When Kathleen Grenier was ten, her uncle, Paul G. Caron, was the music director for a musical called A New Home. He wrote the music for the original production, which was written by Michael Rosenthal, Richard Martin, and Lynne Gieger.
The show told the story of Lewiston, focusing on the French and Irish immigrants who came searching for opportunity and the struggles they faced while building a life there. Back then, Kathleen listened to the soundtrack on repeat, on CDs and old cassette tapes. She often imagined what it might feel like to be part of something so beautiful and special.
Thirty years later, her uncle decided to bring the show back. He adapted it for today, adding the stories of new Mainers who have made Lewiston their home. The show now spans from the 1900s to 2023 and serves as a living, breathing portrait of the city’s history.
One song honors the victims of the Lewiston shooting. It marks a moment of grief and unity that still echoes through the community. In that scene, the cast sings and American Sign Language Interpreters sign the lyrics.The tribute recognizes Lewiston’s Deaf community, who were deeply affected by the tragedy, and reminds everyone that every story has a place on the stage.
When Kathleen heard that A New Home was returning, she decided to step out of her comfort zone and audition with her sister. She was honored to receive a role in the ensemble, playing Geniene, a character that changes with each scene.
Sometimes, Kathleen is a face in the background, sometimes a voice in the crowd, but every moment feels meaningful. She never got to be part of the original show as a child, so for her, standing on that stage now feels like coming full circle. It’s as if she is reclaiming a dream that waited patiently for her through the years.
Kathleen says that performing in front of an audience for the first time was surreal. After months of rehearsing, she was surprised by how different showtime felt compared to all the weeks of practice that came before. She remembers distinctly how the audience went quiet on opening night.
She could faintly hear people shuffling in their seats as they waited in the darkness for the show to start. And when the blinding lights kicked on, Kathleen expected her nerves to take over. But they didn’t. Instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride.
Seeing people laugh, cry, and connect with the story reminds her of why she chose to do this. Why they all chose to do this: To bring people together, to remind them of where they come from, and to honor the ties that make a community whole.
Kathleen says she has always been a shy person, but this experience truly changed her. She made lifelong friends, found confidence she didn’t know she had, and learned that when you love something, like really love it, you shouldn’t hold back. Because when you take that leap, you’re not just telling a story. You’re becoming part of it.
“A New Home” is being performed at the Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre. The show began on October 30th, and the next performances are November 7th, and 8th at 7:30 PM, with a matinee on November 9th at 3 PM. Tickets and more information are available at https://www.laclt.com
