Dramatics Magazine recently released the results from its annual survey of the most-produced plays and musicals in North American high schools. #1 on the list of plays was ALMOST, MAINE by John Cariani (in photo), beating out such stalwart titles as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Our Town.
ALMOST, MAINE received its world premiere in 2004 at Portland Stage Company (Portland, Maine), where it became the most successful play in the company’s 32-year history. The play received rave reviews and played to sellout houses throughout its run. The Wall Street Journal included ALMOST, MAINE in its list of the best regional theater productions of the 2004-2005 season. The Off-Broadway premiere opened in January 2006 at the Daryl Roth Theatre, produced by Jack Thomas and Bruce Payne. The play was, and continues to be, widely praised for its smart, funny take on life and love in a small, mythical town in far northern Maine. ALMOST, MAINE continues to be presented in theatres all over the United States and in such far flung places as South Korea, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, and Germany.
ALMOST, MAINE was originally performed by four actors, each covering four to five roles. Perhaps adding to its popularity among high school theatre groups, the play can be performed by up to 19 actors if desired.
The results of Dramatics Magazine’s survey of the most performed shows in high schools are:
TOP 10 PLAYS
1) ALMOST, MAINE
2) A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
3) YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
4) NOISES OFF
5) TWELVE ANGRY MEN
6) ALICE IN WONDERLAND (various adaptations)
7) THE CRUCIBLE
8) OUR TOWN
9) Neil Simon’s FOOLS
10) A CHRISTMAS CAROL (various adaptations)
TOP 10 MUSICALS
1) DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
2) SEUSSICAL
3) GREASE
4) INTO THE WOODS
5) FOOTLOOSE
6) THE WIZARD OF OZ (multiple adaptations)
7) YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
8) THE MUSIC MAN
9) ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
10) THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
For more information about ALMOST, MAINE visit www.almostmaine.com.
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