On the Stanley Subaru Stage

Directed by Stehpanie Bradshaw, Music Direction by Sky Kust

Pay What You Whish Dress Rehearsal - Thursday, October 8 7:00pm

Performances: Friday, October 9 7:00pm, Saturday, October 10 7:00pm, Sunday, October 11 2:00pm, Thursday, October 15 7:00pm, Friday, October 16 7:00pm, Saturday, October 17 7:00pm, Sunday, October 18 2:00pm, Friday, October 23 7:00pm, Saturday, October 24 7:00pm, Sunday, October 25 2:00pm

James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece... and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching. The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. One of Sondheim's most popular works, Into the Woods is a musically sophisticated show with the opportunity to feature actors adept at dark comedy. 

$28 Adults, $25 Early Birds/Grand Members, $15 Students (17&under) Reserved Seating

Sponsored by First National Bank

Costume Sponsor - Arlyn Whitelaw, in loving memory of Marilyn Whitelaw whose talent for making wonderful costumes was limitless

Set Sponsor - Hammond Lumber

A fundraiser for The Grand & DEFY

Thursday, October 29 6pm - 9pm

Friday, October 30 7pm - 10pm

Saturday, October 31 6pm - 10pm

This immersive haunted house experience transforms The Grand into a dark and chilling storybook filled with creepy characters, eerie scenes, unexpected scares and plenty of spine-tingling surprises. Enter if you dare…but beware: these aren’t the fairytales you remember.

$12 Adults, $8 Students 10-17) 

Not recommended for children under 10

*Students show your school ID and receive a $3 discount at the door

On the Stanley Subaru Stage

7:00pm

Griffin William Sherry & his friends bring their unique blend of folk, country, and rock & roll back to The Grand! Inspired by his rural Maine roots, he continues to bring together a signature style of visceral, masterful songwriting and powerhouse performance all his own. In 2011, he founded the band The Ghost of Paul Revere, capturing the hearts and minds of countless fans with a series of acclaimed albums and years of touring both nationally and internationally. He established his own Maine music festival in 2014, performed on Conan, and garnered millions of streams across all platforms. In 2019, his song The Ballad of the 20th Maine became the official Maine State Ballad, securing The Ghost of Paul Revere's place in Maine music history.

 In fall of 2024, Griffin released his debut solo album, Hundred Mile Wilderness. Recorded in Nashville, at the famous Sound Emporium Studios with acclaimed producer Eddie Spear, and featuring ten all new, all original songs that further expand on Griffin’s extensive and beloved catalog of music. The first single “Reflections”, released June 26th, 2024, is, as Griffin puts it, “a song about confronting big changes in your life and having to stare down the idea of who you were in order to discover who you want to be”.His latest singles both embody the spirit of collaboration. Cathedral of Pine, written in conjunction with the PODSONGS podcast and Maine-based writer Jenna Rozzelle, blends dark, cinematic folk and pounding synths with a tale of hunter and prey set deep in the North Woods. Cross the Bridge was co-written with acclaimed New England playwright and screenwriter, Ernest Thompson, for his newest movie The Constituent.

 *recorded live OCTOBER 17

The season opens with hair-raising drama and spectacular singing as two of opera’s most extraordinary artists star in Macbeth, Verdi’s thrilling take on the immortal Shakespearean tale of the scheming couple determined to seize power at any cost. Following past triumphs in many of Verdi’s signature baritone roles, Quinn Kelsey is the Scottish king haunted by the ghosts of his murderous ascent to the throne, opposite Lise Davidsen—the world’s reigning dramatic soprano— as the power-mad Lady Macbeth, whose ruinous ambition damns them both. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium for a penetrating production by Louisa Proske, a brilliant young director making waves around the world. Rounding out the all-star cast are tenor Freddie De Tommaso as the heroic Macduff and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as Macbeth’s friend-turned victim Banquo.

ESTIMATED RUN TIME 2 HRS 30 MINS (ONE INTERMISSION)

On the Stanley Subaru Stage

Studio Two is New England’s premier tribute to the early Beatles era (1962–1966). Based in Boston, we've been performing since 2012, bringing to life the look, sound, and energy of The Beatles' formative years — from the Cavern Club to their first U.S. tours. The shows are high-energy, family-friendly, and perfect for community concert series, theaters, and festivals. With vintage instruments, tailored suits, and authentic arrangements, Studio Two delivers a crowd-pleasing experience that captures the spirit of Beatlemania.

$30 Advance, $35 At the Door General Admission

A GRAND holiday tradition

On the Stanley Subaru Stage

Saturday, 1:00pm & 6:30pm, Sunday, 2:00pm

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is an enchanting holiday tradition perfect for audiences of all ages. The story of Clara and her magical toy continues to inspire and it is brought to magical life in this full production featuring choreography of the Robinson Ballet.

$18 Adults, $12 Youth (12 & under) Reserved Seating

Sponsored by Ellsworth Jewelers

On the Stanley Subaru Stage

Directed by Kimberly Fitch, Music Direction by Stephanie Bradshaw

*Pay What You Wish Final Dress Rehearsal -Wednesday, 7:00pm

Thursday & Friday, 7:00pm, Saturday, 11:00am

The classic animated television special A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. 

$15Adults, $10 Youth (12 & under) General Admission

Sponsored by Maine Savings Federal Credit Union

On the Stanley Subaru Stage

Directed by Ashley Terwilliger, Music Direction by Sky Kust

Friday, December 11, 7:00pm, Saturday, December 12 7:00pm, Sunday, December 13, 2:00pm

Thursday, December 17 7:00pm, Friday, December 18 7:00pm, Saturday, December 19 2:00pm, Sunday, December 20 2:00pm

In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.

Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.

$28 Adults, $25 GRAND Members/Early Birds, $18 Students (17&under) Reserved Seating

Sponsored by First National Bank

Vacation Film: Toy Story 5 3D

1:00pm Daily

Toy Story 5 follows Jessie, Woody, Buzz, and the gang as they confront Lilypad—Bonnie’s new frog‑shaped smart tablet—which begins replacing traditional play, pushing the toys into a conflict involving lost toys, high‑tech Buzz Lightyears, and Jessie’s past with her former owner Emily. Animation/Adventure · 1h 42m · PG 

$1 General Admission

Sponsored by The City of Ellsworth

*recorded live DECEMBER 5

Sacred, scandalous, and irresistibly alluring, Saint-Saëns’s spectacular take on the biblical hero of legendary strength and the seductive Philistine whose beauty overpowers him returns in the Met’s larger-than-life production. Featuring a massive orchestra and chorus and some of opera’s most spellbinding tunes, this masterpiece of French grand opera is a feast for the eyes and ears, with an electrifying cast led by the formidable star pairing of mezzo soprano Aigul Akhmetshina and tenor Clay Hilley, who makes a notable company debut.

ESTIMATED RUN TIME: 3 HRS 35 MINS (TWO INTERMISSIONS)

Post-Holiday Show

On the Stanley Subaru stage

Saturday, January 9th

8:00pm

Maine’s Own Comedian Bob Marley makes his return to the Stanley Subaru Stage at The Grand in Ellsworth January 9, 2026 – A Grand Tradition!

$42.50 Reserved Seating

*recorded live JANUARY 23

On New Year’s Eve 2026, Puccini’s exhilarating drama of the Wild West returns in a new staging by celebrated British director Richard Jones, marking the company’s first new production of La Fanciulla del West in more than 30 years. Soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė makes an important Met debut as the larger-than-life Minnie, the tough tavern owner with a heart of gold who finds love when she least expects it. Tenor SeokJong Baek is the dashing bandit who rambles into the remote California mining town to steal her heart, opposite baritone Christopher Maltman as the lawman determined to deliver rough justice—and win Minnie for himself. Maestro Keri-Lynn Wilson takes the podium to conduct one of opera’s most action-packed adventures.

ESTIMATED RUN TIME: 3 HRS (ONE INTERMISSION)

Prepare to be thunderstruck as Stanley Subaru Stage hosts an unforgettable evening of high-voltage rock with Noise Pollution - The AC/DC Experience on February 26, 2027, at 7:00 PM. Known for their electrifying stage presence, Noise Pollution captures the raw power and authentic sound of AC/DC, offering fans an exhilarating night of iconic hits and bone-rattling riffs that pay homage to the rock legends.

*recorded live MARCH 20

Following his smash-hit company debut with The Hours, composer Kevin Puts returns to the Met with his Pulitzer Prize–winning first opera, inspired by the true events of the 1914 Christmas truce, when soldiers spontaneously set aside the horrors of the First World War and crossed the trenches to mingle, exchange gifts, and sing carols with the enemy. A poignant depiction of shared humanity in the most inhumane circumstances, Puts’s grand, cinematic opera—with a libretto by Mark Campbell based on the film Joyeux Noël—has been widely acclaimed since its 2011 premiere, hailed as “an overwhelming emotive experience” by The Guardian. Silent Night receives an evocative staging by James Robinson that takes the audience directly to the battlefields of the Western Front. The star-studded cast, featuring soprano Elza van den Heever and tenors Ben Bliss and Rolando Villazón, among many others, is conducted by debuting maestro Dalia Stasevska.

ESTIMATED RUN TIME: 3 HRS (ONE INTERMISSION)

*recorded live APRIL 3

Following her radiant turn in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette— which garnered raves for “high notes that spun like liquid gold … Sierra touched the operatic firmament” (The New York Times)—superstar soprano Nadine Sierra takes on another alluring French heroine, the irresistible title character of Massenet’s passionate drama. Leading tenor Matthew Polenzani is her idealistic lover, the Chevalier des Grieux, with rising-star baritone Andrzej Filończyk as her stalwart cousin, Lescaut, in a breathtaking Belle Époque staging by director Laurent Pelly.

ESTIMATED RUN TIME: 3 HRS 55 MINS (TWO INTERMISSIONS)

 *recorded live APRIL 24

Two of today’s leading dramatic tenors—Michael Fabiano and Brian Jagde—take on the tour-de-force title role of what many consider the ultimate Italian opera, Verdi’s monumental Shakespearean tragedy. Beloved sopranos Angel Blue and Ailyn Pérez make their company role debuts as the long-suffering Desdemona, alongside baritones Amartuvshin Enkhbat and Artur Ruciński as the sinister Iago. Daniele Rustioni and Michele Mariotti lead the full forces of the Met Orchestra and Chorus in the exhilarating score.

ESTIMATED RUN TIME: 2 HRS 55 MINS (ONE INTERMISSION)