"ALMOST MAINE" DELIVERS QUIRKY LOVE NOTES DELIGHTFULLY

Would you like a Valentine Day's present for your sweetie that is romantic and different, quirky and whimsical, that won't set off your allergy to roses or tempt you with chocolate cravings?  TheaterWorks of Hartford has teamed up with playwright John Cariani to package the perfect holiday treat for the heart:  "Almost Maine," a comedy about love, both warm and frost crusted, until Sunday, March 3.

Get out your long johns, flannels and woolen mittens as you head to the chilly upper regions of the northeast, to Maine, to the mythical and magical town of Almost.  There you will meet a bevy of folk who are falling in and out of love faster than a seal can coast down an ice slide.  A quartet of talented actors Eric Bryant, Laura Esposito, Lucas Hall and Jess Watkins play all the unusual people seeking their soul mates.

In a series of clever vignettes, we meet a couple who travel further apart, around the world actually, to grow closer together as well as a woman who seeks the Northern Lights as a way to bid farewell to one love and perhaps welcome another.  At the local watering hole, the Moose Paddy, a misspelled tattoo ironically proves prophetic while a girl who lugs bags of love back to the giver receives a wonderful return on her investment.  You can even learn how an ironing board can be an invitation to more than a well pressed shirt.

Weigh in with Chad and Randy, two good buds, who try to decide who wins the title Baddest Date Ever and discover that they are both big winners in the love game. Who knew?  Go to Echo Pond with Phil and Marci and wish upon a shooting star or tag along with Hope as she tries to rekindle her relationship with Daniel.  Finally, hop aboard the snowmobile express with Rhonda and Dave as a piece of personal artwork signals sparks of love.

Amy Saltz plays Cupid and delivers accurate arrows to her targets as she directs these funny and often bittersweet tales.

For tickets ($50-63), call TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at www.theaterworkshartford.org.  Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m, with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Come early and enjoy the poster art of the theater's past glories decorating the art gallery upstairs.

The picturesque state of Maine is the perfect setting for these poignant and piquant portraits of love in all their amazing possibilities.