‘Almost, Maine’ is almost, perfect

As the curtain opened on the Long Beach High School theater department’s production of “Almost, Maine” the audience was immediately transported into a magical star-studded winter wonderland. The dramatic staging provided the perfect setting for the suspension of disbelief that is essential to the understanding of this series of nine short plays that take a whimsical look at the perils and joys of love in the “almost real” town of Almost, Maine.

The ensemble cast of Sophie Allen, Sarah Colletti, Emily Crean, Anna Falvey, Annie Gloeggler, Jonathan Kapilian, Tom Marsden, Kayla McAvoy, Maegan Miciotta, Christian Musto, Steven Robert, Emma Thurston and Max Tunney showed the depth of their acting ability as they bared their souls with wonder, hope, frustration, anger, vulnerability, surprise, regret, pathos and joy, all while searching for the true meaning of love.

Through the clever use of metaphors and staging, symbolism runs rampant in these nine little gems by John Cariani. In one play, titled “Her Heart,” a hiker looking for the Northern Lights carries her broken heart around in a paper bag. In another play titled “Where It Went,” a lost boot represents lost love as a couple struggles to save their marriage. In “Getting It Back,” a girlfriend tired of waiting for a marriage proposal brings back all the love her boyfriend gave her, stuffed in big red bags. In “Seeing the Thing,” a tough woman learns to see beauty through the eyes of love. In “This Hurts,” a young man and woman explore the meaning of physical and emotional pain. In “The Story of Hope,” a young woman named Hope travels the world, returning home to find her own hopes for love have been dashed. In “They Fell,” two men discuss the frustrations they have encountered with women, only to realize they have literally and figuratively “fallen” for one another.

Director Vanessa Krywe once again brought out the best in her actors, with Emma Thurston making her debut as student director. Scenic design and lighting were artfully created by Kenneth Horgan. Technical director and master carpenter Corey Healy realized the creative set designs. Stage manager Bryan Tripptree kept the scenes flowing smoothly. Prop mistress Lexi Duffy kept the actors outfitted in layers of wool and flannel.