‘What Rhymes with America’
penned by woman who
writes for ‘House of Cards’

LEWISTON — “What Rhymes with America” is the poignant and funny play coming to The Public Theatre stage March 11- 20. 

The New England premiere of a 2012 Off-Broadway hit, this play explores the lives, the dreams and heartbreak of a recently divorced dad, his estranged teenage daughter, a struggling actress and an endearingly awkward middle-aged virgin, as they each try to figure out how to move forward in their lives.
Director Christopher Schario said the show has ample humor, and it’s an important element in the characters’ efforts to deal with their unraveling lives.
The father, Hank, is moonlighting as an “extra” at the Metropolitan Opera to pay his bills. Still pining for his almost-ex-wife, he must confront his desire to retrieve the life he lost and the knowledge that he must move on. As he works at adjusting to life on his own, he attempts to repair his relationship with his estranged teenage daughter. All this unfolds as Hank, after 22 years of marriage, must deal with dipping his toe in the dating scene.
Schario said the audience will find plenty of humor in the plot’s predicaments, but he emphasized that the laughs come with “compassion and identification with these people.”
Schario, who is TPT’s executive/artistic director, said there is an unusual and very effective flow to the play’s scenes. One scene is starting at the same time another scene is finishing.
“It gives it a kind of dreamlike quality,” Schario said.
When asked to describe the story, Schario refers to a line from the play … “People pretend to like different, but really they only like marginally different. What people really love is the same in disguise.”
The cast of professional actors includes Kyle Knauf as Hank, Lindsey Gates as Lydia, his endearing date, and Carolyn Faye Kramer as his daughter, Marlene. Janet Mitchko, TPT’s co-artistic director, plays Hank’s opera co-worker, Sheryl.
All four actors have performed extensively Off-Broadway and at various regional theaters. Knauf will be remembered for his appearance as John in TPT’s production of “The Cocktail Hour“ in October 2014. He can soon be seen in the upcoming motion picture, “Untitled Woody Allen Project,” now in production.
Gates and Kramer are making their first appearances on TPT’s stage.
Melissa James Gibson, author of “What Rhymes with America,” is a writer for television’s popular “House of Cards.“ She writes with emotionally penetrating wit and compassionate insight and, according to TPT’s notes on this play, she has been called “one of the most unique voices in theater today.”
A free pre-show wine-tasting hosted by Rails Restaurant will be held in the theatre lobby on Thursday, March 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Performances of “What Rhymes with America” are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, March 11 and 18 as well as Thursday, March 17; at 8 p.m. Saturdays, March 12 and 19; and Sundays, March 13 and 20. There is an added Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. March 19.
For tickets go online to www.thepublictheatre.org or call the box office at 782-3200.
The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St., Lewiston.

GO AND DO

What: “What Rhymes with America” by Melissa James Gibson

Where: Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., Lewiston

When: March 17, wine-tasting beginning at 6:30 p.m., shows on Thursday, March 17, Fridays, March 11 and 18, are at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, March 12 and 19, shows are at 8 p.m.  A 3 p.m. matinee has been added to March 19. Both Sundays, March 13 and 20, there is a matinee at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $20 for adults. Please call 783-3200, or go online to www.thepublictheatre.org.