KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Kansas Summer Theatre at the University of Kansas will stage its second production, “Almost, Maine,” a comedy by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. July 17, 18, 24 and 25 and 5 p.m. July 19 and 26 on Stage Too! in Murphy Hall.

Boone J. Hopkins, a third-year doctoral student from Gainesville, Ga., is directing the production. Scenic and lighting designer is Mark Reaney, professor of theatre and film. Costume and assistant lighting designer is Liz Banks, a graduate student from Sweetwater, Texas.

Set in the small town of Almost, Maine, the action takes place at 9 p.m. on a clear night in the middle of winter when the Aurora Borealis can be seen. The quirky romantic comedy is composed of eight short vignettes featuring 19 characters.

“Each of the short scenes is about the hazards we encounter in the pursuit of love,” Hopkins said. “Every scene looks at a different aspect of love and the ways the people of Almost respond to the complications of love. All the scenes are about gaining or losing love, about discovering love where it is least expected and not finding it where it had always been.”

The Cape Cod Theatre Project developed “Almost, Maine,” and the professional premiere was done in 2004 by the Portland Stage Company.

In describing his play, Cariani, a native of Maine, explains he remembers “being treated to an Aurora Borealis show at least once a year.”

“The northern lights occur when atoms become ‘excited,’ ” he said. “During solar storms, electrons are sent streaming towards the Earth. When this happens to enough atoms, the brilliant light display hovers and streaks across the sky. ‘Almost, Maine’ is a play about people who are normally very grounded, but who have become very excited by love and other extraordinary occurrences.”

General admission tickets for the comedy are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982 and Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and online at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets for “Almost, Maine” are $12 for the public, $11 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff and $10 for all students. All major credit cards are accepted for phone and online orders.

Members of the ensemble for “Almost, Maine” are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, and high school.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Merriam 66203
Austin Robinson, sophomore, theatre and Spanish major, son of Sharon Riley and J.R. Robinson, Shawnee Mission North High School.

From Olathe 66062
Mackenzie Lynn Wiglesworth, spring 2009 graduate, theatre and film major, daughter of Russ and Carol Wiglesworth, Olathe East High School.

From Overland Park 66223
Christopher McGillivray, junior, theatre major, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul McCillivray, Blue Valley High School.

From Stilwell 66085
Matthew Crooks, senior, theatre and English major, son of Mike Crooks and Nancy Wunderlich, Blue Valley High School.

KEARNY COUNTY
From Lakin 67860
Chelsie S. Shipley, spring 2009 graduate, theatre and film major, daughter of Price and Sue Shipley, Lakin High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Spencer Hess Holdren, spring 2009 graduate, theatre major, son of James and Teresa Turnbull, Topeka High School.

From Topeka 66614
Alyson Cripps, senior, theatre and film major, daughter of Bryce and Judy Cripps, Topeka West High School.

NORTH DAKOTA
From Fargo 58102
Amy Virginia Buchanan, senior, theatre and film major, daughter of David and Cynthia Lee Buchanan, Stillwater (Okla.) High School.