Majestic Theater
in West Springfield, Massachusetts
www.majestictheater.com
Almost, Maine
By John Cariani
January 7 - February 14, 2010
Review by Donna Bailey-Thompson
The only problem with Almost, Maine, now packing them in at the Majestic
Theater, is the charming performance interferes with a reviewer's role to
take notes. To shift attention away from the stage borders on the
sacrilegious: this beguiling collection of thin slices of life is fat with
the emotional basics that make our inner worlds go round.
Pseudo-sophisticates may have a tough time with this play because it holds
up a mirror to the inner self. In that sense, if Almost, Maine is disdained
as "simplistic," someone is missing the point.
In a series of short scenes, four accomplished actors - two women, two men -
ignite different triggers that spark romantic love to life and then, when
its dying, kill it. The brevity of the scenes credit the audience with its
ability to fill in whatever details may not be spelled out, similar to how a
radio listener "sees" with his/her own hidden camera.
Can the situations seem contrived? Sure, if you want to go down that road.
But consider the language used when trying to describe how a fortuitous
meeting came about- "I'd never gone into that store/restaurant/museum/park
before." Regardless of what triggered the how or one's personal beliefs,
something unexpected happened.
And so it is with Almost, Maine, a hamlet about 150 miles north of Bangor
and west of the ocean, which never became organized enough for official
recognition, hence its name. Okay, so that's cute, but how about some of
those legally registered names in Pennsylvania Dutch country?
On a winter night so clear that the firmament is studded with dancing
diamonds, the Almost, Maine residents and a few visiting outlanders
participate in love's birth, or love on hold, or love disappearing into
death. After actors Kait Rankins and Dan Whelton discover they love one
another, Whelton advances a preposterous theory that the farthest apart two
people can be is when they're right next to each other. Ergo, go far away -
further! - and so the She does. The He, standing stock still, becomes the
poster child for "Oops."
Kissing happens often and usually serves as a wake-up call. In one scene,
when an unexpected kiss alarms, the kisser apologizes and adds that the
polite and fair response is to give a kiss back. For twenty-something Rhonda
(Sandra Blaney), that shockeroo was her first kiss (bestowed by actor Tim
Cochran) but she proves to be such a fast learner that the scene ends with
the twosome (who had been snowmobiling) tearing off multi layers of clothing
at warp speed - a common sight in movies but when performed live under the
light touch of Director Keith Langsdale, the stripping is delightfully
hilarious.
Each of the vignettes is jump started; there is no languid building of a
character. WYSIWYG. The four actors assume - no, they become different,
believable human beings who have absorbed brazen or subtle attributes, and
then they peel back the onion skins to expose their innermost feelings. This
is especially evident in the eye-opener, Falling In Love. The two guys, best
buddies, hanging out under that starry sky, drinking beer, griping about the
lousy dates they've had, and Cochran hears himself saying that he doesn't
know why he bothers when he prefers hanging out with his buddy, Whelton. He
playfully kicks Whelton's toe. Langsdale's nuanced direction deftly builds
suspense, shock, disbelief, and recognition wrapped in amusement that laughs
out loud.
Producing Director Danny Eaton's stagecraft stable demonstrate their
artistry - again. Greg Trochlil's set design could be any widened place in
an upcountry road edged by large rocks rolled into place and flanked by
pines headed for that dazzling sky. Kudos to Costume Designer Elaine
Bergeron whose selections may be more important to the performers (as
reminders of who they're playing now) than to the audience who "get" the
characters right away. Lighting Designer Daniel D. Rist's craft is
appropriately discriminating with the exception of a couple of meaningful
spots.
The cast is exceptionally fine, totally believable, whether playing shy or
bold, sad or happy. They are Sandra Blaney (whose voice, at times, is
similar to Anne Heche's); Tim Cochran, Kait Rankins, and Dan Whelton.
After the applause died away, a couple staff members said, "Thank you for
coming." I had no trouble responding, "It was my pleasure!" As indeed it was
Remember the "Oops" poster boy? You will if you have the good sense to see
this entertaining show - one of the Majestic's best - that gives love a run
for its money.
-30-
Almost, Maine
Review by B. K. Grant
Almost, Maine blew me away. Maybe it was because I hadn't been to live
theatre in a while; I'm a wide screen movie fan. I like my performers in
up-close-and-personal large size. Or, maybe since I've spent years
vacationing in Maine, I expected a production with a laid back attitude.
Not! Each performer, four in all, in this, a series of vignettes nicely
threaded together by a brilliant star-studded winter sky, totally filled the
u-c-and-p requirement, satisfying my hungry soul.
I admit the first scene with its poignant declaration of love left me - and
Pete (Dan Whelton) a tad distressed. It did pave the way for more love,
hilarity, bewilderment, mirth, and, yes, more love. The dialog rippled
through each setting, evoking emotions and inspiring situations with which
we all could identify. From Jim's accidentally meeting his x-girlfriend the
night before her marriage, to the attempt to end a relationship by giving
back the love, nicely bagged, playwright John Cariani's script goes from the
sublime to the ridiculous and back again.
The costumes were perfect for the Maine climate; the character changes were
truly amazing. Not once did the same actor merely play another role; the
actor became Jim, became Hope, became Dan. The chemistry of the troupe was
evident with every line, no matter who was interacting with whom. Add in a
realistic set designed to make you want to put on your mittens, and the
package was complete.
I was so captivated with each story, each vignette, I will go back to enjoy
Almost, Maine again, and take my husband. Never mind "almost"; this one IS a
hit!
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