A Staged Reading of 'Almost, Maine' by John Cariani

Event Details

Join the Staples Players and David Roth’s Theatre 3 Advanced acting class for a whimsical, funny, and poignant evening. On a clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not what it seems in the remote town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways.

After the production, playwright John Cariani will be on hand for a brief Q&A session.

Why You Should Come

This staged reading spotlights the remarkable talent of Westport's rising stars, directed by longtime Players David Roth and Kerry Long. Stripped down to the heart of the original piece, the Players promise a performance filled with humor, tenderness, and quiet revelations. Come and be reminded of just how magical live theater can be.

About Almost, Maine

A woman carries her heart, broken into nineteen pieces, in a small paper bag. A man shrinks to half his former size, after losing hope in love. A couple keep the love they have given each other in large red bags, or compress the mass into the size of a diamond. These playful and surreal experiences are commonplace in the world of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine, where on one deeply cold and magical Midwinter Night, the citizens of Almost -- not organized enough for a town, too populated for a wilderness -- experience the life-altering power of the human heart. Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. Propelled by the mystical energy of the aurora borealis and populated with characters who are humorous, plain-spoken, thoughtful, and sincere, Almost, Maine is a series of loosely connected tales about love, each with a compelling couple at its center, each with its own touch of sorcery.

About the Staples Players

The Staples Players, Staples High School’s own theatrical troupe, was founded in 1959, in part by Emmy-award-winning actor Christopher Lloyd of Back to the Future fame. Since its inception, the troupe’s core belief in students’ ability to deliver professional stage productions has facilitated numerous critically acclaimed and award-winning performances, including original productions like Soldier, Soldier and War & Pieces, two student-written, anti-war dramas — the latter of which was featured in a United Nations traveling exhibit.

Graduates of Staples High School themselves, co-directors David Roth and Kerry Long have spearheaded the Staples Players for more than 20 years, with 60 productions under their direction. They attribute the Staples Players’ high-quality showmanship to the ongoing support of Westport’s community and their wholehearted involvement in the arts. From honing the art of acting, to developing leadership skills, to fostering teamwork and collaboration, the Staples Players has been a cornerstone of Westport education for 65 years.

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