The Varley Players at Byram Hills High School charmed audiences with a heartwarming trip filled with love and loss to the imaginary place called Almost, Maine.
“Congratulations to the cast and crew of Almost, Maine,” said director Dr. Douglas Coates, the Byram Hills chorus and theater teacher. “I am exceptionally proud of our students. Their dedication was remarkable.”
The 2004 play by John Cariani is told in vignettes and set in a span of 10 minutes on a winter Friday night, capturing a snapshot of ordinary lives touched by the extraordinary. With a nod to Shakespeare’s comedies, the play has been called “A Midwinter Night’s Dream,” Dr. Coates said, with the magic of love and serendipity.
Almost, Maine, performed on May 17 and 18, portrays regular people grappling with universal themes amid the backdrop of rural America. The characters, grounded in small-town life, navigate the complexities of poverty, unemployment, addiction and the bittersweet undercurrents of hope and despair.
“In embracing the challenge of bringing their characters to life, the students demonstrated remarkable insight and empathy,” Dr. Coates said. “Stepping beyond the confines of their own experiences, they delved into the lives of others, discovering shared humanity amid diverse circumstances.”
“Their portrayal of the joys and challenges faced by the residents of ‘Almost’ reflects not only their talent but also their deep understanding of the human condition,” he added. “Through their terrific performances, they have illuminated the universality of human emotions, bridging the gap between different worlds with sensitivity and grace.”
Junior Sophia Getz, who played Hope, said the casting was amazing and the show brought the cast and crew close together.
“In this production, I was able to understand my character on an extremely personal level and really bond with both cast and crew members,” she said. “In my senior year, I genuinely can’t wait to continue building the amazing environment and relationships that bloomed in Almost, Maine. I can’t believe it all went by so fast.”
Junior Paley Kirschner played Rhonda, a tough, outdoorsy girl who works at Bushey’s Lumber Mill and loves snowmobiling. Rhonda isn’t your typical romantic lead, Paley says, “she’s strong, energetic, and a bit gruff, which made her a really fun and challenging character to bring to life.”
“Almost, Maine is a play that stays with you,” Paley adds. “It reminds us that love is everywhere, even in the coldest, most unexpected places. It taught me a lot about stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing the unknown, much like Rhonda does. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a beautiful production and to share this story with our audience.”
Jackson Pravda, who played Phil, said: “This is the most beautiful show I have ever been a part of. From the Northern Lights to the beautiful sets, this show constructs a gorgeous and cohesive setting to build a story upon.”
“The design of Almost, Maine has many different scenes with many different characters where all of them are in love, falling in love, or falling out of love,” said Jackson, also a junior. “The thought process of how to portray such intense emotions was a great learning process for everybody. The dedication of the entire cast was crucial in the process of bringing it before an audience on stage.”
