Heartwood Theater Company is prepping for one of its most important, unique, and intriguing productions in 23 seasons of creating and producing theater, “The Machine Stops,” opening July 17 in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy. Based on E.M. Forster's 1909 short story, adapted by Griff Braley, "The Machine Stops" provides a startling look at the intersection of humanity and technology.

Forster's only science fiction work is a chilling tale, written in 1908, as a rebuttal to H.G. Wells’ quasi-novel, “A Modern Utopia.”  Forster set the story in the (then) futuristic world of 2030, and the themes are eerily apropos in 2026, as he predicted globalization, the Internet, and visual conferencing more than 100 years ago. 

The script explores potential dangers of over-reliance on technology and the subsequent isolation, alienation, and slipping away of human contact and what it means for mankind to be truly alive and connected to the natural world. The plot centers on the most basic human relationship – that of mother and son - attempting to find one another physically and spiritually, before the controlled mechanistic society grinds to a halt.

A strong cast of 15 plays a multitude of roles, most notably “The Machine" personified by an ensemble of nine.  With Sophia Scott’s original score, original movement guided by Niall Lessard, and a beautiful and sophisticated lighting and atmospheric design, “The Machine Stops” will be a 75-minute breathtaking experience and one to remember.

The cast: Emily Sue Barker, Soren Barker. Roosevelt Bishop. Honora  Boothby, Tim Cunningham, Jonah Daiute, Nanette Frasier, Natalie Friel, Tryston Lambert, Jay Morris Long, Joe Lugosch, Sophia Mansfield, Katelyn Prior, Rebecca Tomasello and Addison McCafferty.

One matinee performance and five evening performances are scheduled in the air-conditioned Poe Theater on the Lincoln Academy Campus: Saturday matinee on July 18 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 pm performances July 17-18 and 23-25. 

Tickets are $5/students through college and $30/all adults.  Reservations recommended by emailing info@heartwoodtheater.org or phoning Heartwood at 563-1373.

Heartwood’s 23rd season is sponsored by Bath Savings Institution.  Student tickets are kept to a very low $5, through the sponsorship of Moody’s Diner and First National Wealth Management.