John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” Musical World Premiere is Right Here in Ogunquit, Maine

How cool is this?  The WORLD premiere of Small Town, the story of John Mellencamp's iconic music....  is happening at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine.

John Mellencamp is as American as apple pie and baseball.  He's a man of many talents.  Not only is he a rock star, he is also an accomplished painter.

John Mellencamp's Favorite Place to Be Might Not Be Where You Expect

John says that the art studio is his favorite place to be.  He says that he doesn't try to control the painting, he lets the painting invent itself.  I love this part of John's life story.  I paint too and I agree - the studio is my favorite place to be.

Now, this Renaissance man is heading to the theater with his play, "Small Town:  A John Mellencamp Musical."  I can't wait to see this play.  It's inspired and built around the songs of John's with the lead characters being THEE Jack & Diane.  For years, I've made up stories about the couple's future and now it seems that I may find out for real (or at least what's in John's head) what happened with them.

Those who grew up in the '80's feel like John Mellencamp and these two characters are part of our lives. The play will also feature "Hurts So Good," "Lonely Ol' Night," "Small Town," of course as well as "Jack & Diane."

The two main characters, Morgan Higgins and Dillon Klena who play Jack & Diane have serious Broadway cred.  Dillon played in Alanis Morrisette's Jagged Little Pill and Morgan played in Bad Cinderella.

READ THIS:  Check out these 14 NH Fall Festivals Perfect for an Autumn Weekend

Small Town runs at the Ogunquit Theater from October 1 - November 1, 2026.  Here's where you can get tickets. 

Since this the play's World Premiere, will John himself show up in Ogunquit?  One can only hope.