This weekend, the GHS theater department will perform their fall play: “Almost, Maine.” The show runs Nov. 9-10 at 7 p.m. On Nov. 11, the show will be at 2 p.m. Tickets will be $8 for adults, and $5 for students. The play was written by John Cariani and according to The New York Times, ““Almost, Maine” is a series of nine amiably absurdist vignettes about love, with a touch of good-nature realism… witty, romantic, unsentimental.”
“I love this play and it’s a popular high school play and I’ve always wanted to direct it. It also has up to 19 speaking parts and I love that for high school,” theater director Jeff Schaetzke said.
Many of the actors think this play is going to be a hit with the audience. “I think people will enjoy this because it is slapstick comedy,” senior Bryn Richards, who plays Marvalyan, said.
Senior Jocelyn Dummert plays Marcy, and agrees that audiences will enjoy it. “I think audiences will enjoy this play because it is unlike any other play most people have seen and that will catch more of their attention.”
The students have been practicing since the first week of school and work many long nights after school. “The format of this play is very unique with it being a collection of stories featuring different actors rather than a singular storyline with a lead role. It is also emotionally moving in many of the stories,” junior Nick Galusha, who plays Lendall, said.
Throughout the play, many of the actors face their own challenges trying to connect to their role. “The most challenging thing is probably understanding my character. Her unseen character development is difficult to embody because I have yet to get past high school and can’t really imagine all of the years and emotion she has felt leading up to this moment,” senior Samantha Serenac, who plays Hope, said.
Schaetzke explains other challenges they face. “I think the hardest part is having students go deep into their characters and performances about the loss or struggling relationship part. No student has been married yet and there are a couple stories about difficult relationships.”
