Almost, Maine

by John Cariani

Directed by Hilletje Bashew

Show Dates: January 16-25, 2026

Open Call: Please attend one of the following:
Sunday, November 16, 2025, 6:00-9:00pm
Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00-9:00pm

Location: Penny Smith Theatre, 114 Cussewago Square, Meadville, PA. (If unable to attend, contact hilletjem@gmail.com for other arrangements.)

What to Prepare: You may perform a 1–2 minute contemporary monologue if you prefer, but it’s not required. Sides will be provided for cold reads.

Rehearsals: December 1–19, 2025 & January 5–15, 2026

Show Synopsis: : On a cold, clear winter night in the remote town of Almost, Maine, the townspeople find themselves falling in and out of love in the most unexpected and magical ways. Through eleven vignettes, strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and hearts are broken, mended, and opened again. The play captures the wonder and vulnerability of human connection — reminding us that love, in all its forms, is both ordinary and extraordinary.

Note on Casting: Fully flexible. All humans of all ages, backgrounds, shapes, and sizes are welcome

Character Breakdown: 
Musician: Banjo player

Prologue: PETE and GINETTE — a couple who have been dating for a little while.

Her Heart: EAST — a repairman; GLORY — a hiker.

Sad and Glad: JIMMY — a heating and cooling guy; SANDRINE — his ex-girlfriend; WAITRESS — a salty local.

This Hurts: MARVALYN — a woman good at protecting herself; STEVE — an open, kind man whose brother protects him.

Getting It Back: GAYLE and LENDALL — longtime girlfriend and boyfriend.

Interlogue: PETE (from the Prologue).

They Fell: RANDY and CHAD — two ‘County boys’ and/or DEENA and SHELLY — two ‘County girls.’

Where It Went: PHIL and MARCI — a hard-working married couple.

Story of Hope: HOPE — who has traveled the world; MAN — who has not.

Seeing the Thing: RHONDA — a tough woman; DAVE — a not-so-tough man who loves her.

Epilogue: PETE and GINETTE (from the Prologue).

Director’s Notes:
Accent: General American
Total Vignettes: 11 (Prologue, 8 Scenes, Interlogue, Epilogue)
Casting: Fully flexible
Age Range: Adaptable to any age
Setting: One winter night in the fictional town of Almost, Maine
Tone: Magical realism blended with grounded emotional truth

MCT is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all our productions. We provide equal opportunity in casting as far as our contracts allow.

ALMOST, MAINE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)