It’s beautiful, haunting and deep. It’s polished, nuanced and compelling. It’s artistry on stage and absolutely unlike anything else to be experienced in Maine theater this summer.

In a single moment, one’s world can spin and spiral out of control. For Jim Cullen and the people of small-town Mapleton, northern Maine, 1873, that moment revolved around a pair of boots stolen from the local general store. From that moment comes the legend. From the legend comes Heartwood Theater’s original dramatic musical, “The Legend of Jim Cullen.”

From the premiere performance last summer, grew a thrilling, new collaboration between Heartwood’s Artistic Director and Playwright Griff Braley and Composer/Director/Musician, Aaron Robinson. Through months of digesting audience feedback and directorial notes, rewriting of script and dialogue, creating new music and lyrics, Braley and Robinson have developed a full scale dramatic musical with 30 Broadway-style numbers, delivered by a deep, strong cast from around the country.

Act 1 fairly bolts from the gate and gallops through dynamic storytelling, staged spectacle and a delightful, musical score. A chilling narrative unfolds, as Jim Cullen becomes the only man to be lynched, in the recorded history of New England — a difficult story, with no easy answers.  Act 2 settles down upon the questions, bringing another round of compelling music and dialogue. The final scenes are visually and auditory stunning, leaving audiences gasping for a moment of breath, before applauding.

If you’re hankering to sink your teeth into some meaty, compelling musical theater this summer, better make reservations now, for “The Legend of Jim Cullen.”

Remaining performances, in the air conditioned Parker B. Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, are on Thursday, July 31, Friday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $22 adults/$8 students. Get yours at boxoffice@heartwoodtheater.org or by calling 207-563-1373.