By The Cloverleaf High School Journalism Staff
“Almost, Maine” is a charming and funny compilation of nine unique stories dealing with love and relationships. The people of Almost, Maine, are real and intriguing, and the audience is sure to relate to many of the characters and situations.
The show was written in 2007 by John Cariani and is meant to be a “Mid-Winter Night’s Dream.” Each story takes place at 9 p.m. on a Friday night in the middle of winter in the fictional town of Almost. It is a delightful romantic comedy, and befitting the uniqueness of the show, the play will be presented to the audience in the round.
“We always wanted to try to do a play in the round and this show definitely afforded us the opportunity to try it,” Cloverleaf High School Drama Director John Carmigiano said. “It should be a great experience for our actors and a very different experience for the audience.”
According to an article published by NPR ED on the most popular high school plays and musicals in the U.S., “Almost, Maine” is the No. 1 play being performed by high schools around America in 2017 and for the last decade.
The CHS Drama Club will present “Almost, Maine” Nov. 1-5 at Cloverleaf Elementary School. They will begin with a free dress rehearsal for senior citizens on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. The cast also will perform the show Nov. 2, 3, and 4 at 7 p.m., as well as a matinee show Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door starting one hour prior to each show. Adult tickets are $8 and students are $6.
“The show is really different and leaves the audience the opportunity to laugh and reflect on the relationships of these characters,” Carmigiano said. “The reactions and the possibilities for the audience are endless and could even be different on a second viewing of the show. This makes ‘Almost, Maine’ so unique.”
Cloverleaf senior Taylor Claycomb serves again as the assistant student director and stage manager. Seniors Jacob Berchtold (Steve), Reilly Cipullo (Chad), Sky Gill (Randi), Catie Hyatt (Glory), and Chloe Schwanke (Gayle) will be performing in their last fall production.
“The seniors include some great veteran actors and actresses, and some new ones that have really impressed me,” Carmigiano said. “Our cast really needs to take pride in their scenes and bring them to life.”
Underclass veterans Kevin Chudzinski (Phil), Kyle Chudzinski (Lendall), Dana Diehl (Marci), Julian Everstijn (East), Alexandria Hunter (Hope), Corina Rivera (Marvalynn), and Grace Winrod (Sandrine), also star in the show.
Asa Gynn (Dave), Joshua Musolf (Daniel), Baedan Smith (Jimmy), and Emily Winnicki (Rhonda) are all making their fall play debuts, and round out the cast.
The set was co-designed by Carmigiano and community member Eric Martin, who is helping to construct the set. Community member Tammi Chudzinski is helping with the logo design, costumes and props. There is also crew assistance from Elizabeth Cooper, Karen Martin, Logan Scandlon and Belle Trent.
The sound is being directed by Jim Heinrich, the father of Cloverleaf Elementary School music teacher Lisa Heinrich. CHS art teacher Mollie Jarvis is assisting with some of the graphic designing angles of the production.
“Almost, Maine” is recommended for teens and adults.
Cloverleaf Elementary School is located at 8337 Friendsville Rd., Seville.
Left photo: Sophomore Joshua Musolf and junior Lexi Hunter
Right photo: Senior Catie Hyatt and junior Julian Everstijn