Whitefish Theatre Company presents romantic comedy 'Almost Maine'

A play of comic and poignant tales of love by John Cariani, “Almost, Maine,” will be performed by Whitefish Theatre Company in its first mainstage production of the 2024-25 season. 

Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town that is so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. And it almost doesn’t exist because its residents never got around to getting organized. So, it’s just — almost. One clear, cold winter night, while the northern lights hover in the sky above, nine couples in Almost experience the various, unpredictable elements of love. That first spark, heartbreak, falling in love, breaking up, and the joys of discovering you are meant for each other — or perhaps not. “Almost, Maine” is a play about love and longing, friendship and isolation, melancholy and hope, and ultimately about our search for human connection. 

The story of “Almost, Maine” is told through a series of vignettes by four actors, all playing multiple roles, directed by Malcolm Sharbutt. Though this may be his Whitefish Theatre Company mainstage directorial debut, he is no stranger to the stage and screen. He’s worked with names like Patton Oswalt and even had a recurring role on Netflix’s hit series “House of Cards.” Locally, he portrayed Ebeneezer Scrooge in the theater company’s production of “A Christmas Carol."  

“So it’s '91 or '92 and I’m an awkward, gangly, pimply faced, Gordon knot of raging hormones, and I am helplessly in love for the first time,” Sharbutt said. “So where do I focus this tremendous amount of angsty love? I did what any other starry-eyed lovesick kid in the early '90s did to prove their love. I made her a mixtape of course. That’s kind of what this play is. A mixtape of scenes about love. New love, old love, unrequited love, falling in love, falling out of love and the beautiful joy and heartbreak that comes from it all.” 

The cast includes seasoned Flathead Valley actors Amy Galt, Joy James, Issac Clayton Schroeder, and Matt Strool.  “I am so proud of what these unbelievably talented actors have accomplished. Having four actors play 18 different roles is no easy feat and they have brought so much heart, humor and vulnerability to this production. I am in awe of them,” Sharbutt said. 

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. A 4:30 p.m. matinee will be held Oct. 20. All performances will be held at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.  

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students. Tickets to the Oct. 17 performance are $12 for adults and $10 for students and are available for purchase at the box office night of the show only. All other tickets may be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org, at the box office at 1 Central Ave. in Whitefish, or by calling 862-5371. Box Office Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and one hour before a performance.  

This show is sponsored by Linda and Dave Grady and Sue and Hank Ricklefs.