“Lungs” by Duncan Macmillan Opens Friday, August 8th

After a wildly busy first year, the artistic team at the heart of Belfast’s CounterCurrent Collective - John Jurcheck, Courtney Hayes, and Madeline Bugeau-Hartt - aren’t resting on their laurels.

Last summer, they snuck audiences behind Darby’s restaurant for a stellar (literally under the stars) immersive production of Annie Baker’s “The Aliens”. (Excellent reviews from the Bangor Daily News and the Midcoast Villager quickly followed.) This winter, playgoers got to experience the Waldo County YMCA “After Hours” with a funny and poignant production of Baker’s “Circle Mirror Transformation”. (Again, BDN and the Villager took notice.) And just last month, Midcoasters in the know got up close and personal with the World Premiere of “My Boyfriend Bonhoeffer”, a lyrical and haunting original work in progress about keeping the faith in difficult times, set in the company’s intimate Studio 111.

Now it’s summer again, and this dynamic trio is doubling down (or is it tripling down?) on another timely and powerful piece of theatre.

“Lungs” by Duncan Macmillan is a whip-smart verbal rollercoaster through one couple’s journey to parenthood as they grapple with the social and ecological impacts of bringing a child into our increasingly turbulent planet. Jurcheck and Bugeau-Hartt star, while Hayes takes the helm as Director for the first time in her long career as an actor and producer.

“Believe it or not, I found this script in a Little Free Library here in Belfast and I was instantly hooked,” says Hayes. “It’s funny, heartbreaking, and relatable - those are key ingredients in the CounterCurrent ‘secret sauce’”, Hayes added with a laugh, “so I knew it was something we could do well.”

It didn’t take much to convince her fellow collaborators. “John and I read the play, sitting on the couch in my apartment while Courtney watched,” recalled Bugeau-Hartt, “and when we got to the end, we just sat in stunned silence for a minute, and then we all started crying, and then we all started laughing, and then when we finally recovered it was just, like, ‘yes we have to do this’.”

Once again, the company has found a dynamic location that evokes the themes of the play which, in true CounterCurrent fashion, will remain a secret until audiences arrive for the show. “I think people will be blown away by the setting of this piece,” says Jurcheck. “Like The Aliens, we’re going to bring you to a place that’s hidden in plain sight. All I’ll say is that this spot holds a unique piece of Belfast history that won’t be around much longer.” Jurcheck paused for effect. “So don’t hold your breath.”

Lungs by Duncan Macmillan opens Friday, August 8th at 7:30pm. Performances run August 8th through September 7th, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at 7:30pm, at a secret location in downtown Belfast, Maine. Tickets are $35 and seating is limited. Facilitated discussion to follow every performance. Tickets and information are available at www.becountercurrent.com or call the box office at 720-496-3297. Email connect@becountercurrent.com with questions.