Festival 56 kicks off fall season

Mark Twain’s “The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” adapted for the stage by David Birney, is based on Mark Twain’s ingenious and witty retelling of the dawn of human creation and the relationship issues of Adam and Eve. Mitch Conti (Adam) makes his Festival 56 debut with this production. A graduate of Illinois State University’s College of Fine Arts acting sequence, he has most recently been doing improv and acting in his native Chicago. Actor Georgia Mallory-Guy (Eve) has performed widely (the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre) and last year became a Festival 56 favorite when she starred in the festival’s production of “Proof.”

“Almost Maine” was written by John Cariani. With a four-person cast, it tells the story of how, on a cold and moonless winter night, the residents of the town of Almost find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.

“A Tuna Christmas” is by Joe Sears and Jaston Williams. As the eccentric residents of Tuna, Texas, attempt to organize Christmas festivities, comic hell breaks loose. Two men portray all 24 citizens of Texas’ third smallest town, where the Lions Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.

Tickets for any or all of the shows can be purchased at the Festival 56 box office in the Grace Performing Arts Center. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. They may also be purchased by calling 815-879-5656 or 866-806-5656, or online at www.festival56.com. Seniors receive a discount and students under 18 may attend any show for half-price. Group discounts are also available.

The Grace Performing Arts Center, 316 S. Main St., Princeton, is completely accessible and ample nearby parking is available.