ELYSE GRIECO
Life & Arts Editor
There is nothing that can compare to the power of love.
John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” tells the story of the relationships between citizens of Almost, a fictional location in Maine.
Fredonia’s Performing Arts Company (PAC) will be performing their own version of this two-act play from March 21-23.
According to the plot, Almost is not organized enough to be a town but too populated to be considered the wilderness.
Each scene tells a story about love featuring a different couple at the center of the plot.
These tales include heartbreak, hope and the complex evolution of relationships between friends and strangers.
“I love the extremely honest and relatable relationships that are portrayed, both the painful and the beautiful parts,” said Natalie DeBoer, sophomore B.F.A acting major. “Everyone in the audience will feel a connection with at least one of the character’s stories. There’s also a whimsical aspect to some of it, illustrating the magic and somewhat illogical nature of love.”
DeBoer portrays the role of Glory in the student-run production.
Scene one, titled “Her Heart” centers around this character.
Glory, a non-native to Almost, appears on stage holding a bag.
Suddenly a light porch comes on and out comes East, the owner of the property Glory has stumbled upon during her travels.
East approaches Glory and questions why she, a stranger, is on his porch.
Glory explains her situation and the two characters instantaneously become enthralled with one another, prompting Glory to reveal her hardships and what she has been carrying in her bag.
“She is a very honest and open person, despite the fact that she has been hurt in the past,” said DeBoer. “She still sees wonder in the world and people around her, regardless of the pain she’s experienced.”
“Almost, Maine” is composed of a prologue, two acts containing four scenes each, an interlogue and an epilogue.
PAC has been able to take this traditional script and create an adaptation of their own.
The group used diversity in casting to help create a more inclusive and modern take on these loosely correlating tales.
“The theme of this show is the many facets and manifestations of love. In our production, through some gender-bending and unique casting, we see how the joys and triumphs of relationships are not strictly heterosexual, homosexual, male or female,” she said. “It’s a love story for our age and era.”
PAC also used simple set design to direct the audience’s focus on the characters and dialogue included in the script.
“We don’t have a large set or many props. It’s all about the characters and their emotions. Audiences often expect a lot of spectacle in a show, but we wanted to just let the stories speak for themselves,” she said.
“Almost, Maine” will take to stage in the Costello Community Room located in Rockefeller Arts Center.
The show is open to the general public.
For more information on times of production, visit Fredonia’s website at www.events.fredonia.edu.