Cappies Review: 'Almost, Maine' At Justice High School

By Mariah Adams of Mount Vernon High School

Almost, Maine, written by John Cariani and first performed in 2004, is a heartfelt and whimsical exploration of love, with all its complexities. Set on a winter night on a Friday in the quiet, remote town of Almost, Maine, the play is unique in its structure, consisting of nine short vignettes that offer snapshots of various couples. Each vignette shows one of the different aspects of love, from falling in love to falling out of it. The production at Justice High School brought these touching moments to life with a blend of humor, raw emotion, and captivating performances.

An amazing performance came from the scene between supporting actors Gayle, played by Rahel Kassa, and Lendall, played by Jason Gonzalez-Canales. Kassa's performance was nothing short of powerful, whether she was in disgusted denial or overwhelmed with love, she showed raw, brilliantly executed emotion. Her more intense, emotional performance was beautifully contrasted by Gonzalez-Canales's more grounded one. His calm demeanor, shown through gentle movements and a soft, loving tone, showed his understanding of his role and perfectly captured the "opposites attract" theme that echoed throughout the scene.

Hope, portrayed by supporting actor Sofi Hemmens, brought an incredible mix of comedic timing and deep reflection to her role. Their portrayal balanced moments of embarrassment with reflective pauses, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the character's inner conflict with her past decisions and her current rash actions. Hemmens's ability to shift from light-hearted, almost awkward humor to moments of genuine emotional depth was a testament to their impressive acting range and their use of timing and inflection to do this shows their amazing acting ability.

The set design by Lucas Phinney was another highlight of the production, contributing greatly to the cozy and intimate atmosphere of the play. The snow globe framing around the stage emphasized the feeling of a small world where these fleeting moments of love could unfold. The addition of a detailed house front set piece with a functional porch light gave the performance a realistic touch, making the fictional town of Almost come to life.

The lighting, done by Chloe Bernasconi, also nicely added to the show, enhancing the emotional tone of the play. The lighting design subtly emphasized the themes of love and connection, with pink hues illuminating the more romantic moments. Special lighting effects were used to simulate a shooting star as well as simulate snowfall during set transitions, creative touches that made this production just a bit more magical.

Overall, Justice High School's production of Almost, Maine was a beautiful reflection of the complexities of love and relationships. With strong performances, a thoughtful set design, and inventive lighting choices, the production succeeded in creating a warm, intimate atmosphere that made the audience feel like they were witnessing these love stories firsthand. From the humorous to the heartfelt, the show delivered a series of moments that resonated deeply with all who were lucky enough to witness them.