Almost, Maine by John Cariani gives us glimpses into several different love stories in a small north American town, each taking place during the same 10 minutes one evening as the Northern Lights appear. Each vignette has comic quirks, a character baring their soul, and the seed of something that could be beautiful.

This story is beautiful in its earnestness. I am big believer in the power of sincerity, in life and onstage. I really think we need more of it these days. The writer in his notes says this of the characters: “they speak simply, honestly, truly, and from the heart.”

I am a huge advocate for rural stories on big stages, and this play provides a great opportunity for this. I love working on shows with a strong sense of place and this play makes the location an additional character in the way it impacts on every character’s journey.

Almost, Maine is romantic, and it is a comedy. I’m deliberately separating those two genres out because the brilliant use of magical realism creates a feeling unlike what we expect from a rom-com, but the show definitely has wonderful moments of comedy as it explores romance. I love working with these genres because the emotions are so raw that there’s nowhere to hide.

The play’s essence is that love is intangible, but everyone wants to hold onto it.

Love shows up in different ways throughout the story. Romance is clear throughout, and current pop culture is celebrating stories about the bravery and importance of vulnerability and loving out loud. There are subtle references to the characters from each vignette existing in each other’s stories as friends, like the women celebrating Sandrine’s bachelorette party. This underlying thread of friendship and community creates warmth, which brings balance to scenes where the romance storyline carries more pain.

Another important theme is beginnings and endings. In each scene, something begins or ends, and in some there is both. Beginnings and endings bring change with them, and this can be scary, but it is also part of life. This offers catharsis. There is the ending that comes with grief and closure, there is the beginning of feelings that might tell you your current relationship is wrong, there is an ending that was needed and brings clarity. These stories can provide answers you didn’t know you were looking for.

The whole show is really about how small things can be a big deal. Each one of these stories is 10 minutes long and confined to one location, one moment. However, the effects ripple out until they light up the whole sky. It’s why when making the mood board, I was drawn to pictures with tiny cabins and big landscapes. It really contributes to the sense of hope in the play, because it tells the audience that everyone’s stories are important.