Jeezum Crow Is it Already Time For Almost, Maine?

Our next show of the semester is Almost, Maine by John Cariani. This play is about peoples experiences with love and all the things that come with it. This show gives the auidience a chance to look at love and relationships from an outsider view.

One co-director Ava Pesicka talked about choosing this show because she was in this show in highschool and loved it so much she needed to do it again but through directing. She said "I love Almost, Maine for its charm, witty dialogue, and heartfelt characters that are somehow both simple and extremely eccentric at the same time."

These characters are all people we can connect with and find ourselves in which is truly unqiue to theater and makes it even more meaningful. Which makes sense when you look at what a cast member said in her interview. Sasmitha Baskaran who plays the role of Glory said her favorite part of the show are the people in the project. She said "Each person in the cast brings such unique energies to their roles. They truly understand their characters and insert sweet nuances of themselves to roles, just bringing the words on the pages to life. The directors did such a phenomenal job with casting. It is honestly so scary how similar Glory and I are. The directors put so much passion into the show and help us bring out the beauty in the script. The people are just so amazing." Which is everything we strive for as a company.

This show has come a long was from the beginning of the process and has developed beautifully. Sami Legrant the assistant stage manger even said "seeing the scenes without books in their hands is something truly special." Isabella Curet who plays Lendall also talked about this how she "really enjoys seeing how the scenes of the show change and evolve. It is always interesting when actors make different decisions, or how someone’s mood on any given day can affect how they perform. Everyone in Almost is doing great, and I can’t wait to watch the ways that everyone makes their scenes special and personal to them."

One thing about shows like this is that the cast and crew grow together as people and as charcaters. Abby Mangiafico who's doing the lights for the show said "My favorite part of the show is watching the cast grow as characters. I know this is a normal thing to like while being involved in a show, but, since this show is so divided and I'm not in the cast, it brings to light how everyone can still get along despite no overlap between any character. Makes me proud to be involved and to see things grow throughout."

Another director June Meehan talked about her advice to those in theater which truly connects with many theater kids out there. June states "There is no reward without trying. There are so many talented people, but not everyone is great for one show so try try try and eventually you'll be rewarded." Which so many people can connect with. Its important to remember and keep in mind that no matter how many rejections you face you have to keep trying.

Parker Brunner who plays Chad talked about his favorite part of the show which in his words is "Falling! And then falling again! With Randy! And again! And again!" You'll just have to see the show to find out what that means. Funnily enough Abbi Lindsey the stage manager even said scene 5, "They Fell", Parkers scene, is her favorite part of the show.

One part of Almost, Maine that everyone including co-director Lauren Key hopes you get through seeing this show is how "the people of Almost, Maine have taught me (and hopefully teaches you too) that often times, it's what goes unsaid that is the most powerful."

Almost, Maine will be performed November 23rd at 7pm and November 24th at 2pm in Arts West. Tickets will be sold at the door $5 each. We hope to see you there!

Check out our dropbox with some fun rehearsal pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ga2veys7vva7zgpwsxaiq/ALK1tKp-_PgMAtuKWmeM4mE?rlkey=wcmfkcox3iztxsnkb0e9sgt20&st=k2jobidr&dl=0