How does someone find a connection with another person? It’s a question that will try to be answered in KNOW Theatre’s production of John Cariani’s play Almost, Maine.
Originally produced in 2004, Almost, Maine is made up of nine short plays exploring the themes of love and loss in a remote town. “It's a play that has nine distinct scenes. Following nine couples, these couples may be friends, may be lovers, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, strangers,” said director Jeff Tagliaferro.
The play offers the chance for up to 19 actors, but KNOW Theatre has opted to have four actors portray the different characters. “Not to say that it's a farce by any means, where one character is wearing a costume with a wig and they go through one door and come in another way with another wig and another outfit on,” said Tagliaferro. “These are nine distinct scenes that have beginnings, middles and sort of ends.”
Kirsten Whistle is one of the four actors taking on the challenge of playing multiple roles. “I'm playing five characters. They're each a little different, which has been fun to explore. Each of them have their own thing and some of them get to experience a lot of joy, or almost joy. And some of them don't get as much of that.”
The KNOW Theatre is presenting Almost, Maine from June 7th to the 23rd. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8pm with Sunday matinees starting at 3pm.
Watch Bill Snyder’s full interview with Jeff Tagliaferro and Kirsten Whistle below.
