OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS WITH LANDMARK 2026 SEASON AS JOHN MELLENCAMP’S “SMALL TOWN” BECOMES HIGHEST-GROSSING PRODUCTION IN PLAYHOUSE HISTORY
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS
WITH LANDMARK 2026 SEASON
ORIGINAL MUSICAL “SMALL TOWN” BECOMES
HIGHEST-GROSSING FIVE-WEEK PRODUCTION
IN PLAYHOUSE HISTORY
ANNUAL TICKET REVENUE HAS GROWN 64% SINCE 2022,
REACHING A PROJECTED $10.2 MILLION
AS REGIONAL THEATERS FACE MOUNTING CHALLENGES,
HISTORIC MAINE INSTITUTION LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE
WITH AMBITIOUS $70 MILLION TRANSFORMATION
OGUNQUIT, ME (October 30, 2026) – Ogunquit Playhouse is concluding its 2026 season with a new box-office record, extraordinary audience enthusiasm, and a remarkable trajectory of financial growth, reinforcing its position as one of America’s leading producing theaters.
Leading the season’s achievements is Small Town, the original musical featuring music and lyrics by John Mellencamp and a book by Naomi Wallace, which has become the highest-grossing five-week production in Ogunquit Playhouse history, with ticket sales projected to reach approximately $2.34 million. The milestone is particularly noteworthy because the production was developed and produced entirely by Ogunquit Playhouse, without commercial enhancement, and achieved its success without the benefit of an established Broadway title.
Indeed, three of the five highest-grossing five-week productions in the Playhouse’s 93-year history were presented during the 2026 season: Small Town, The Producers, and Ain’t Too Proud.
The season also demonstrated the Playhouse’s commitment to artistic excellence and adventurous programming. Alongside lavish productions of Broadway favorites Hello, Dolly! and The Producers, Ogunquit presented a critically acclaimed revival of City of Angels, the rarely produced 1990 Cy Coleman musical, introducing the sophisticated work to a new generation of theatergoers.
The financial results serve as a compelling counterpoint to the industry’s prevailing narrative. At a time when regional theaters across America are confronting declining attendance, rising costs, and an uncertain future, Ogunquit Playhouse has increased its annual ticket revenue from $6.2 million in 2022 to a projected $10.2 million in 2026 — growth of approximately 64% in just four years.
Executive Artistic Director Bradford Kenney said, “We are fortunate to have an audience equally willing to embrace beloved classics and new works, proving that commercial appeal and creative ambition need not be competing objectives. The enduring support of this community allows us to continue taking the kind of creative risks for which we’re known.”
The Playhouse’s extraordinary momentum extends beyond the box office. Its annual Gala Benefit, headlined by two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster and featuring a surprise appearance by Hugh Jackman, raised more than $3 million in support of the institution’s future.
That future is taking shape through the Next Century Campaign, an ambitious $70 million initiative to transform the historic Playhouse into a state-of-the-art theater with expanded production capabilities, improved audience amenities, and enhanced accessibility, while preserving the character and legacy that have made Ogunquit a beloved cultural destination for generations.
With approximately $40 million already committed, the campaign represents a bold investment in the institution’s continued growth and its ability to create exceptional theatrical experiences for decades to come.
Managing Director Deborah Warren said, “Our ability to look toward the future with such confidence is thanks to the extraordinary loyalty of our audiences and the generosity of our supporters. The Next Century Campaign will ensure that the institution’s physical home can match the scale of its artistic ambitions for many years to come.”
ABOUT OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE
As America’s foremost Summer theater, Ogunquit Playhouse delivers world-class Broadway entertainment and unforgettable experiences to more than 100,000 guests every season. Set in the charming seaside village of Ogunquit, Maine, The Playhouse is a legendary theater whose nearly 100 years of collaborating with brilliant artists from around the world has cemented its reputation as a premiere institution of American theatre.
Discover more by visiting ogunquitplayhouse.org and connecting with @ogunquitplayhouse on all social platforms.
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