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5,000 Visits to Almost

5,000 Visits to Almost

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5,000 Visits to Almost

The Journey of One of The Most-Produced Plays of The Last Two Decades

By A.J. Magoon, Marketing Director

It’s been 20 years since ALMOST, MAINE had its world premiere at the Portland Stage Company. Since then, the play has received more than 5,000 productions, including more than 100 professional productions and more than 100 international productions. Join us on a trip into the history of this widely-beloved play, coming to the Next Act stage November-December 2024:

2002

ALMOST, MAINE is developed at the Cape Cod Theatre Project under the leadership of Artistic Director Andy Polk.

2004

Wendy Stetson and Larry Nathanson in ALMOST, MAINE at Portland Stage Company, 2004. Photo courtesy Darren Setlow.

October 29 – the world premiere of ALMOST, MAINE takes place at Portland Stage Company in Portland, Maine under the leadership of Artistic Director Anita Stewart and Managing Director Tami Ramaker.

The American National Theatre names ALMOST, MAINE one of the outstanding new plays of 2004.

The Wall Street Journal features ALMOST, MAINE in a roundup of must-see regional theatre.

2006

Justin Hagan and Miriam Shor in ALMOST, MAINE at the Daryl Roth Theatre, New York City, 2006. Photo courtesy Joan Marcus.

January 12 – ALMOST, MAINE opens off-Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theatre, produced by Jack Thomas/Bulldog Theatrical and Bruce Payne.

2010

Steve Haggard and Deborah Staples in ALMOST, MAINE at Milwaukee Rep, 2010. Photo courtesy Jay Westhauser Photo.

January 13 – ALMOST, MAINE receives its professional debut in Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Rep. It is directed by Laura Gordon (11-time actor and three-time director at Next Act who most recently directed last season’s SCARECROW) and featured Gerard Neugent, Elizabeth Ledo, Steve Haggard and Deborah Staples (who appeared in five Next Act shows and directed one).

ALMOST, MAINE is the most-produced play in American high schools, beating out Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, according to Dramatics Magazine. It will be given this distinction eight more times up to the present day.

2014

January 21 – a revival of ALMOST, MAINE opens off-Broadway at the Gym at Judson, produced by Transport Group under the leadership of Artistic Director Jack Cummings III and Executive Director Lori Fineman. The production is critically acclaimed by New York reviewers and extends its run before opening night. Playwright John Cariani appears in the cast. The production is recorded for the Lincoln Center archives.

2016

ALMOST, MAINE is selected as the definitive play representing Dramatists Play Service’s eighth decade, 2006-2016.

2021

ALMOST, MAINE is the most-streamed non-musical play produced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2024

November 22 – 20 years after its world premiere and 14 years after its most recent professional production in Milwaukee, ALMOST, MAINE will open at Next Act Theatre.

Tickets are now on sale for ALMOST, MAINE by John Cariani. Call (414) 278-0765 or buy online now!