Almost, Maine
My thoughts on Almost, Maine or joy and regret under the Aurora Borealis.
Almost, Maine is set in a frigid, snow-covered town in Northern Maine where reality and fantasy blend seamlessly in a series of nine loosely connected vignettes. Playwright John Cariani delves into the complexities of human emotions through stories that range from sweet to silly to poignant. Based on the reactions from the audience—“awws”, laughter, and gentle sobs—Cariani’s charmingly quirky play effectively resonates with viewers.
Set designer Chris Berthelot's suggestion of a house on the snow-covered stage allows us to see through the walls, mirroring our insight into the hearts, minds, and souls of the inhabitants of Almost. John Pinchot provides the lovely, fluid, magical lighting of the Northern Lights, complemented by Kevin Vaught’s accompanying sound design. Alison Kingwell’s costumes depict the characters as authentic Mainers. Having spent considerable time in Maine, I was impressed by the design team's accurate portrayal of the region.
Directors Martin Mussey and Nancy Cecco exhibit affection and warmth for the approximately nineteen different characters caught up in the magical realism of Almost, Maine. They present even the most improbable situations with a realism that renders the characters endearing. The directors have also assembled an enormously talented cast who, even when playing double roles, fully and distinctly inhabit the peculiar yet relatable characters of Almost.
Among the nine vignettes are former lovers Jimmy and Sandrine (Brett Femrite and Jamie Gutzler) who meet by chance at her bachelorette party held at a bar where sad people drink free, aided by a wise, witty waitress (Maxine Frauenheim), in another, two longtime friends, Rhonda and Dave (Noelle Saul and Ian Grygotis), uncover their love and lust through viewing an abstract painting. My personal favorite involves East and Glory (Johnny Jordan Jr. and Sydney Dyer), where a repairman finds love with an eccentric young widow carrying pieces of her broken heart.
Cariani’s vignettes are often humorous and consistently thought-provoking. The acting here is nothing short of superb. I would like to give special recognition to Johnny Jordan Jr., who makes his stage debut in this play. Jordan is smooth, assured, and has phenomenal presence. I foresee many leading roles in his future.
Almost, Maine lingered in my thoughts for days after viewing. Cariani has profound insights into human nature and the connections we form in life. Allen Contemporary Theatre has mounted a beautiful and memorable production of the play. Audiences will find themselves captivated by the spell of the Aurora Borealis.
The Cast: Brian Hoffman, Maxine Frauenheim, Johnny Jordan Jr, Sydney Dyer, Jamie Gutzler, Brett Femrite, Ian Grygotis, Kathleen Vaught, Tim Demsky, Noelle Saul
