A year after coming to Fayette to give the third annual Geist-Yancey Lecture, playwright and actor John Cariani will return to the campus of Central Methodist University this month to showcase his new play and work with CMU students.
“All of our students loved working with John last year, despite their nerves about meeting such a famous playwright,” said Dr. Mark Kelty, professor of theatre. “He makes everyone feel at ease, wants to help, and spreads the love of writing and the arts to all people. It's so great to bring John back for a second year!”
Cariani is a playwright, actor, and novelist. 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 more than 5,000 productions to date and has been translated into more than a dozen languages. Cariani’s other plays—LOVE/SICK, cul-de-sac, and LAST GAS—have received more than 500 productions in the U.S. and around the world.
As an actor, Cariani made his Broadway debut in the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof, receiving an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Motel the Tailor. Later, he originated the role of Nigel Bottom in the Broadway hit Something Rotten! and received an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Grammy Award nomination for his performance. Additionally, he originated the role of Itzik in the The Band's Visit, winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Musical; and he appeared as Stuart Gelman in the acclaimed revival of Caroline, or Change, receiving a Grammy Award nomination for his performance.
Many people know Cariani from his work on TV. He played Forensics Tech Beck for five seasons on NBC’s long-running drama, Law & Order. He also had recurring roles on CBS’s Numbers and on IFC’s The Onion News Network. Notable film work includes Showtime (with Robert De Niro), Scotland, PA (with Christopher Walken), and Elephant Sighs (with Ed Asner).
First on the agenda for Cariani’s return to campus will be an afternoon workshop on acting with students of The Little Theatre on Wednesday, February 25. That evening at 7 p.m., there will be a concert reading of the author’s most recent play, Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars. Kelty emphasized that the play is still a work in progress, and there will be a talkback opportunity after the reading, in which Cariani is interested in hearing feedback on the script.
On Thursday, Cariani will participate in the first day of the annual Ten-Minute Play Festival, taking place at 7 p.m. CMU students in Prof. Lonna Wilke’s playwriting class, as well as members of the CMU community who have submitted their plays, will have a chance to receive feedback from Cariani at the event. Earlier in the day, he will be leading a playwriting workshop at 2:25 as well.
The Ten-Minute Play Festival will continue for a second day on Saturday, February 28. The Festival will be held in The Little Theatre; workshop locations will be determined in the coming weeks. For more information on the event and other upcoming shows at the Little Theatre, visit https://centralmethodist.edu/about/campus-attractions/little-theatre.html.