The Maine Event Downtown

There’s a little-known town in the state of Maine, where temperatures are low, relationships are ever-changing, and surreal experiences are commonplace.

San Benito Stage Company (SBSC) is bringing this fictional town – and the play of the same name-  “Almost, Maine,”  to the I.O.O. F. Building on 330 Fourth Street in Hollister. It opens on Friday, Feb. 9 at 7pm.

Produced by Anne Hall and directed by James Swan, the play by John Cariani is a series of vignettes taking place in Almost, Maine – on a Friday night in the middle of winter.  And as the northern lights hover in the sky in the frigid air, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in various and unexpected ways.

“We felt it was appropriate around Valentine’s Day,” says Hall. “It kind of shows the ups and downs of love. Overall, it’s a pretty fun show.”

The play stars CJ Patereau, Nick Fryou, Derek Barnes, Betsey Mochan, Maddison Alipaz and Sarah Smith.

Hall says the cast of six share 19 roles; all playing at least three characters. But an added benefit is the experience the cast brings to the production.

“The cast is really good,” she says. “And it’s good they have experience because they have to be so versatile.”

And due to the vignette-style of the play, Fryou says the entire cast didn’t work together for the first three weeks of rehearsals.

“It’s been only two weeks, today, that we’ve been rehearsing scenes together,”says Fryou.

But in those two weeks, Smith says it’s been a blast.

“I feel the six of us are sort of a weird family,” she laughs.

Swan says he has been waiting to direct this play for some years, and is excited to finally have the opportunity.

“I’ve been in love with this play for a for a long time and to be able to finally do it is really fun,” he says.

Doors to the I.O.O.F. Building will open at 6:30 pm and dinner will be served at 7pm.

Dinner is being catered by Cozy Cup Cafe in Hollister.  Guests will receive a chicken or steak, with a side and vegetables. A cash bar will be open at 6:30, where wine and mixed drinks will be for sale.

“Once everyone’s had a chance to eat, we’ll start the show around 7:30,” Hall says.

“Hopefully everyone will have had time to mingle and chat with friends, then they’ll have dinner and a show. It’s a big evening of entertainment!”

SBSC’s ‘Almost, Maine’ is running Feb. 9 – Feb. 24, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm.
Tickets available at Postal Graphics, 831.636.3787, or call SBSC at 831.636.0122. Purchase online at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are $45 advance purchase, $50 at the door, and $350 for advance purchase table of eight (complimentary bottle of wine included).