One of the most inspiring stories you’ve likely never heard is about a woman who went for a walk and ended up completing the Appalachian Trail.

In 1955, 67-year-old Emma Gatewood, of Ohio, got the idea to walk the entire AT from reading a National Geographic article in a waiting room. She took a hand-sewn duffel bag carrying minimal supplies and a pair of Keds sneakers, and covered more than 2,000 miles from Georgia to Mount Katahdin. It took her 146 days.

At the end, Gatewood became the first woman to solo-hike the storied trail. Gatewood later completed the Appalachian Trail a second time and also tackled the Oregon Trail.

A stage version of Gatewood’s story is being performed this month at The Public Theatre in Lewiston starting Friday. The Public Theatre production features veteran Maryland actress Brigid Cleary and is directed by Lewiston’s Janet Mitchko. Both women share a deep admiration for Gatewood, even though they didn’t know her story beforehand.

Mitchko read the script sent by playwright Catherine Bush, which ends at the top of Mount Katahdin. This was the “perfect icing on the top,” said Mitchko.

Gatewood came from an abusive family and endured a difficult marriage riddled with domestic violence. In the play, she recalls a scene from Tennessee Williams’ play “A Streetcar Named Desire,” when Blanche DuBois says, “I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.”

The line struck a chord with Mitchko and informed her decision to bring the play to Maine. Gatewood often had to rely on the kindness of strangers who put her up for a night and helped her on her journey.

“I want to put that message out in the world, especially now. Trust the kindness of strangers to bring out the best in each other and ourselves,” Mitchko said.

Mitchko said “Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk” is a personal narrative about believing in and reclaiming oneself. In one of the play’s most powerful moments, Cleary’s Gatewood stands at the top of Mount Katahdin and declares, “I ain’t nothing.”

Mitchko’s search to find the right actor to play Gatewood ended when she watched Cleary’s audition tape. “She has a phenomenal life force and heart as a performer,” Mitchko said.

Director and star connected almost immediately. When Cleary arrived in Maine last month to start rehearsals, she quickly took to Mitchko’s way of working.

“You get up on your feet and just crank it out,” she said.

Rather than a practice space, rehearsals were done onstage from the start, and Mitchko said she knew then that casting Cleary was the right decision. Gatewood speaks directly to the audience often, so a rapport with them is essential.

“Brigid has that in spades, with all of her humor and warmth and depth and complexity,” Mitchko said.

Cleary said portraying Gatewood presented a few challenges, starting with a 110-page script in which she appears on every page. Actor Robert Pescovitz, of Los Angeles, plays multiple characters in Gatewood’s life.

“It’s the greatest gift to me,” she said, “a chance for me to prove I’m not too old for this and I’m loving just sinking my teeth into it.”

IF YOU GO:

‘Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk,’ May 8- 17. The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., Lewiston, $35, $20 35 and under, $15 youth (12-18). thepublictheatre.org.