Oasis Charter High School students are bringing the magic of John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” to the stage at The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral. The production, a tender comedy about love’s many forms, runs through Saturday, Nov. 7.
“Almost, Maine” is composed of several interrelated stories centered on love, with each narrative featuring a captivating pair and a hint of enchantment. The play is propelled by the mystical energy of the aurora borealis and populated by characters who are humorous, plain-spoken, thoughtful, and sincere. Under the glowing lights of the aurora, strangers, friends, and lovers in the tiny town of Almost experience the surreal, sometimes painful, and magical ways that love begins, changes, or ends.
A Magical Midwinter Night in Almost
Set on one deeply cold and magical Midwinter Night, the citizens of Almost—a place too disorganized to be a town yet too populated to be a wilderness—experience the life-altering power of the human heart. Relationships end, begin, or transform into something entirely different, as acquaintances become companions, companions become romantic partners, and romantic partners revert to being acquaintances. Playful and surreal experiences are commonplace in this world. In one scene, a woman carries her heart, broken into nineteen pieces, in a small paper bag. In another, a man shrinks to half his former size after losing hope in love. Elsewhere, a woman keeps the love she has for her boyfriend in large red bags, while he compresses his love for her into a mass the size of a diamond.
Local Students Take on the Masterwork
This delightful comedy had a recent staging by Theatre Conspiracy, and now Oasis Charter High School is set to present this John Cariani masterpiece. The production is directed by Oasis Charter High Performing Arts Director Carrie Guffy. The cast features a talented ensemble of students, including:
- Pete and Daniel: Ayden Witte
- Ginette, Waitress, and Hope: Allison Tarabokija
- Glory and Rhonda: Giavanna Abbattista
- East and Phil: Viktor Sweeney
- Jimmy and Randy: Connor Jackson
- Lendall and Chad: Constantine Belis
- Gayle and Marci: Isabella Chica
- Steve and Dave: Jonathan Cernuska
- Marvalyn: Liberty Pawloski
- Sandrine: Skylar Whiting
Community Arts in Southwest Florida
Oasis Charter High School is producing “Almost, Maine.” Support for arts and culture reporting in the region comes from the Estate of Myra Janco Daniels, the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation, and Naomi Bloom in loving memory of her husband, Ron Wallace. WGCU serves as a trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida, operating as a nonprofit public service.
The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral is the setting for this latest performance, providing a local stage for students to demonstrate their craft and for the community to gather for an evening of theater.
