Maddy’s Theatre Stages World Premiere of Crisscrossing the Galaxy Faster Than the Speed of Light in Search of a Hug

Portland, Maine -- Maddy’s Theatre stages the world premiere of Crisscrossing the Galaxy Faster Than the Speed of Light in Search of a Hug written by Arizona-based playwright Paco José Madden at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine on Thompson’s Point, running from January 21 - February 6, 2022. This production is an intergenerational play, featuring a cast of five actors- three professional adult actors and two youth actors. The script offers a timely story about the importance of family and overcoming feelings of isolation in a technology-rich world. Crisscrossing the Galaxy features a young protagonist who travels the galaxy with their trusty robot dog in search of true human connection.

Previously, the script of Crisscrossing the Galaxy has only been performed in workshops. The production is directed by Theatre Artistic Director Reba Askari. Playwright Paco José Madden will attend the Saturday, January 29th 4pm show and join the Maddy’s Theatre team in hosting a talk-back session after the performance.

Crisscrossing the Galaxy is the first intergenerational production in Maddy’s Theatre. The inaugural 2021-2022 season in this state-of-the-art space has featured five plays for young audiences performed by adults, and two teen actors are now joining the mix. August Chandler plays Skylar, who longs for a hug after growing up in a world of robotics and virtual communication. Skylar is accompanied by their faithful robot dog Einstein-played by Beckett O’Hanlon-on an interstellar quest through the cosmos. The rest of the cast includes adult actors Hal Cohen as Skylar’s father, and Juliet Moniz and Elliot Nye as a nimble ensemble of fantastical alien creatures and remembered historical figures that Skylar and Einstein meet along the way.

Photo: Katie Day

Crisscrossing the Galaxy promises to continue exploring the technical capacity of the state-of-the-art capabilities of Maddy’s Theatre. The theatre team has hired designer William Anderson to handle the projected animations of this show. While this is not the first time Maddy’s Theatre is venturing into outer space, Crisscrossing the Galaxy explores parts of the galaxy unknown and imagined.

Maddy’s Theatre would like to thank the generous support of our Season Sponsors Amtrak Downeaster and T-Mobile, and our Show sponsors the PW Sprague Foundation and the Illustration Institute for making this production possible.

For more information: www.kitetails.org/crisscrossing-the-galaxy