The New Albany High School Drama Department through its Summer Academy Production course will be performing Almost, Maine by John Cariani on August 2nd through August 5th. Set in the remote northern region of the state known simply as Township Thirteen, the play is a deliriously funny romantic comedy about people falling in and out of love during the aurora borealis or northern lights. Magic is in the air as these honest, hard-working people deal with the toughest thing there is to deal with in life: love. In addition to a prologue, interlogue, and epilogue, the play features eight distinctive glimpses into the lives of the Almost, Maine residents as they uniquely grapple with love. The scenes include “Her Heart”, about a repairman who discovers a woman camping out on his front lawn; “This Hurts” about a man who has to keep a list of “Things That Can Hurt You” because he cannot feel pain; “The Story of Hope” about a woman who returns to Almost, Maine to find the man who once proposed to her; and “Seeing the Thing” about a man whose made a painting for the woman he loves. Brimming with humor and pathos, Almost, Maine is a play that light-heartedly shows us how important the connections are between us.
Almost, Maine is the second production brought to you by the Summer Academy Production course. Last summer, students worked on Steve Martin’s witty Picasso at the Lapin Agile. This year, over twenty-one students took the course in which they learned about all of the aspects of preparing a work for public performance, including characterization, lighting, props, and sound design, publicity, and set construction. This unique learning experience better prepares its students for the rigors of the most authentic of assessments: public performance. Another wonderful aspect of the summer academy is it allows for alumni engagement and student-directed learning. Evan Cullinan (’11), Luke Davis (’12), and Sheridan Spychalski (’11) were all active participants in the programs; Mr. Cullinan even co-directing the show with Mr. Lemberg. The directors, Mr. Lemberg, Ms. Nettler and Mrs. Schill, hope to continue this wonderful experience for the students and the community next summer!
Ticket Information
Tickets for Almost, Maine are available for purchase at the door: $5 for seniors, staff and students and $10 general admission. All performances will take place in Mershad Hall in the McCoy Center for the Arts. Show times are 7:30 August 2nd, 3rd and 4th and 2:30 August 5th.
Parental guidance is suggested due to subtle alcohol and sexual references.