Almost, Maine

By John Cariani

Directed by Madison College faculty Miranda Hawk & Michael Lussenden and student Abigail Graf

Produced with special permission by Dramatists Play Service Inc.

Usually it’s the moon that causes magic in plays. But on this cold, clear, moonless night in the deep heart of winter it is the Northern Lights that are exerting their influence on the residents of Almost, Maine. Not so different than the many tiny communities that dot Northern Wisconsin, Almost, Maine is “not gonna be on your map, cause it’s not an actual town, technically.” But on this night, caught in the spell of the aurora borealis, the “normally very grounded” people of Almost, Maine, find themselves “very excited by love . . . and other extraordinary occurrences.”

In its Madison, Wisconsin, premiere, Madison College faculty Miranda Hawk and Mike Lussenden, along with student director Abigail Graf, are directing the Performing Art’s 2013-2014 season opener with a cast of nineteen student actors in nine vignettes exploring the mysteries, magic, pathos and humor of love.

Playwright James Cariani is himself a Tony Award®-nominated actor. Feeling that there was insufficient audition material for men, he wrote a number of vignettes based loosely on his childhood in Presque Isle, Maine, which evolved into the play Almost, Maine. While the play had only a brief Off-Broadway run in 2006, it has gone on to be one of the most-produced college and high school plays in recent years and has had numerous national and international professional productions.

What do the critics say?

“A beautifully structured play, with nifty surprise endings” [exploring the subject of] “falling in and out of love.” The New York Times, 2013

“Joyful, sad, and haunting. Delivers unexpected twists.” The Milwaukee Sentinal

“Almost, Maine explores the thunderclap of love and the scorched earth that sometimes follows.” The New York Times, 2006
“A charmer! Unexpected magic lingers in the air like some breath on a cold winter’s night. John Cariani aims for the heart by way of the funny bone.” New Jersey Star-Ledger
“Playful, romantic and smart.” AM New York

Produced by Madison College Performing Arts at Mitby Theater, Madison College, 1701 Wright Street, Madison. Free parking available for all Almost, Maine performances

Performances: November 1-10, 2013

Performance Times:
Friday, Nov. 1 & Saturday, Nov. 2 @7:30 pm; Sunday, Nov. 3 @ 2:00 pm
Friday, Nov. 8 & Saturday, Nov. 9 @7:30 pm; Sunday, Nov. 10 @ 2:00 pm

Ticket Prices: $13/adult, $11/ Senior Citizens, $9/Student

Call 608-243-4000 for reservations or more information.

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