John Mellencamp Musical Small Town to Make World Premiere at Ogunquit Playhouse

[CJRochester]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 5:50pm

I'm not sure what to think about this. On one hand it sounds like a typical jukebox musical, milking another pop star's music catalog. On the other hand I love the Ogunquit Playhouse and have traveled to see many shows there. They usually do extremely good work. 

The new John Mellencamp musical Small Town will make its world premiere in Maine, during the Ogunquit Playhouse's forthcoming 94th season. Kathleen Marshall will direct the new jukebox musical. 

The new musical follows Jack and Diane, two star-crossed lovers refusing to let the world break them or bury their youthful fire. Through the echoes of “Hurts So Good,” “Lonely Ol’ Night,” “Small Town,” and “Jack and Diane,” audiences will witness a multigenerational community at a crossroads, making tough choices in a desperate bid for a better life.

https://playbill.com/article/john-mellencamp-musical-small-town-to-make-world-premiere-at-ogunquit-playhouse

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 6:13pm

From the synopsis alone, I feel like this could have been a perfect fit for a pop-rock ballet format in the vein of MOVIN' OUT or ILLINOISE. 

Under a different director, too... Marshall does not have a good track record with new musicals.