ALMOST, MAINE Comes to The Cape Playhouse, 8/18-30

Almost, Maine, the popular romantic comedy, wraps up 88th season of The Cape Playhouse in Dennis. Written by John Cariani and directed by Skip Greer, Almost, Maine plays August 18 through 30.

A series of nine vignettes about love, in Almost, Maine, residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected, hilarious, heart-filled ways. This funny, New England romance features an exceptional ensemble of 4 actors playing 20 characters: Jessica Kitchens, Regan Thompson, Dave Mason, and Ron Menzel.

On a cold, moonless, midwinter night in Almost, Maine, residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected, hilarious, heart-filled 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. True love comes knocking. Will you answer? Will they? A funny, New England romance to remind you how love connects you to someone special.

Almost, Maine is directed by Skip Greer, Artist in Residence at Geva Theatre Center;, and features music composed by John Zeretzke. The design team includes Nicholas Dorr (scenic design), Amanda Doherty(costume design), and Christopher S. Chambers (lighting design).

John Cariani is an actor and playwright best known for his role as CSU Tech Julian Beck on television's Law & Order, and for his Tony-nominated performance as Motel the Tailor in the 2004 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof for which he received the Outer Critics' Circle Award and a Tony Award nomination. After establishing his career as a stage and screen actor, Cariani began his playwriting career in 2004 with Almost, Maine which debuted at the Portland Stage Company and was named one of the best plays of the year by The Wall Street Journal. In 2006, Almost, Maine opened off-Broadway and has since been produced by some 300 theatres all over the U.S., Mexico, Korea, Germany and Australia.

Playing August 18 through 30, performances are Monday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 pm and Saturdays at 3:30 pm. Tickets range from $21.50 to $81.00, and can be purchased at CapePlayhouse.com, at the Cape Playhouse Box Office (820 Main Street, Route 6A, Dennis, MA), or by phone at 508-385-3911.

About The Cape Playhouse - The non-profit Cape Playhouse was founded in 1927 by Californian Raymond Moore, who spent several summers in Provincetown painting scenery, writing plays and acting in local theatre. His vision, however, was to have a theatre of his own - a smart, sophisticated summer theatre, which would bring Broadway to Cape Cod. He purchased a 19th century former Unitarian Meeting House for $200, had it moved to 3 ½ acres of pasture land fronting the Old Kings Highway in Dennis, and converted it into a professional theatre. The Cape Playhouse has been kept true to its original structure - even the original pews still serve as seats. The opening performance on July 4, 1927 was The Guardsman, starring Basil Rathbone. Over the years, many big name stars from Broadway and the silver screen have acted there including Bette Davis (who first worked as an usher), Gregory Peck, Gertrude Lawrence, Lana Turner, Ginger Rogers, Humphrey Bogart, Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Julie Harris, Paulette Goddard - it's no wonder the Cape Playhouse is known as "The Birthplace of the Stars. Many young aspiring performers spent their summers here. In 1956, a young student was given a small part in The Male Animal, starring Henry Fonda (his daughter, Jane)! Today, most of the stars still come from Broadway, but it seems that almost every well-known star of stage, screen and TV has walked the stage of the Cape Playhouse.

Pictured: Regan Thompson and David Mason in Almost, Maine, playing August 18-30 at The Cape Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Ken Huth Photography.