Almost, Maine - Acting Edition [Paperback]

John Cariani (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc. (June 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082222156X
• ISBN-13: 978-0822221562
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > United States
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > General
  • #95 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > United States

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Romantic, January 19, 2008

By 

R. Scott Dunlap "thehylas" (Chattanooga, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Almost, Maine - Acting Edition (Paperback)

So, it seems that John Cariani is one of the funniest, entertaining and endearing playwrights on the planet. Every word, every absurd twist of this comedy is so pure, so heartfelt, that reading it was like reconnecting with an old friend.
It is beautifully written. So sweet and romantic, it is guaranteed to melt even the iciest of hearts. I fell in love with it after the second scene, "Her Heart," when my jaw dropped and my eyes welled with tears. It is so unique that the closest comparison I can come up with is perhaps a frost-bitten version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It has all of the magic and fantasy of Shakespeare's romp, but it's fresh and delightful setting in the Great Northern state makes it one-of-a-kind and surprising more romantic.
The scenic demands are terrifically flexible, making it perfect for either a black box with a couple of benches or a lush production. The very natural and effective dialogue makes it so completely modern, without placing it in any one time period. In five or ten years, the messages and humor will still play to audiences without seeming dated, jaded or political.
After reading it, I knew my theater had to perform it! Our actors fell in love with the characters. Our audiences fell in love with the material. Even in the heat of July in the great state of Tennessee with a broken air-conditioner, our actors sweating profusely while wearing winter coats and our audiences fanning like crazy...the audience STILL doubled each weekend from the previous weekend, ending in sold out houses!
A fantastic read, but also an amazing piece to perform. One more word of advice: if you are producing it...TRUST the playwright, his detailed notes are more than suggestions, they are a blueprint. This man knows comedy. It was so much fun to see how, by following his advice and not playing it like a sit-com or being heavy handed with a directorial re-imagining, scenes like "They Fell" and "Seeing The Thing" played so honestly and realistically, making it an even more rewarding and surprising experience for audiences. Thank you, Mr. Cariani!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful little play, February 15, 2009

By 

Tim Martin (South Bend, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost, Maine - Acting Edition (Paperback)

This is a delightful two act, eight scene play. It is set on a winter's night in Almost, Maine. Each scene is acted by a different couple. Basically, the play is romantic comedy that explores the foibles of being in and out of love.

Most of the scenes are successful, though a couple do fall short. But, every scene does have good moments and there is a lot of laughter through the play.

Al in all, if you are looking at producing a romantic comedy, this would be a good choice. Enjoy!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely brilliant play!, November 4, 2010

By 

Maryanna C - See all my reviews

This review is from: Almost, Maine - Acting Edition (Paperback)

Set in the unincorporated town of Almost, Maine, the town's residents fall into and out of love -- at the same moment -- under the magic of the Northern Lights. John Cariani has created a place you will want to visit over and over again. My theater company, Tennessee Women's Theater Project ([...]), produced this show several seasons ago -- it was one of our best attended shows ever. Beat it to death -- make it overly cutesy or play heavy-handed saccharine romances -- and it will fall apart before your eyes. But, treat it tenderly and this play's magic will reveal itself to you and your audiences.

I, and our audiences, LOVED this show!

P.S. The strongest language is "jeezum crow!")