The first vignette, "Her Heart" staring Robert Ringuette and Jasmine Rush and directed by Bob DeLibero, revolves around two characters. Glory, played by Rush, camps out in the yard of local mechanic East, played by Rignuette, in the hope of seeing the northern lights in the sky in memory of her late husband, West, while carrying her broken heart in a paper bag. What starts out as a funny misunderstanding becomes a sign of fate written brightly in the sky.
The second vignette, "Sad and Glad" staring Josh Paradis, Christin Clohosey, and Kate Ventiglimia and directed by Jannie Kitchen, is about two former lovers, Jimmy played by Paradis and Sandrine played by Clohosey, meeting each other after several years and catching up by coincidence in a local bar, constantly being interrupted by their enthusiastic waitress, played by Ventiglimia. Sandrine has moved on to another partner, while Jimmy has stayed in his state of woe since the break up. For Jimmy, as one door finally closes another opens.
The third vignette, "This hurts" staring Abigail Seabrook and Conor Burke and directed by Stephen Faria, is about two neighbors, Marvalyn played by Seabrook and Steve played by Burke, in the laundry room of their apartment complex. Marvalyn accidentally hits Steve over the head with her ironing board, to which he assures her everything is alright by explaining to her he cannot feel any sort of pain. Through their conversations together, Steve learns the differences between two types of pain. Physical and emotional.
The fourth vignette, "Getting it Back" staring Lily MacLeod and Christian Doyle and directed by Kimm Wilkinson is about a couple, Gayle played by MacLeod and Lendall played by Doyle. Gayle begins to break up with Lendall, returning all the "bundles of love" he has given to her throughouttheir relationship and demanding that he return her's to her. By the end of the fight, Gayle discovers that the bundles of love one gives to another can take all sorts of shapes and sizes.
The fifth vignette, "They Fell" staring Will Fraser and Michael O'Malley and directed by Tim Diering is about two co workers, Chad played by Fraser and Randy played by O'Malley, spending the night together drinking beer and complaining about how much they fail at holding their relationships. By the end, they both realize that some relationships can actually be held up. All it takes is a little fall.
The sixth vignette, "Where it Went" staring Jeffery Rath and Adrienne Montezinos and directed by Stephen Faria is about a married couple, Phil played by Rath and Marci played by Montezinos, are discussing their flaws with their marriage after iceskating while simultaneously trying to find Marci's shoe. Phil and Marci spend so much time trying to find out what can be done and try to find a sign as to what should be done. By the end, they find it. The shoe as well.
The seventh vignette, "Story of Hope" staring Kyle Linehan and Sarah Gibby and directed by Bob DeLibero is about Hope, played by Gibby, trying to find a young man after she abandoned him years ago. She finds a man, played by Linehan, and discovers a revelation. One that parallels that of "Where it Went." Love that once was, has now lost hope.
The eighth vignette, "Seeing the Thing" staring Julie McConchie and Jim Manclark is about two co workers, Rhonda played by McConchie and Dave played by Manclark, who have spent a long time having fun with each other and enjoying each other's company. On this night, Dave decides to show Rhonda an encoded picture of how he feels about her. Rhonda, not being able to see the picture, struggles with understanding what Dave's feeling is. By the end, Rhonda discovers the big picture and what Dave is trying to tell her. When searching for the meaning to something, one must simply look closer and closer.
Finally, one vignette, which was the Prologue, the Interlogue, and the Epilogue, staring Max Sklar and Kari-Lyn Mayne. The vignette is about two friends, Pete played by Sklar and Ginette played by Mayne, hanging out on a park bench. After Ginette declares her love for Pete, he tells her that she is not close enough (based on the circulation of the planet). This forces Ginette to walk away from Pete. As time goes by, Pete sits on the bench waiting for her to come back. By the end, Pete realizes that the farther she gets from him the closer she gets back to him.
These plays were very well constructed, well directed, and well performed. The performers ranged from laugh-out-loud funny to realistically sympathetic. They all have this touch of pathos to them that is backed up by the humorous dialogue written by author John Cariani. Each story describes what adult life in northern Maine is like. What works very well with the acting and dialogue are the technical elements. The set, designed by David Stawasz consists of rotating platforms that, while minimalistic, make it clear to the audience that this scene takes place in a local bar or the front porch of a log cabin. The lighting, designed by James Atkins, shine brightest, pun intended. The backdrop of the set, for each vignette, is a starry night backdrop that shine in multicolors and twinkles magically and romantically.
If you are looking to treat yourself to an original, live, romantic comedy, representing one of our neighboring states in New England, and expressing the highs and lows of real life relationships, then this play comes highly recommended. The Newburyport Firehouse's new production, Almost, Maine continues throughout this weekend, Saturday March 21 at 8:00pm and Sunday March 22 at 3:00pm.
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