Overview

Synopsis

A woman carries her heart, broken into nineteen pieces, in a small paper bag. A man shrinks to half his former size, after losing hope in love. A couple keep the love they have given each other in large red bags, or compress the mass into the size of a diamond. These playful and surreal experiences are commonplace in the world of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine, where on one deeply cold and magical Midwinter Night, the citizens of Almost -- not organized enough for a town, too populated for a wilderness -- experience the life-altering power of the human heart. Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. Propelled by the mystical energy of the aurora borealis and populated with characters who are humorous, plain-spoken, thoughtful, and sincere, Almost, Maine is a series of loosely connected tales about love, each with a compelling couple at its center, each with its own touch of sorcery.

**Casting note: Almost, Maine was written with the intent to allow doubling, and can be performed by as few as 4 actors (2 Male, 2 Female), however the playwright encourages flexibility in the ensemble, and the play can be performed by as many as 19 actors (10 Male, 9 Female.)

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2004
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
the present (early 2000s), northern maine, usa
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Jimmy

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Sandrine

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Lendall

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Randy

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Chad

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Phil

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Marci

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Woman / Hope

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Man / Daniel

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Rhonda

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Dave

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Gayle

Supporting

Female

Spoken

East

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Glory

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Marvalyn

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Steve

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Pete

Featured

Male

Spoken

Ginette

Featured

Female

Spoken

Waitress

Featured

Female

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    A philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence and responsibility, often reflected in modern theatre.

    A literary and theatrical style blending realistic narrative with fantastical elements to explore complex truths.

    A dramatic approach that diverges from reality to express inner truths, ideas, or heightened emotional states.

    A short play presented in a single act without intermission, ideal for festivals, student productions, or concise storytelling.

    A philosophical approach emphasizing reason and emotional control, reflected in characters who endure suffering with quiet strength.

    A dramatic style focused on dreamlike imagery and illogical scenes to explore the subconscious or challenge realism.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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