PA Playhouse Presents ALMOST, MAINE, to Close 12/22

As we enter the holiday season theatre companies look for plays that fit the spirit of the time. Many familiar shows are warmly received by the public to get them in the holiday mood. Though Almost, Maine is not specifically a holiday play, it will certainly get you in the mood for the times. After all, the most important aspect of the season is not about gifts and parties but about connecting on a human level with our fellow human beings. Almost, Maine does just that. The story is set in northern Maine. The playwright, John Cariani, writes about what he knows as he is a native of that region of the country. But even though the scenarios bring about some exaggerated circumstances, the feelings and the people are quite real and for which all can identify. Many famous plays have been written about small town America with the themes of violence and depravity but here we have a play written about decent souls just looking for some human connections. It has more of the flavor of Our Town rather than plays by Eugene O'Neill or Tennessee Williams.

Almost, Maine is not a play filled with many belly laughs but one that will make you laugh and feel all the emotions in the human soul. In this case, it is the perfect play for our holiday season and perfect for our Director, Clair M Freeman. Clair has directed a number of productions here at The Playhouse, most notably The Miss Firecracker Contest and Brighton Beach Memoirs. Both of these productions are about relationships and hopes and dreams and written by 2 of America's best playwrights. This is what Clair does best, that is directing others to bring out the real feelings and motivations of the characters. The cast is superb and quite up to the task and you will not regret seeing this along with the usual holiday shows. So add it to your itinerary.

Almost, Maine runs Dec 6,7,8,13,14,15,19,20,21,22 at 8PM, 3PM on Sunday.

Tickets $22, $19 students & seniors except on Saturday.

www.paplayhouse.org