The town of Almost, Maine, is so far north, it’s almost not in the United States; it’s almost in Canada. And it almost doesn’t exist because the townsfolk never got around to getting organized. So, it’s just … Almost.
In Almost, love fluorishes and flounders as Starkville Community Theatre presents this season extra by John Cariani called “Almost, Maine.”
It is a “romantic comedy-drama with a hint of the fantastic,” as characterized by SCT veteran director Gabe Smith of Starkville.
Audiences visit Almost on a cold, clear Friday night in the middle of winter. Northern Lights hover in the sky as the town’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Love is lost, found and confounded in a series of individual vignettes that build on each other.
“And again, it’s funny,” said Smith. “I responded to the way it wears its heart on its sleeve but never descends into melodrama or saccharine excess. It has a very smart, very light touch with its fantasy elements, and it’s often exceptionally funny without relying too much on easy targets or one-liners.”
The large ensemble cast includes SCT regulars and newcomers from the area: Haley Barton, Isa Stratton-Beaulieu, John Brocato, Austin Burns, Stacy Clark, Kel Dantzler, Michael Dendy, Sean Dyess, Thomas La Foe, Ben Lang, Robbie Leach, Judy Leonard, Heather McGinn, Brenda Mayo, Justine Moser, Warren Nybo, Heather Shaw, Drew Stark and Jonette Wilburn. Jacob Jordan is assistant director.
How to go
Performances are May 26-30 at 7:30 p.m. at the 89-seat Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville. Tickets are $15; $10 for students. For tickets or more information, call the SCT box office, 662-323-6855, Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn more about SCT at sct-online.org or follow them on Facebook.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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