Love and the Northern Lights shine in ‘Almost, Maine’

The Department of Theatre and Dance’s production of “Almost, Maine” provides audiences with a glimpse into the heartfelt lives of several members from the fictional  town, “Almost” as they explore realities of love and relationships.

The play, “Almost, Maine”  is written by John Cariani and premiered off-Broadway in 2006. The cast features 20 characters, but originally only had four actors, according to Ed Kahn, the director of the Ohio Wesleyan show.

According to Kahn, the play did not do well during its original run in New York City, but has progressively earned more fame. The show returned to NYC for the first time in early February.

“It’s fun to do this show at OWU at the same time as the New York revival,” said Kahn.

Because OWU’s production features 10 actors and actresses each person has two characters to portray.

Senior Jenea Dominguez plays the roles of Sandrine and Suzette.

“It’s been a fun discovering process,” Dominguez said. “They’re two different women and deserve respect in different ways.”

The play is full of “literal idioms made literal,” said Kahn. The audience will witness broken hearts, people falling in love and “waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

About the Show

The play consists of eight scenes that follow individuals and couples in the town of Almost, Maine as they forge new relationships, confront old lovers and fall out of love, all under the watchful gaze of the Northern Lights.

Kahn said, “[The characters] know what they want, but are human in the way they go about getting it.”

“The play is very witty, clever and truthful,” said junior Kristen Krak, who plays Ginette and Gayle. “It’s heartbreaking and funny and it’s been a lot of fun digging into it.”

Senior Nick Ehlers plays Steve and Man. He said, “It’s an honest look at love; sometimes cute, sometimes messy.”

“Almost, Maine” opened last weekend and will have three more performances this weekend: Feb. 28 and March 1 at 8 p.m. and March 2 at 2 p.m.