Playwright calls Presque Isle his ‘muse’
Production of ‘Almost, Maine’ serves as fundraiser to restore UMPI’s Wieden Auditorium
Photo courtesy of Frank Grant
PLAYWRIGHT JOINS CAST — John Cariani returned to his hometown, Presque Isle, to take part in the local production of his play, “Almost, Maine,” with performances slated for the evenings of March 18 and 19 at UMPI’s Wieden Auditorium. Pictured at Monday night’s rehearsal are, from left: actor/playwright John Cariani and cast member Tammy Ladner-Scott.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — You can take the man out of the County but in the case of John Cariani, you can’t take the County out of the man.
The Presque Isle native has made a living for the past several years, performing in 2004 as Motel in “Fiddler on the Roof”— a role for which he received a Tony nomination as best actor in a featured role — on Broadway and as CSU Tech Julian Beck on television’s “Law and Order” from 2002-07, but in reality his heart has remained in the community he still calls “home.”
Currently between acting jobs, the actor/playwright has returned to his roots to assist in the production of “Almost, Maine,” a play he wrote based on life and relationships in northern Maine. Since its premiere at the Portland Stage Company in 2004, the play has gone on to be performed on stages across the nation and internationally, garnering the dubious distinction of being one of the most performed plays at the high school level — even surpassing Shakespeare.
“That amazes me. I didn’t think this would be something high school kids could adapt to, but I guess they know a lot about the pain of relationships and all the emotions — the ups and downs,” said Cariani, during an interview at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Auditorium, where the play will be performed the evenings of March 18-19. “This is a play that can be performed by four people or 19 and is suitable for a high school production, since it can be produced to allow more individuals to take part.”
Cariani, who most recently acted as a reporter by the name of Michael Falk in the Independent Film Channel’s “Onion News Network,” said he returned to the Star City to visit friends, offer his teaching skills to local students and lend a hand, and the use of his play, “Almost, Maine,” to raise funds to restore Wieden’s theater. It’s that collabortion — a sort of community spirit — that has inspired Cariani’s writing.
“I still think of Presque Isle as home and a place a derive my inspiration from. Cathie Pelletier said it best when she said ‘The first 20 years of life you know best. You know it with your heart rather than your head.’ I know how a small town works. I set stories based on that. I guess you could say Presque Isle’s my muse,” Cariani said.
He said there’s a common theme to his plays that most people can relate to.
“Everyone knows what it is to love and lose. “Almost, Maine” is surprising, funny and not what you expect it to be,” he said. “I thought high school kids would think it’s corny, but they actually don’t.”
He’s devoted much of his week home to promoting a love of writing — something he said can translate to just about anything a person wants to do.
“I usually visit with Louise and Greg Hamlin when I come to town — used to visit with Eric Waddell and his family. Eric is actually the reason I’m back teaching classes. He wanted me to come do workshops and I’m finally doing that,” said Cariani, who said when he’s not performing, much of his free time is devoted to teaching others.
“I teach a lot; it’s fun to do — things like Shakespeare and writing classes. People closer to big cities have more access to such programs. The people here (the County and Presque Isle specifically) don’t,” he said, noting his plans for the week included workshops with area students.
Working with youth is a pleasure, said Cariani, noting “They’re so receptive and interested in learning.”
Cariani said when you get right down to it, everyone is really a writer whether they want to believe it or not.
“With texting, tweeting, Facebook, iPads, etc., everyone’s writing something on a daily basis. Even videographers are writers in a way, because they document events, performances,” he said. “Writing is just a matter of compiling, documenting. Everything is writing.”
Cariani’s second play, “Last Gas,” premiered at the Portland Stage Company in November and, like his first play, features life in northern Maine — this time at an out-of-the-way gas station in a remote corner of the County.
“I came here to do research for the play in May 2008. I don’t think most people outside of Maine know what it’s like to live and love in a remote, rural community. These plays are my version of what those relationships entail; they depict the strife and struggles, the laughter and heartache of hard-working Mainers,” he said.
Cariani is currently trying to figure out where to go next, as he begins work on his third play.
“After the premiere last fall, I returned to my home in New York City to try to figure out the next place for the play. I’m also working on my third play, which has yet to be named, that will consist of several vignettes, similar to my first two plays. It will also be based on my experiences growing up in Maine,” said Cariani.
Currently between jobs, Cariani said he’s spent quite a bit of time on the West Coast.
“I spent two weeks this winter in Los Angeles. I go there from time to time for work. I also spend a lot of time in New York, putting on workshops and working on my plays,” he said.
While in Maine last November, he met up with Dan Ladner and his wife, Barbara Frick-Ladner. It was during that meeting that plans started for the local production of “Almost, Maine.”
“I was at NMCC for a book-signing event. They arranged a meeting with UMPI officials, including President Don Zillman. Barb introduced the idea of renovating the theater space at Wieden. We thought it would be a great way to spearhead fundraising by putting on my play, with me doing the prologue and epilogue,” said Cariani, noting Frick-Ladner, who directed Cariani in many a high school play, will be directing this week’s production.
Cariani said it didn’t take any persuading to get onboard with the idea.
“When Barb asked me to spearhead the fund-raising movement, I was all for it. I did plays at Presque Isle High School and it was part of my growing up here. It’s important to support one’s hometown. I’m happy to be able to give back to a place that’s meant so much to me,” said Cariani. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of this. I’m looking forward to a good turnout.”
Performances are at 7 p.m. on March 18 and 19. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at the following Presque Isle locations: Goin’ Postal, Morning Star Art and Framing, the UMPI Bookstore and the UMPI Community and Media Relations Office. For more information, contact 768-9452.
