
On Saturday, July 5th, Festival Theatre will open the second production of its summer rotating repertory, joining the celebrated musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Currently in rehearsal, Almost, Maine by John Cariani will be staged in the Elbow Room, perfect for more intimate stories and smaller casts.
“I’m excited to be staging this play in Festival’s Elbow Room, our smaller, ground-level performance space,” says director Seth Kaltwasser. “Over the past few years, Festival has made significant progress in turning that space into a wonderful alternative performance venue and I think a play like Almost, Maine makes great use of the Elbow Room’s unique qualities. Because it’s a more intimate space, actors are allowed to play subtler, softer moments – creating an exciting experience for both actors and audience.”
A four-actor ensemble (featuring Kathryn Cesarz, Steven Czajkowski, Millicent Marter, and Paul Steffens) brings to life all citizens of and visitors to the fictional town of Almost, Maine. The series of vignettes take place one cold, clear, winter night as love is lost, found, and confounded for the people of Almost. Selected for inclusion in Smith and Kraus’ New Playwrights: Best Plays of 2006, the show has garnered much praise. “Wistful. Sweet, funny, and frequently touching... A gentle, satisfying evening,” states Examiner.com (Connecticut). “’Almost, Maine’ is now the ‘Our Town’ of the 21st century,” from The Troy (NY) Record.
Kaltwasser adds, “Our acting ensemble is hard at work rehearsing these scenes, and they are proving well-suited to the task of playing the hilarious comical moments, as well as the tender, quieter beats. I’m excited to share their work with an audience. There’s never been a better time to visit ‘Almost, Maine’.”
Tickets for Almost, Maine are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth ages five to eighteen. This show runs in rotating rep through August 17th, and is Flex Pass eligible for those who have or purchase a 2014 Flex Pass. Reservations for this and other summer productions, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and the Youth Conservatory production of The Frogs, opening later in July, can be made online here, by calling the box office at 715-483-3387, or emailing boxoffice@festivaltheatre.org.