‘Almost, Maine’ opens at Festival 56 on Nov. 23

The play is a romantic comedy set in the small town of Almost, Maine. 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.

The play was written by John Cariani. The cast features Georgia Mallory Guy and Mitch Conti, fresh off their performances in the festival’s “Diaries of Adam and Eve,” along with returning Festival 56 actors Eliza Morris and Andrew Pollock. Morris, a recent graduate of the ISU theater program, was last seen at Festival 56 in “City of Angels” (2008). New York-based Pollock, a Festival 56 favorite the last two seasons, played Herr Shultz in the festival’s production of “Cabaret” this summer.

On opening night, a brief discussion with the play’s cast and crew will immediately follow the performance, capped off by a “Black Friday Cabaret,” the only late night cabaret of the fall season.

The last play of the Festival 56 fall season will be the holiday show, “A Tuna Christmas” (Dec. 7-Dec. 22). In addition, on Dec. 8, Festival 56 will present “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a radio play broadcast live over WZOE, with local community members as the cast. Doors open at 1 p.m. for pre-show musical entertainment, followed by the live broadcast at 2 p.m. Tickets to this event are sold separately from the festival’s fall plays.

Tickets for the festival’s plays and special events 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 is completely accessible and ample nearby parking is available.