FPAC’s Production of Almost, Maine Opens Thursday Night

Playing+the+roles+of+Marvalyn+and+Hope+in+Almost%2C+Maine%2C+Cole+has+been+a+part+of+the+Fraser+Performing+Arts+Center+since+she+was+young%2C+which+led+her+to+audition+for+the+2016+spring+production.+%28Photo%3A+Mackenzie+Lenk%29

Playing the roles of Marvalyn and Hope in Almost, Maine, Cole has been a part of the Fraser Performing Arts Center since she was young, which led her to audition for the 2016 spring production. (Photo: Mackenzie Lenk)

Katrina Sanchez, Flash Staff Reporter

The Fraser Performing Arts Center’s production of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine opened on Thursday night. The plot takes place in the fictional town of Almost, Maine, and the story does not revolve around one love story but rather nine.

“Well, it’s essentially nine–each different, exciting, and unique–love stories that all take place on the same Friday night at nine o’clock in various locations of Almost, Maine, ‘a small town in Northern Maine that doesn’t quite exist,’” sophomore Miranda Cole, one of the cast members, said. “All the scenes have some kind of humor sprinkled throughout it, and each has their own kind of charm. Each ending is special–some end well, some don’t end well, and some are uncertain.”

Playing the roles of Marvalyn and Hope in Almost, Maine, Cole has been a part of the Fraser Performing Arts Center since she was young, which led her to audition for the 2016 spring production.

“I’ve been doing theatre here at Fraser since I was in kindergarten and have auditioned for every production I have been able to. I was especially interested in auditioning for this show because it would be my first straight play, not a musical,” Cole said.

Once Cole is on stage and in character, she does not find it difficult to connect with her character and bring her character to life.

“When doing my first scene, I feel a kind of connection to my character Marvalyn. She’s going through a rough patch with her boyfriend and is told that what she has with her boyfriend isn’t really love. Even though all the signs point to it, and she knows it’s true, she really doesn’t want to believe it. I’ve been in a situation similar to that,” Cole said. “If you have the right mindset, and you put yourself into that character’s shoes, thinking and acting–connecting to them is simple.”

Furthermore, during the several weeks of rehearsal leading up to opening night, Cole and her numerous castmates worked together as a team and bonded as a family as they joined to make Almost, Maine the best production possible.

“We all work very, very hard together, and everyone gets along,” Cole said. “We all have each other’s backs and will do everything we can to help any person get ready for their scene on time, whether it be finding their props moments before they go onstage, or assisting them with their hair, makeup, and costumes. We’re all a very close family of sorts, and we all work very well together. I love every one of my cast mates.”

All in all, Almost, Maine is a unique production that is highly recommended for play-lovers to go and watch.

“It’s certainly a unique show, something I’m sure most people haven’t seen quite anything like,” Cole said. “A very charming production that’ll have you questioning whether you want to laugh or cry.”