The Pine Crest Upper School is excited to present the upcoming annual play Almost, Maine written by John Cariani.

Cariani describes it as a play about “Love, but not quite.”

Mrs. Ortega, a Pine Crest Upper School teacher and the director of this Pine Crest production, said it is about, “A mythical town in northern Maine where 19 people in 9 separate vignettes experience the Northern Lights at 9 pm on a Friday night.  Although each vignette is separate, they are connected by the statement about love and the northern lights.”

However, Almost, Maine is very different from last year’s play, Brighton Beach Memoirs written by Neil Simon. Brighton Beach Memoirs is a semi-autobiographical comedy that focuses on a Polish-Jewish American teenager, Eugene Jerome, who is growing up during the Great Depression and lives with his extended family. Almost, Maine contrasts to last year’s production specifically through the nine separate storylines that intertwine with each other.

Mrs. Ortega said this “Invites the audience to find the connections and to think beyond the obvious.”

Junior Natalie Rubenstein, an actress in the play, said, “Almost, Maine is unlike any play I’ve been in. Every pairing has their own vignette where the audience is truly able to relate, sympathize, and witness the complexities within human relationships.”

Due to the nature of the nine storylines, the play does not have a definitive lead, but all the students involved in the play have been working hard since early December to make it the best production possible. Rehearsals take place almost every day after school and on Saturdays.

All the actors’ and actresses’ hard work will be shown off on February 21 and 22 when Almost, Maine will be presented to the Pine Crest community to view.

Sophomore Jade Klacko, who is acting in the play, describes it as “a must-see for all Pine Crest students.”  

It is sure to be one to remember and a unique experience for all to enjoy.

Sources: StageAgent, OnStage