The new John Mellencamp musical Small Town will make its world premiere in Maine, during the Ogunquit Playhouse's forthcoming 94th season.
Three-time Tony winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Wonderful Town, The Pajama Game) will direct and choreograph the musical, which features a score of Grammy winner Mellencamp's hits and a book by Naomi Wallace (One Flea Spare, In the Heart of America). Performances are scheduled for October 1—November 1.
The new musical follows Jack and Diane, two star-crossed lovers refusing to let the world break them or bury their youthful fire. Through the echoes of “Hurts So Good,” “Lonely Ol’ Night,” “Small Town,” and “Jack and Diane,” audiences will witness a multigenerational community at a crossroads, making tough choices in a desperate bid for a better life.
Casting and additional creative team members will be announced at a later date.
“Ogunquit Playhouse has a storied legacy of debuting world and American premieres, and we take immense pride in fostering new works alongside world-class artists,” said Executive Artistic Director Bradford Kenney in a statement. “We are thrilled to continue that tradition this season with a powerful new musical from the legendary John Mellencamp and Naomi Wallace. Under the visionary direction of three-time Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, this production brings the heart of the American ‘small town’ to life. We cannot wait for our audiences to experience the story of Jack and Diane this October, and to hear Mellencamp’s iconic hits reimagined for the stage by this incredible creative team.”
"I'm honored to return to Ogunquit to bring this beautiful and uplifting story of a resilient community to the historic Playhouse,” added director and choreographer Marshall, who has been attached to the project since at least a 2019 announcement. “With John's unforgettable music and John and Naomi's poetic words, we look forward to presenting the first production of this compelling new musical."
With a career spanning five decades, Mellencamp is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and recipient of the John Steinbeck Award and the Woody Guthrie Award, among others. He is a founding member of Farm Aid along with Willie Nelson and Neil Young.
The 2026 Ogunquit season also includes previously announced productions Ain’t Too Proud (May 14–June 13), Hello, Dolly! (June 18–July 18), City of Angels (July 23–August 22), and The Producers (August 27–September 26).
