LEWISTON — “Fall is officially here, which means it’s time for The Public Theatre’s 2018-19 season to begin!” Christopher Schario, artistic director of Lewiston/Auburn’s professional theater, said.

The theatre’s reputation for producing must-see professional theatre continues with a new season that includes a recent Broadway hit and several new plays performed by Broadway veterans.

The theatre begins its season with the delightful romantic comedy “Things My Mother Taught Me,” Oct. 19-28. When a young couple takes the “next step” and moves into their first apartment together, both sets of parents “drop by” from 800 miles away to help them unpack. Is an unfurnished two-bedroom apartment big enough to hold the love, laughter, wisdom and worry of four parents? Funny and touching, this comedy will make you laugh out loud and fall in love all over again.

Maine’s funniest woman, Ida LeClair, will present her new show “Makin’ Whoopie! Ida LeClair’s Guide to Love & Marriage” on Nov. 9-11. Created and performed by Susan Poulin, she offers a fresh view on love, marriage and dating with a delightful mix of sassy stories and common-sense advice. Spending time with Ida is like catching up with a wise old friend with a wicked good sense of humor.

The holiday season is ushered in with The Public Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 14, 15 and 16. Rediscover the magic of theatre when six actors and a fiddler perform the Dickens’ out of this classic story, bringing it to life in a way never imagined.

The theatre will ring in the new year and shake off the winter blues with the hilarious new comedy “Human Error” playing Jan. 25 to Feb. 3, 2019. A blundering fertility doctor mistakenly implants the embryo of a latte-sipping liberal couple into the womb of an NRA cardholding conservative family.

Prepare for an outrageously funny nine months as both couples attempt to become friends for the good of the child. It’s the East Coast premiere of this provocative and smart new comedy that asks the timely question, “Will our similarities ever outweigh our differences?”

The arrival of spring brings the recent Broadway hit “A Doll’s House, Part 2” on  March 15-24, 2019. Henrik Ibsen’s Nora returns 15 years later to the front door she famously slammed against the limiting expectations marriage placed on women. Prior knowledge of “A Doll’s House” isn’t necessary to understand and relate to this entertaining, smart, funny and provocative contemporary sequel acclaimed as the best play of the 2017 Broadway season.

New love blooms May 3-12, 2019, with the Maine premiere of “Fireflies,” a humorous and hopeful love story for feisty women from the author of the play “Enchanted April.” For anyone who has gotten used to being on their own, falling in love can feel a bit disruptive.

Eleanor is a strong woman of a certain age who enjoys the comfort of her routines. But when a charming drifter comes knocking at her door, can the sparks of a late-life romance be trusted, or is there no fool like an old one? Directed by two-time Tony winner Judith Ivey, it stars Broadway veterans Peter Friedman, Caitlin O’Connell and Jennifer Harmon.

The season ends May 19, 2019, with “The Legend of the Banana Kid,” a special production for children and their families from the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers. Last year, their delightful production of “Everybody Loves Pirates” sold out.

The presentation is perfect for children ages 4 and older. Chucky heads to the Wild West to outwit outlaws in this cowboy adventure. Armed with a fistful of bananas, Chucky rides into town on his trusty goat for a showdown with Big Bad Bart and his gang of bandits.

The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers have received three Citations of Excellence from Union Internationale de la Marionnette-USA, the highest national award in puppetry.

The Public Theatre presents morning matinees of most of their productions as part of their educational outreach and student matinee program. Study Guides for each show will be available at thepublictheatre.org.

The theatre will continue its free pre-show beer and wine tastings in the lobby for opening night and Thursday night performances of subscription shows as well as “Makin’ Whoopie!”

Opening night Brew HaHa beer tastings, compliments of Baxter Brewing, will start at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19, and Jan. 25, March 15 and May 3, 2019. “Wine-Down Thursday,” courtesy of Roopers and The Vault, will be held Oct. 25 and Jan. 31, March 21 and May 9, 2019, with a special Wine-Down Friday on Nov 9.

Season subscriptions are on sale. Individual tickets, gift certificates, morning school-day student matinee performances and group rates for parties of 10 or more are available for all productions. Tickets are $20 for adults; $5 for those 5 to 18 years old.

For more information or show times visit www.thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200. The theatre is at 31 Maple St.

Season underwriters are Platz Associates, Sun Journal, Austin Associates, Maine Magazine and Gleason Media Services.

Two-time Tony Award-winner Judith Ivey will direct “Fireflies,” a humorous and hopeful love story for feisty women, at The Public Theatre in Lewiston on May 3-12, 2019.