BELFAST — Anyone who has been a patron of Belfast’s local hangout Traci’s Diner knows they have their own colorful cast of characters. And now the diner is about to become the subject of a play with a whole new set of characters.

The Belfast Maskers and Traci's Diner are teaming up for an evening of dinner and comedy.  The Maine Dish was written by local screenwriter, Eddie Adelman, who set the fictional diner in Midcoast Maine with some very quirky and sketchy characters.

Director Erica Rubin Irish said, “Two mid-westerners, a young man named Tyler (played by Scott Anthony Smith) and a young woman named Shane (played by Makaila Redden) each think they’ve won this diner in an essay contest and arrive, unbeknownst to one another, at the same time. Shane is sweet and innocent and Tyler is a questionable character. The show introduces a whole bunch of interesting characters who have their own story. And you’ll recognize some Maine lingo and comedy in there as well.”

It made sense, then, to stage the play in a real diner. The layout of Traci’s is ideal, with the kitchen and counter area naturally raised as a stage and the lowered restaurant area for the audience. Dinner with a choice of prime rib or a vegetarian teriyaki stir fry will be served at 7 p.m., followed by the Maskers' performance of the sitcom pilot, The Maine Dish.

The pilot, originally written in 2004, was a top 10 finalist on the Bravo Network's reality series, "Situation: Comedy," where Adelman appeared as one of screenwriters pitching the series to a panel of industry judges. It was pitched as "Cheers meets Northern Exposure." The show was eventually optioned by NBC.

The play runs 45 minutes. The dates of the dinner/performance are May 13, 14, 20, 21. Due to the venue, seating is very limited. Tickets are $40 per person and include both the dinner and show. For reservations call 207-536-9123.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com