Maine Lit Fest Event - Day 1
John Cariani, a Tony-award nominated actor and accomplished playwright who grew up in Presque Isle, will read and discuss his work for a keynote address at 7:00 PM. Cariani, who was a student of Glenna Johnson Smith at Presque Isle High School, will discuss her influences as a teacher.
John is best known for his play and novel, Almost, Maine, which premiered at Portland Stage Company in 2004 and opened Off-Broadway in 2006, and for his role on NBC’s long-running drama, Law & Order, on which he played Forensics Tech Beck for five seasons.
Free event no RSVP.
Earlier in the day at 1:30 PM, John Cariani and Kathleen Ellis will read brief excerpts from their work. Local poet Lloyd Archer and student writers published in the University of Maine at Presque Isle's Literary Journal, Upcountry, will also read from their work. The readings will be followed by a discussion of the role of influences and place in the development of each panelist's work.
The day-long event honors the UMPI Library's receipt of the papers and artifacts of Glenna Johnson Smith, regular contributor to the local journal Echoes, and author of Old Maine Woman and Return of Old Maine Woman. Her son Melbourne will be present to discuss his mother's legacy and perhaps read from one of her works as well.
John Cariani is a Tony Award-nominated actor and an accomplished playwright. As a playwright, he is best known for his first play, Almost, Maine, which premiered at Portland Stage Company in 2004, opened Off-Broadway in 2006, and has since become one of the most popular plays in the United States and around the world. The play has received over 5000 productions to date and has been translated into over a dozen languages. It’s also the most frequently produced play in North American high schools, outpacing classics like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Crucible, and Our Town. A darker cousin to Almost, Maine, John’s third play, LOVE/SICK is a huge hit in Mexico City, where it has been made into a film starring Eréndira Ibarra (Sense8). The play will soon be touring Spain with Spanish television star Esther Acebo (Money Heist). John is also a novelist, and his debut novel, Almost, Maine-a novel, was recently published by Fiewel and Friends, an imprint of MacMillan.
As an actor, John is best known for his role on NBC’s long-running drama, Law & Order, on which he played Forensics Tech Beck for five seasons. He also had recurring roles on CBS’ Numbers and on IFC’s The Onion News Network. He has appeared in several Broadway shows, including Fiddler on the Roof. His portrayal of Motel the Tailor earned him an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award nomination. He originated the role of Nigel Bottom in the hit, Something Rotten! and received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for his performance. He also originated the role of Itzik in The Band’s Visit, winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Musical, and he recently appeared as Stuart Gellman in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s acclaimed revival of Caroline, or Change.
John grew up in Presque Isle and now lives in The Bronx.