Almost, Maine
Tillamook Association for the Performing Arts and TLC Federal Credit Union present John Cariani’s Almost, Maine. These nine stories of love in its myriad forms, both joyful and painful, are each set simultaneously on a cold, clear, moonless, slightly surreal Friday night in the middle of the deepest part of a northern Maine winter. All is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.
These tales of love in the time of frostbite include those of Pete and Ginette, a couple who have been dating for a little while; East, a repairman, and Glory, a hiker; Jimmy, a heating and cooling guy, Sandrine, his ex-girlfriend, and a salty waitress; Marvalyn, a woman who is very good at protecting herself, and Steve, an open, kind fellow whose brother protects him; Gayle and Lendall, longtime girlfriend and boyfriend; Randy and Chad, two “County boys”; Phil, a working man, and his hardworking wife, Marci; Hope, who has traveled the world, and a man who has not; and Rhonda, a tough woman, and Dave, the not-so-tough man who loves her. These nineteen characters are portrayed by six actors: Regina Eckles, Jeremy Gilhousen, Alex Lannin, Morgan Motsinger, TJ Newton, and Amy Rangel. The play is directed by Tami Taliaferro and produced by Robert Buckingham.
Performances will be held at the Barn Community Playhouse at 12th and Ivy in Tillamook at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from February 6 through February 21, with a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 15. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, and a family four-pack can be purchased for $35. Reservations and advanced ticket sales are available at Diamond Art Jewelers; call (503) 842-7940. Doors open one half hour prior to curtain.