This Saturday, July 5th, Festival Theatre will open the critically acclaimed romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani. Written in 2002, this show is surprising, whimsical and sweet, perfect for a date night or an uplifting evening with friends. An Afterglow gathering will follow for opening night attendees, sponsored by board member Allen Olson and his wife Sarah.

“Almost, Maine” opened Off Broadway in the winter of 2005/2006 at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York. Since then, media outlets have offered much praise, saying: “A fresh, off-beat comedy. ‘Almost, Maine’ scores with ironic poignancy. [The play] has an ‘Our Town’ sensibility... seasoned by situations and dialogue more reminiscent of Cicely, Alaska (‘Northern Exposure’) than of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire,” from The Syracuse Post-Standard. Also, “Comedic and touching. Love’s successes, failures, and tentative first steps unfurl delightfully in ‘Almost, Maine’,” said the Twin Cities Daily Planet.

Now one of the most frequently produced shows of the past decade, “Almost, Maine” transports the audience to the fictional town of Almost. One cold, clear Friday night in the middle of winter, while the northern lights hover in the sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. Love is lost, found, and confounded. And life for the people of Almost, Maine will never be the same. It’s love. But not quite.

TucsonStage.com declared the show, “Wistful, amusing, warm, sweet-natured and sometimes melancholy. It is impossible not to be charmed by ‘Almost, Maine’.”

The cast of Festival Theatre’s production features guest artists Kathryn Cesarz, Steven Czajkowski, Millicent Marter, and Paul Steffens, portraying a variety of citizens of and visitors to Almost, Maine in a collection of intertwining vignettes.

Festival is utilizing a talented and proven production crew for this show with Seth Kaltwasser, Director and Sound Design; Jaclyn June Johnson, Scenic Design; Laura Seed, Properties Design; Andrew Benson, Costume Design; Stephen Pearce, Lighting Design; Fizz Kizer and Bill Hallanger, Set Construction; and Miles Ruona, Peter Weber and Barbie Luepke, Stage Management.

Tickets for “Almost, Maine” are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth ages five to eighteen. Opening night audience members are invited to stay afterward for the Afterglow party. 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 show can be made online HERE, by calling the box office at 715-483-3387, or emailing boxoffice@festivaltheatre.org.

Next Up: Contemporary Drama in “Almost, Maine”

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.

Celebrating its 25th season of producing professional theatre with an Opening of the Season Garden Party on Saturday, June 21st, Festival Theatre patrons were treated to food, dance and a tremendous performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres were served in the street level Elbow Room, with pre-show entertainment provided by Beyond the Rhythm & Friends, plus Amy Danielson & the Belly Lab Apprentices. Representatives of the Miss St. Croix Falls Royalty were on hand to participate in the fun, along with current and former board members, actors, patrons, theatre staff and volunteers.

"This show has so much energy and the Garden Party ignited that before the audience made it to their seats," states General Manager Pam Fuchs.

Festival Theatre would like to thank the many people and businesses who helped make this party a success: Connie's Cakes, Eichten's Hidden Acres, gfGoodies, LoveTree Farms, MarketPlace Foods, Treasure Alley, and our many volunteers including Marcie Marquardt and M.J. Savaiano.

Opening weekend audiences were thrilled with the high-energy, powerful performances of the 2014 summer company. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, from the book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, is based on the ancient plays of Plautus, and features music written by Stephen Sondheim. A raucous mix of mistaken identity, invented maladies, and mischief, Forum won the original production Tony awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. The show runs in rotating rep now through August 16th.

“Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!” Who can resist that invitation, penned by the famous Broadway songwriter Stephen Sondheim? Festival Theatre invites everyone to see the riotous musical comedy “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” opening this weekend with four performances on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, June 19th, 21st and 22nd.

Boasting a memorable set and a strong cast of energetic actors with powerful singing voices, Festival’s production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” promises to transport willing audiences to a street in ancient Rome for a bawdy farcical adventure sprinkled with burlesque adult humor, and delivered with enough fun and innocence to keep things appropriate for most ages. A favorite since its Broadway debut in 1962, the show, written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, won several Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Musical. The story was made into a film in 1966, starring Zero Mostel in the lead role of Pseudolus.

Guest Artist Joseph Pyfferoen plays the role of Pseudolus in the Festival Theatre production, which also includes Stephen Pearce as Senex, Deanna Davis as Domina, Jerry Kurek as Hero, Andrew Bradford Benson as Hysterium, Ed Moersfelder as Erronius, Isaac Bont as Miles Gloriosus, Jaclyn Johnson as Lycus, and Millicent Marter as Hero’s love interest, Philia. The cast is rounded out by Kathryn Cesarz, Steven Czajkowski, Gregory Hilleren, Kayla Marie Klammer, Madelyn Lego, and Paul Steffens.

Along with Artistic Director Jaclyn Johnson, the production team is comprised of Mark Baer as director, Neil Powell as musical director, Peter Weber as stage manager/sound design, Kim Murphy in costume design, Fizz Kizer as scenic carpenter, Stephen Pearce in lighting design, Laura Seed in properties, Andrew Bradford Benson as choreographer, David Markson in scenic design, and George Free as percussionist.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens Thursday, June 19th with two performances, 2:00 and 7:30 pm, and runs in rotating rep through August 16th. Other events and calendar dates to note are as follows: The Fiddle Masters with Brian Wicklund take the stage Friday, June 20th at 8:00 pm, the Opening of the Season Garden Party will celebrate the commencement of Festival’s 25th season on Saturday, June 21st at 6:00 pm and Sew Good Improv returns with Friday night comedy on June 27th, following Music on the Overlook. Corporate sponsors for the 2014 Theatre Series are Amery Regional Medical Center, Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard, Edina Realty, RCU, and Thrivent Financial.

 Tickets for “Forum” are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth. This production is Flex Pass eligible and discounted rates are also available for groups of ten or more. Reservations can be made HERE.

The newly arrived guest artists are rehearsing and Festival Theatre will soon open its 25th season of professional theatre with that riotous romp through Rome, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” The production opens Thursday, June 19th and will run in rotating repertory until August 16th.

A cast of fifteen theatre arts professionals brings this musical to life under the direction of Mark Baer, complete with dance numbers choreographed by Andrew Bradford Benson and musical direction by returning guest artist Neil Powell. 

"I couldn't hope for a better group of artists to embark on this production with.  They are energetic, playful, smart, and ready to work hard,” says Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Jaclyn Johnson. “And in the hands of one of my favorite directors, Mark Baer, I feel confident that our production will be every bit as fun, ambitious and hilarious as the script implies."

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, is based on the plays of Plautus. Music for the original production was written by Stephen Sondheim, also famous for the music of “Company,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sunday in the Park with George” and “Into the Woods.” As the story goes, Pseudolus, a slave in Ancient Greece played by actor Joseph Pyfferoen, is dead set on gaining his freedom through whatever means necessary. When his master leaves on a trip, his master’s son, Hero, played by Jerry Kurek, presents Pseudolus with a deal: help him win the hand of Philia (Millicent Marter), a beautiful courtesan currently betrothed to a war hero, and he will give Pseudolus his freedom. What ensues is a raucous mix of mistaken identity, invented maladies, and mischief that won the original production Tony awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical.

Veteran director Mark Baer always feels at home when returning to Festival.  In addition to serving as Managing Directing in 2002-05, Mark directed the recent Festival productions of “To Fool the Eye,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” and “Man of La Mancha.” Originally from Ohio, Baer holds an MFA in Directing from Illinois State University.  He is currently Assistant Professor of Acting and Directing at Indiana University Northwest, where he has recently produced and directed “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl, “Dracula” by Steven Dietz, and “The Miser” by Moliere.  He is a founding member of Gary Shakespeare Company, where he will be directing “Twelfth Night” later this summer. 

Of working again with Johnson and the creative team at Festival Theatre, Baer says, “Jaclyn’s skill as a casting director is one of the things that makes directing at Festival a joy. She is excellent at assembling a company of lovely people whose talents precisely match the challenges of the play at hand.” 

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens Thursday, June 19th with two performances, 2:00 and 7:30 pm. Other events and calendar dates to note are as follows: Sew Good Improv begins this Friday, June 6th at 9:00 pm following Music on the Overlook;  “Ole & Lena’s 50th Wedding Anniversary and Vow Renewal” will be presented during Wannigan Days on Saturday, June 14th at 2:00 and 7:30 pm; The Fiddle Masters with Brian Wicklund take the stage Friday, June 20th at 8:00 pm, and the Opening of the Season Garden Party will celebrate the commencement of Festival’s 25th season on Saturday, June 21st at 6:00 pm. Corporate sponsors for the 2014 Theatre Series are Amery Regional Medical Center, Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard, Edina Realty, RCU, and Thrivent Financial.

Tickets for Forum are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth. This production is Flex Pass eligible and discounted rates are available for groups of ten or more.