Nov 8. Visit Steel Magnolias Facebook Event or call 782-3200 to get your tickets today!

09/26/2026

TONIGHT, Sept 26 at 7pm - ONE MORE CHANCE to see 10 short films for just $15 and cast YOUR votes for the winners of the Manhattan Short Film Festival 2026 . Read more and get your tickets today at Buy online at ThePublicTheatre . org until 1 hour before the show, call 782-3200, or buy at the door. No previews. Films start rolling at 7pm.

For the first time in its history MANHATTAN SHORT has selected ten films from ten countries with films from USA, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Moldova, Russia, Cuba, Georgia and Mexico making up MANHATTAN SHORT 2026. “Since 9/11 my vision for this Festival has been to create a filmic Olympiad. An event consisting of ten quality shorts from ten separate countries that joins the world, and finally in 2026 we’ve managed to do that. I’m very excited for the reaction it receives from our worldwide audiences”, says Nicholas Mason, founding director of MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival.

MANHATTAN SHORT 2026 Finalists:
Small Talk (USA), Mary is Missing (Ireland), Candy Bar (Australia), Vultures (South Africa), Life Goes On (United Kingdom), Hai Davai (Moldova), Pickup (Russia), Norheimsund (Cuba), When the Sea was Calm (Georgia), Never Give Up (Mexico).
All Finalists become Oscar-qualified, meaning they will be automatically eligible for an Academy Award. In 2024, four Manhattan Short selections were short-listed. Two of those films were nominated for an Oscar, including the ultimate winner for Best Live Action short I’m Not a Robot.

09/24/2026

This Friday and Saturday only. Three chances to be the judge at the Manhattan Short Film Festival 2026. Just $15 to see 10 short films from around the world and cast your vote for your favorites.

Did you know all films are eligible for Oscar consideration? Get your tickets online at ThePublicTheatre.org or at the door. No previews! The films start at posted times.

09/22/2026

Do you have your tickets to the Manhattan Short Film Festival 2026? See 10 short films for just $15 and YOU get to vote for your favorites. This Friday and Saturday only. Tickets at ThePublicTheatre.org or call 782-3200.

For the first time in its history MANHATTAN SHORT has selected ten films from ten countries with films from USA, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Moldova, Russia, Cuba, Georgia and Mexico making up MANHATTAN SHORT 2026. “Since 9/11 my vision for this Festival has been to create a filmic Olympiad. An event consisting of ten quality shorts from ten separate countries that joins the world, and finally in 2026 we’ve managed to do that. I’m very excited for the reaction it receives from our worldwide audiences”, says Nicholas Mason, founding director of MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival.

MANHATTAN SHORT 2026 Finalists:
Small Talk (USA), Mary is Missing (Ireland), Candy Bar (Australia), Vultures (South Africa), Life Goes On (United Kingdom), Hai Davai (Moldova), Pickup (Russia), Norheimsund (Cuba), When the Sea was Calm (Georgia), Never Give Up (Mexico).

All Finalists become Oscar-qualified, meaning they will be automatically eligible for an Academy Award. In 2024, four Manhattan Short selections were short-listed. Two of those films were nominated for an Oscar, including the ultimate winner for Best Live Action short I’m Not a Robot.

09/18/2026

ONE WEEK to the Manhattan Short Film Festival 2026 at The Public Theatre. See 10 short films and YOU get to vote for your favorites. Three showings, Sept 25 & 26. $15 General admission. Read more and get your tickets today.

For the first time in its history MANHATTAN SHORT has selected ten films from ten countries with films from USA, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Moldova, Russia, Cuba, Georgia and Mexico making up MANHATTAN SHORT 2026. “Since 9/11 my vision for this Festival has been to create a filmic Olympiad. An event consisting of ten quality shorts from ten separate countries that joins the world, and finally in 2026 we’ve managed to do that. I’m very excited for the reaction it receives from our worldwide audiences”, says Nicholas Mason, founding director of MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival.

MANHATTAN SHORT Trailer 2026. You Be the Judge!

09/11/2026

It's the final weekend for Million Dollar Quartet! We are thrilled to present this exciting musical co-production with Maine State Music Theatre .

Please take a minute to recognize our sponsors, MaineSail Care Communities , Schooner Estates Senior Living Community , and Sandy Morrell-Rooney & Chuck Rooney, give them a big round of applause and thank them for supporting the Arts in your community.