“Life Goes On” in Small Town
A poignant portrait of a struggling America, while simultaneously celebrating the strength of community, hard work, and love.
The Weekly Sentinel, 9 October 2026
By Krista Crommett, Contributing Writer
A modern day Romeo & Juliet meets Working: A Musical in the World Premiere of Small Town, which opened October 4th. It is the final mainstage musical at Ogunquit Playhouse for the 2026 season. Lisa Peterson directs this one-of-a-kind show, which features a book by Naomi Wallace and music by John Mellencamp. The story follows “Jack and Diane” as they grow up in rural America. It illustrates many of the challenges and joys of living in such communities. A few of the larger themes include big business/capitalism, the fragility of the environment, and, in turn, the fragility of human relationships.
The show opens with an optimistic and exuberant tone. The ensemble trickles in slowly, some playing instruments such as the accordion, harmonica, violin, and guitar. The iron-scaffolded set (Klara Zieglerova) is split-level and effectively shows the audience the working-class setting.
The band is tucked behind a clear divider, as opposed to hidden away in a “pit”, which conveys the message that music (literally) takes center stage! Well, technically stage left and stage right- but it is a statement, nonetheless.
About the music: this musical is composed of songs from Mellencamp’s prolific catalogue. It opens with the titular song, Small Town, which is uniquely arranged by Jason Hart. A song that is so embedded in the collective psyche suddenly gets new life with the layered harmonies and various vocalists dipping in and out throughout. “Chasing Rainbows” is another complex and beautiful arrangement; parts of this song are in both English and Spanish.
Richard J. Hinds’ inventive choreography proves that dancing and football can indeed co-exist, and Richard Latta’s lighting design incorporates some bold choices. The choreography has moments where it echoes line dancing or country-western styles, especially during the scenes in town. It takes on an appropriately robotic Metropolis aspect during the factory scenes, and then there are modern, angular, focused dance numbers that express isolation and/or claustrophobia. When the lighting glares directly into the audience, it happens at key moments in the story, possibly implying a call to action from the patrons.
The Small Town cast is extraordinary! There is not enough space to mention them all, but the following are some worth noting. Dillon Klena superbly plays Jack as a mix of horny adolescent ambition and puppy love. His vocals are strong and muscular, and his acting chops show real range. Diane is also well-cast; she is portrayed by Morgan Higgins, and her slight frame/feminine image belie the scrappy fighter just under the surface. Higgins’ vocals are clear and unadorned, which make them that much more powerful.
Kendall Rivera delivers an outstanding performance, overall. At such a young age, her comedic timing, combined with her pure singing voice and depth of character, make her “one to watch” in the future. Ron Bohmer stands out as the corrupt boss, Sean, and he particularly shines in the songs “I Always Lie to Strangers” and “Paper in Fire”. Luna Lauren Velez and Matt Saldivar wonderfully embody what it means to be “la familia”. Saldivar also plays guitar, further adding to the tender portrayal of Sergio-the glue that holds that family together. Velez’s vocals are strong and passionate, in any language. Kathy Fitzgerald and Annie Golden offer some comedic relief, along with a biting commentary on the future of family farming.
Small Town is a poignant portrait of a struggling America. It confronts some of her most pressing problems, while simultaneously celebrating the strength of community, hard work, and love.
“Check it Out”! Get on over to the Playhouse throughout the month of October. For more information and tickets, Go to ogunquitplayhouse.org