Almost, Maine: It’s Almost Here!

Delilah Shields Delilah Shields

It is a Friday night in February, a little before 9 p.m. Maybe you are sitting with your loved one, gazing at the stars. You might be catching a drink at the Moose Paddy, or doing some laundry before bed. Maybe you’re ice skating, snowmobiling, or laughing with your best friend. In the town of Almost, Maine, nineteen townsfolk experience a life-changing event, for the better or worse.

 

On November 16th, 17th, and 18th, join Drama for a magical and romantic evening full of love, heartbreak, friendship, and uncertainty. In 2022, NPR reported it as the “second-most produced play in North American high schools”. In a review article from The Kearney Hub, they said, “Almost, Maine is about love: sometimes lost, sometimes found but never neatly tied in a bow. It offers lots of questions, few answers, and no ‘happily ever after.’ The best the audience can hope for is a lifted eyebrow, a suggestion of happiness to come, or perhaps the flicker of a moment in which there might be hope for true love. Rich in allegory and metaphor—with characters we all know, situations we’ve all been in, and conclusions that take unexpected turns—Almost, Maine says a lot about love…and it speaks in beautiful, arresting and intriguing tones”.

 

As a proud cast member, I can personally attest to the enchanting effect the play provides. It is such a joy to play Shelly, who spends her night hanging out with her best friend Deena after a failed date. I loved being able to explore a more dramatic role, and I love acting alongside my scene partner Annabelle (Deena).

 

The show dates and times are:

  • November 16th @ 7 p.m. 
  • November 17th @ 7 p.m.
  • November 18th @ 2 p.m.
  • November 18th @ 7 p.m.

 

To get a sneak peek of the play, I interviewed the cast on their experience so far.

 

Q: How did you feel about the rehearsal process? (Context: usually rehearsals are with the full cast, but this year it was only a few cast members at a time)

 

A: “I like this specific rehearsal process because since we have so much time in between rehearsals, I have more time to practice everything I learned and master it for the next one. I also think it is a bit challenging and not usual for me to only be working with one person at a time” -Annabelle Varghese, Deena

 

“I miss being with my cast mates for rehearsal every week, but I love that I can focus on my character and my scene a lot more being separate like this until later. And it makes seeing everyone’s fully polished scene in the end all the more exciting!” -Milo Thomas, Lendall

 

“At first, I found it a little odd because I am so used to having group rehearsals and seeing everyone perform. But I do understand why Mr. Sidwell decided to alter it from the norm as it suits the play best and is the most efficient way.” -Isabella Hoadrea, Sandrine

 

“I liked being able to focus on the scene itself and work with my partner as Milo is one of my best friends. However, I miss the family aspect that being all together brings in rehearsals.” -Emily Dvi-Vardhana, Gayle

 

“It was a change from how the shows are usually rehearsed, but I know that having a full rehearsal for your scene will help push the show forward and give us the best results.”  -Josephine Kaiman, Hope

 

Q: What do you enjoy most about your character?

 

A: “Lendall is a pretty chill guy and likes to just go with the flow. Things have been seeming to work out, but in my scene, things seem like they might not end up as expected and it builds up to a big moment for Lendall, and it’s really fun to play that. I like that I can find places to connect with my character as well as play those sides that are different from me normally” -Milo Thomas, Lendall

 

“What I enjoy most about my character Sandrine is her kindness and understanding despite how pushy Jimmy (her ex) can be during their scene. Her emotions during the scene are so complex but she never truly despises Jimmy for what went wrong which is very admirable” -Isabella Hoadrea, Sandrine

 

“I honestly really enjoy how aggressive he is. I typically play comedic, lighthearted characters so this is a huge change for me” -Bear Ruedas, Phil

 

“I like her wittiness, and also appreciate the look into her constant need to be perceived as ‘tough’” -Isabella Gutierrez, Rhonda

 

“I love how she’s not afraid to admit when she’s wrong, and how she attempts to fix her mistakes” -Josephine Kaiman, Hope

 

Q: How do you want the audience to feel at the end of the play?

 

A: “I want them to think the show was funny and entertaining, but I also want them to relate and hopefully find meaning that they can connect to their own lives. This show is about relationships, and deals with love, arguing, romantic and platonic attraction, confusion, and overall, things that everyone has experienced at least once in their life” -Annabelle Varghese, Deena

 

“It’s a sweet show that is sort of dramatic with a lot of funny parts too, but I hope that they leave not taking their relationships for granted but remembering to have fun every step of the way. I want the audience to feel charmed in a way” -Milo Thomas, Lendall

 

“I want the audience to feel fulfilled and happy that all these couples were able to find their way and accomplish their goals throughout the play” -Isabella Hoadrea, Sandrine

 

“On the brink of emotional turmoil after going through the emotional rollercoaster that is this play” -Bear Ruedas, Phil

 

“I want the audience to feel almost perplexed” -Lee Paulson, Pete

 

“I want them to just sit back, relax, and have a great time” -Elijah Jackson, Steve

 

“I want my audience to feel mixed emotions about the contrast of scenes” -Elena DiCerbo, Glory

 

“I want them to wonder what the lives of the couples are like after the scenes” -Annabel Gross, Marcy

 

Q: What is your favorite moment in the play, whether it’s your scene or someone else’s?

 

A: “It’s not one moment in the play, but it’s THE moment in every scene. It makes it interesting to know that everyone is having this magical moment “together”. You’ll get it when you go watch it” -Milo Thomas, Lendall

 

“I agree with Milo, the minute the Northern Lights appear is the most magical moment in the show” -Delilah Shields, Shelly

 

“I love how it all ties together” -Josephine Kaiman, Hope

 

“When Elijah shows up” -Lucas Gribbon, Jimmy

 

“Taking off my clothes” -Isabella Gutierrez, Rhonda

 

Q: What song best describes your character?

 

A: “Bullet In A Gun” by Imagine Dragons - Lee Paulson, Pete

 

“Bumble Bee” by Bambee - Elena DiCerbo, Glory

 

“Not Afraid” by Eminem - Scott Moeller, East

 

“Creep” by Radiohead - Lucas Gribbon, Jimmy

 

“Midnight Rain” by Taylor Swift - Isabella Hoadrea, Sandrine

 

“Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield - Ivanna Sze, The Waitress

 

“Love Hurts” by Nazareth - Elijah Jackson, Steve

 

“Afterglow” by Taylor Swift - Emily Dvi Vardhana

 

“Isn’t It Romantic?” by Ella Fitzgerald - Milo Thomas, Lendall

 

“Falling for Ya” from Teen Beach Movie - Delilah Shields, Shelly

 

“girls” by girl in red - Annabelle Varghese, Deena

 

“The Other Woman” by Lana Del Rey - Annabel Gross, Marcy

 

“Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies - Bear Ruedas, Phil

 

“champagne problems” by Taylor Swift - Josephine Kaiman, Hope

 

“I Don’t Like My Mind” by Mitski - Isabella Gutierrez, Rhonda

 

You can find all these songs on Spotify with a playlist entitled, “almost, maine playlist”!

And after this, start looking forward to our spring musical, Mamma Mia!

 

Sources:

  • Interview with Josephine Kaiman [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 3).
  • Interview with Lucas Gribbon [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 3).
  • Interview with Bear Ruedas [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 3).
  • Interview with Annabel Gross [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 3).
  • Interview with Isabella Hoadrea [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 4).
  • Interview with Scott Moeller [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 5).
  • Interview with Elijah Jackson [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 9).
  • Interview with Lee Paulson [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 12).
  • Interview with Isabella Gutierrez [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 17).
  • Interview with Milo Thomas [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 17).
  • Interview with Emily Dvi-Vardhana [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 17).
  • Interview with Ivanna Sze [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 17).
  • Interview with Annabelle Varghese [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 17).
  • Interview with Elena DiCerbo [Personal Interview]. (2023 October 18).
  • The Kearney (NE) Hub (2010).