Rhonda and Dave stand in their frumpy snowsuits, a tension between the two. Their laces are tied tightly binding boot to foot. As the dream-like music rises and its bass quickens, the characters exchange a haste kiss while inexperienced hands fumble with bulky zippers.
Theatre St. Thomas will be presenting “Almost Maine” in the Black Box, this weekend.
“It’s a play about love. Hearts are broken, hearts are mended and each scene stands on its own,” said Ilkay Silk, STU’s director of drama.
The scenes from John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” are honest and straightforward in familiar way which audiences can relate to. Despite the play’s warm-hearted simplicity, Entertainment Weekly selected it as one of 2006’s worst plays. However, the play wasn’t thrown away to rot among failed scripts.
The collection of nine vignettes was discovered by people who understood a good tale about true love. It became popular with theatre groups around the world, especially with high school and university companies.
“It’s a wonderful play for students because every part is around their age so you’re not dealing with any age issues. It’s very much about young love,” said Silk. “It’s truthful and that’s the best kind of acting. It’s quite difficult to do this kind of acting, it’s been said it’s easier to play tragedy than comedy and I think that’s true”
Almost, Maine is a town which sits on the most northern point of the state. The play takes places on a cold clear night in the dead of winter. The northern lights dance upon the sky’s icy surface, while residents of Almost find themselves falling in and out of love in the weirdest ways.
It’s a story of magical realism, a fairy tale in the regular world.
“The part that is most unique is the magic that love brings. In most of the scenes everything is happening as it naturally would and there’s one moment in each of the scenes that changes the way the rest of the scene plays out,” said Priscilla Anderson, who plays Rhonda, a tomboy who finally finds love.
“I find that all the characters are totally endearing, you like them right away. They’re simply drawn, but they are very complex,” said Silk.
There are 19 characters, but each scene is surrounded by two specific characters and their heart’s quarrels.
“Because it’s so realistic, you’re able to fit yourself into the story or at least one of the scenes. Each one tells a different kind of love so no matter what by the end of the play you’re going to connect with with a character,” said Anderson.
Almost Maine will be playing at the Black Box from Nov. 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 23. Tickets are $5.
