Stage East’s spring production, Panopticon, premieres this month in the Eastport Arts Center’s downstairs space. The show, an irreverent history of the prison system, is written and directed by Stage East’s executive artistic director, Mark Macey and based off the work of French philosopher Michel Foucault.

Challenged to describe the show in one word, the cast of four came up with these descriptors: “Thought-provoking” (Rosalie Woodward); “Pun-ishing” (Brian Schuth); “Outrageous” (Lindy Weston); and “Scorching” (Damon Weston).

In an extended three-week run, performances will begin the weekend of March 17-19 and continue the weekends of March 24-26 and March 31-April 2. All performances will take place at 7 pm; there are no matinees. Opening weekend (March 17-19) is offered at a discount of $11 per ticket. The second and third weekends will be $16 a ticket.

Seating is extremely limited and patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online at stageeast.org. Panopticon deals with adult themes and includes descriptions of graphic violence and strong language.