BELFAST — Midcoast Actors' Studio of Belfast announces its last production of the season, the Maine Playwrights' Showcase, December 5 - 14 at the Playhouse, Church Street in Belfast.

The showcase includes original works by four Maine writers: Laura Emack of Prospect, Danielle Bannister of Searsmont, Shelly Curtain of Bucksport, and Michael Kimball of Cape Neddick. The cast and crew hail from all corners of Midcoast Maine: Bangor to Knox to Waldoboro. The showcase was the brainchild of MAS Artistic Director Jason Bannister.

"There are many good playwrights from our own backyard," says Bannister. "I wanted give to them a chance to see their works performed on the stage."

In A Talking Scale by Laura Emack, Nurse Ella (Marty Kelley) summons the courage to take a single terrifying step, one she makes the clinic's patients do every day: she steps onto the doctor's scale.

With The Muffin Man by Michael Kimball, an upscale brunch is interrupted by a homeless man (Jay Rosenberg) who demands his English muffin grilled, not toasted. Waitress played by Nicole Provonsil.

In Brackish Waters by Shelly Curtain, a time travel tale in Buckstown, Maine where different worlds mix. Waters stars Danielle Bannister, James Clayton, 9-year-old newcomer Marina Bannister, Rosenberg and Provonsil.

Backseat Driver (Emack) asks if a chance encounter between former high-school sweethearts will cause Shonna to violate her marriage vows? This play stars real life couple Beth and Mike Rowe.

In Swivel by Danielle Bannister, Daphne (Jen Maher) arrived to find her chair missing. What happens next will make her world spin. Also starring Kelley.

In The Day the Music Died (Emack), the Curves gym in the town of Thespia welcomes all women and serves as vibrant social center. Owner Donna denies the approaching financial meltdown that takes everyone else by unpleasant surprise (starring Bannister and her daughter Marina, Kelley, Ivy Lobato, and Maher).

Finally, Henny and Hitler in Hell (Kimball) has Adolf Hitler (Clayton) awakening in Henny Youngman's (Rowe) Catskills dressing room. Provonsil is Eva.

The Showcase is directed by Ivy Lobato and Judi Erickson. Phil Prince is board operator. Karen Bryzsnyak is costumer and Chris Wright helped with the set. Jason Bannister is producer, Leah Darcy is publicist, and Tristan Bannister is on the crew.

Performances will be December 5, 6, 12, and 13 at 7 p.m. and December 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. at the Playhouse, 107 Church Street in Belfast.

Tickets are $10 for all seats (very limited seating), and $6 for opening night only. The show is intended for mature audiences.

For tickets call the MAS box office at 370-7592 or email midcoastactors@gmail.com. For more information about this production, as well as the upcoming 2015 season, visit midcoastactors.org or their Facebook page.

After this season concludes, MAS will be presenting its 2015 season, including Venus in Fur by David Ives in February, Skylight by David Hare in May, The Servant of Two Masters by Carlos Goldoni (adapted by Constance Congdon) in September and Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire in December.