Redhouse Arts Center Present ALMOST MAINE

Redhouse starts the new year off with its production of the Off-Broadway hit, Almost Maine written Broadway actor and writer John Cariani. The show will run from January 24th - February 9th at its theater complex at City Center. Almost Maine is actually a play comprised of nine different stories, each focused on a different set of characters who are all connected by the magical town in which they reside. Join this group of delightfully quirky friends, lovers and strangers played by six versatile actors as they encounter a magical mid-winters dream. This cozy comedy, is sure to warm your heart even during the cold Syracuse winter!

Set in the mythical town of Almost, Maine, this delightful romantic comedy creatively delves into the vast mysteries of the human heart with laughter, heartbreak and hope, making it clear why this play is one of the most produced in America. Hunter Foster, new Artistic Director of Redhouse Arts Center recently commented "I am so proud for Redhouse to present the Syracuse community one of the theatre's most popular romantic comedies, written by my friend and colleague, John Cariani. It's the perfect show to remind us what's most important in life: the love and connection of another human being."

On a cold, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above Almost. Residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. Love is lost, found, and confounded. But The Bruises heal and the hearts mend - almost - in this enchanting midwinter night's dream.

Comic genius Steve Hayes returns to Redhouse to make his directorial debut. Last season he dazzled audiences with his performance of La Cage Aux Folles for which he was a SALT Award Nominee and his on-man show Raised by Warner Brothers, Born in Syracuse. Prior to that, he performed in Redhouse's productions of Beauty and the Beast and Six Degrees of Separation.

Redhouse has once again put together a very talented cast to perform. The various couples will be played by actresses Laura Austin, Lilli Komurek and Alyssa Otoski-Keim along with actors John Bixler, Basil Allen and Derek Emerson Powell. Audience favorite Laura Austin returns to Redhouse and was most recently seen on the Redhouse stage in Six Degrees of

Separation and The Little Dog Laughed which she received a SALT award for Leading Actress in a Play. Another Redhouse favorite John Bixler also returns after most recently performing in On Golden Pond and Six Degrees of Separation. Lilli Komurek also returns to Redhouse where she previously performed in Big Fish (Sandra Bloom; SALT nomination), The Secret Garden, Make Me a Song, and Into the Woods, among others. Alyssa Ashley Otoski-Keim will and Derek Emerson Powell will make their Redhouse Arts Center debuts along with Basil Allen who makes his Redhouse MainStage debut. Alyssa Ashley Otoski-Keim most recent performances include A Midsummer Night's Dream with Auburn Players, Hamlet and Mousetrap with CNY Playhouse, Merry Wives of Windsor with Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park, and Dracula Baldwinsville Theater Group. Derek Emerson Powell also has performed locally. Most recently, Derek found himself rapidly switching costumes, postures, and dialects as "Man" in A Perfect Ganesh at Center for the Arts in Homer. Other favorites include 1984, Into the Woods, Eurydice and Hunchback of Notre Dame at Baldwinsville Theatre Group. Basil Allen also has been very involved in the local theater scene working with Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park for more than ten years including acting in several roles and directing As You Like It in 2017.

Production crew includes Production Technical Director Joshua Bergman, Lighting Designer Marie Yokoyama, Set Design by Shane Cinal, Sound Design by Anthony Vadala, Costume Designer Donnie Williams, Stage Manager Margot Reed and Josh Reid, Master Electrician.

Almost Maine runs from January 24th - February3rd at Redhouse Arts Center located at 400. South Salina Street. On site, paid parking is available in the attached garage on Clinton Street. For tickets and information on Almost Maine, call the Redhouse Arts Center box office at (315) 362-2785 or visit www.theredhouse.org. Almost Maine sponsors include Season Sponsor: Pathfinder Bank, Show Sponsor: OneGroup and Media Sponsor: Galaxy Communications.