Review: ‘Almost, Maine’ induces laughter, connection

Upbeat Christmas music played in the background as parents, grandparents, friends and theater enthusiasts found their seats in the Thermond Drama Center (TDC) to watch “Almost, Maine,” senior Emily Ludwig’s student production.

The play, which was written by John Cariani, is comprised of eight vignettes that illustrate the excitement of new romance and the tribulations of relationships. 

After watching the show, my face hurt because I could not stop subconsciously reacting to every scene throughout it. Ludwig did an amazing job with the cast and ensured that each stage direction and movement of the actors created an atmosphere of intimacy and relevance with the audience. Each actor and actress was incredibly humorous, but still were completely capable of holding a full audience captivated in the silence of a moment. In fact, I was beyond amazed at the versatility and raw talent both the underclassmen and upperclassmen actors possessed.

Each joke or witty comment they delivered was done in a casual manner that the audience could easily relate to. For instance, in scene two, sophomores Mateusz Kranz and Kelly McLaughlin play exes by the names Jimmy and Sandrine, respectively.

While conversing, Kranz details all the people he has lost since the two last spoke. His parents had retired to Vermont, his brother had moved away and his pet had died. The collective sympathy the audience felt in this moment was nearly tangible. Then Kranz nonchalantly said, “He was a pretty good fish,” and the audience erupted in laughter.

In scene three, sophomore Amelia Berardo and senior Eoghan Walsh, play Marvalyn and Steve in a highly amusing manner despite only using simple dialogue and subtle movements. In this scene, Steve cannot feel pain due to a medical condition, and thus is not hurt when Marvalyn, after folding an ironing board, accidentally hits him on the head with it.

As Marvalyn frets and asks him if he’s fine, Steve simply asks if there is any bleeding or discoloration. As the two converse, Marvalyn, overcome with emotion, kisses Steve. She once again apologizes and asks if he is fine to which he pulls down his lower lip and asks if there is any bleeding or discoloration. Yet again the cast take the audience from a state of laughter, to suspense and curiosity and back to laughter.

Despite their young age, the cast was still able to successfully convey serious problems that plague many adults. In scene six, junior Zach Grob-Lipkis and McLaughlin portray a married couple, Phil and Marci, who have fallen out of love but are too afraid to admit it. McLaughlin blames Grob-Lipkis as being aloof while all the while claiming she is “not mad” at him. Yet, moments later she subtly admits that she was mad at him for making her feel lonely, for forgetting their anniversary and other important familial moments. Grob-Lipkis goes onto explain that he is only aloof because he is unsure of himself when he is around McLaughlin because she is a liar.

Although both actors are still high school students, the tension present in a failing marriage was apparent in their words and mannerisms, pulling in an audience whose laughter could not be contained moments into silence.

Overall, I was incredibly impressed with Ludwig’s rendition of the show and the cast’s talent. The knowledge Ludwig has accumulated about acting and directing through her active role in the school’s drama department was apparent in the production.