“It was an amazing play. It was by far the most beautiful one put on by this school.”
Reviewer: Gabe Rulo | Entertainment Writer
“Almost, Maine” at SPHS tells the story of a small, cold unofficial town where love, snow, and stars fill the air. It tells nine tales of love, loss and heartbreak. Characters are loveable and awkward in the best way and are played wonderfully by a talented and enthusiastic cast. The jokes are spot on and while some may produce a chuckle, many are worthy of loud, cheerful bellows. There is depth behind every corner– hidden behind a joke, cloaked in symbolism.
By far the most noticeable pieces of the production are the sets. Immediately the stage is cast in beautiful greens, blues and purples. A white sheet hangs in front of a large array of lights, producing a breathtaking eyeful of stars that look almost real and off in the distance. A projector shows gorgeous greens that make up the northern lights. These elements and many more come together to make the town feel real. One can begin to imagine the town from the various places shown. Everything, from the colors to the ways in which the characters speak, produces a feeling of realism. The audience is thrown into and immersed into a beautiful night in a snowy small town.
Comedy is a rather large part of the show; but unlike most romantic comedies, its jokes are intelligent. Some demand a bit of thought while most of them rely on the awkward silence that comes after a confessed love or a heated argument. Easton and Glory (played by Michael Bateman and Taylor Stokes) are such an example. Not even five minutes after meeting Glory, Easton is already confessing his undying love to her–and hilarity ensues.
“Almost, Maine” may just be one of the best productions by SPHS. It feels timely and is very well put together. The sets are larger than life and the cast is brilliant. This show is worth seeing again and again and again. The effects are beautiful and worth going to see the show by themselves. Overall a job well done.
“Almost, Maine” premieres November 13 at 7:00 p.m, November 14 at 3:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m and November 15 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and seniors.
www.sphsdrama.com