To the editor:
I want to thank the nearly 950 patrons who attended the performances of John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” last week on the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus. As pointed out in a recent New York Times article, “Almost, Maine” was identified as the most produced high school play in the United States, displacing Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The Presque Isle performances of “Almost, Maine” had the dual purpose of showcasing John’s work and calling attention to the need for renovation of the half century old Auditorium in Wieden Hall on campus.
At the start of the Saturday night show I asked for a show of hands of the patrons who had either seen TV, radio, or newspaper coverage of John’s visit, or participated in John’s visits to K-12 programs or programs at Northern Maine Community College or the University or listened to John at one of the local service clubs. Very few hands weren’t raised. John gave back to his home town in full measure.
John’s major purpose of the visit was the production and performance of “Almost, Maine” for the first time in Presque (Almost) Isle, Maine. Director Barb Frick Ladner recruited a distinguished cast of local actors and production staff. John joined the cast of nine — Jeff Ashby, Tamia Glidden, Frank Grant, Tammy Ladner-Scott, Debbie Lamont, Brian Sipe, Mel Smith, Rod Thompson, and Ginny White — on the stage. I heard many comments that it was wonderful to hear the play presented by actors who not only knew the lines, but knew what the lines meant. The production staff included Joe Zubrick, who did the set and lighting design, stage manager Jenn Guare, Elaine Sipe, Gail Gibson, Dan Ladner, and Rachel Scott.
We would be remiss if we did not thank Maine Public Service Company for their generous sponsorship of Thursday evening events, as well as our off-campus ticket locations, Goin’ Postal and Morning Star Art & Framing. We are also indebted to local media – the Star-Herald, Bangor Daily News, WAGM-TV, Citadel Broadcasting, and Channel X — for their interest in and attention to the production.
As John bluntly put it in his final remarks to the crowd: imagine how spectacular a presentation like this would be if a renovation brought the 1960 Auditorium to 2011 condition and standards. That challenge falls to us at UMPI and in the community. This summer we will complete the renovation of the Pullen Hall classrooms. Over $1.5 million of the renovation will be provided by grant funds, rather than campus or state funds. Local contractors will do the work. We will start school in fall with an energy-efficient and up-to-date building that will demonstrate both solar and biomass technologies.
Wieden Auditorium will then become our highest priority. Campus, state, or federal funds are in very short supply. If we are to be successful in the renovation project we will need the collaboration of supporters of cultural programs, theater, distinguished lectures, public meetings, and the like from all around the community. We are shaping the details for such a campaign over the next months. We hope you will consider joining us in this effort.
Don Zillman, president
UM-Presque Isle
