Kennett High School proudly presents Almost, Maine on Friday and Saturday, November 17 and 18.
Almost, Maine, written by John Cariani, is a beautiful play that highlights the funny, poignant, and often magical ways people fall in and out of love. The action of the play takes place on a single night in fictional Almost, Maine, a place too small to be considered a town . . . but almost.
The romantic comedy studies love and loss in the relationships of nine couples: Pete (Tejis Ranganath) and Ginette (Holly Gouge), East (Jimmy Rosser) and Glory (Francesca Caccamo), Jimmy (Colin Petersen) and Sandrine (Anais Jevtitch), Maralyn (Victoria Gonzalez) and Steve (Danny Drennan), Gayle (Tamblyn Mitchell) and Lendall (Connor Lang), Deena (Avery Chapman) and Shelly (Julia Haenn), Phil (Evan Shinn) and Marci (Megan Bunke), Hope (Abbie Duckworth) and Daniel (Christian Adam), and Rhonda (Mirella Petrillo) and Dave (Kevin Fiss). The role of the waitress is played by Emma Giancola.
Almost, Maine premiered in 2004 and enjoyed immediate popularity, perhaps due to its unique structure, surprise endings, healthy dose of magic, and timeless, relatable themes. It is the now the most performed play in North American high schools.
Nance Weber, parent of Kennett grads A.J. (class of 2013) and Jack (class of 2015), is directing her third production at KHS. Kennett teacher Katie Soukup is the production manager; Soukup and Weber are also overseeing properties and costumes. Science teacher Michael Anastas is in charge of sound and lights. Nat Caccamo and Paul Gouge built this year’s set, and Liz D’Wolf designed and painted it. Megan Appleby is the student production assistant.
“I’m fairly certain that everybody who sees this play will have some element in their lives that is an ‘almost’ since we live with ‘almost’ every day. As it has with the actors, I hope the show will encourage each audience member to think about where they might have an ‘almost’ and perhaps feel the same magical push that will take them to ‘what’s next,’” said Weber.
Both the cast and stage crew include students from all grades.
The curtain goes up on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased at the door; prices are $5 for students and senior citizens and $8 for adults.
