‘Almost, Maine’ hits the target with heart, laughs
Pawtucket Community Players create a world worth discovering
PAWTUCKET – The Community Players are warming hearts and bringing smiles to everyone who sees their production of “Almost, Maine.” It is outstanding.
This deceptively simple romantic comedy turns out to be emotionally engaging, thanks to clever situations set up by playwright John Cariani and staged empathetically by director Valerie Remillard. We recommend it unequivocally.
The play is presented in eight vignettes, all taking place on a cold night in the dead of winter in locations around Almost, Maine, a remote, northern settlement that can’t quite be called a town because its residents never got that organized.
Each situation involves different people falling in or out of love. One man has forgotten his wedding anniversary; two women compare “worst dates.” There are young couples and older ones, some just discovering love and others trying to revive old relationships.
What raises their stories far above predictability, however, are the plausible situations and the recognizably human characters. A touch of absurdity here and there adds to the entertainment, as do the visually humorous prologue, interlogue and epilogue.
When each different story starts, it’s not obvious where it will end up, and to explain would ruin things for first-timers. It’s enough to know that on opening night there was laughter; spontaneous “Aw, that was cute,” comments; a couple of gasps, and even pin-drop silence.
Everyone, however, will be impressed by how well this cast and director present the characters and circumstances. Nineteen roles are played by different actors, and there isn’t a misstep anywhere. Nobody is on stage for long – the vignettes are short and pithy – but everyone clearly conveys the personality and motivation of his or her character.
Remillard, the director, has a sure hand in keeping each character distinct and in staging the interactions without wasting time; the show comes in under two hours, including intermission. She also is the sound designer and put together a great playlist of songs with spot-on lyrics that are heard as scenes change.
The set, designed by Brian Mulvey, is minimal but perfect: a park bench, some evergreens in the background, a starry sky and an amazing display of “Northern Lights” that flicker in accordance with emotions; C. Richard Koster and Adam Ramsey are the lighting designers.
The Community Players’ production of “Almost, Maine” sparkles like starry skies on a clear winter’s night.
Change plans, if you have to, to see it because there are only three performances left, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., in Jenks Auditorium, 350 Division St., opposite McCoy Stadium. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students. Purchase e-tickets online and print at home at www.thecommunityplayers.net, or reserve by calling (401) 726-6860.