Almost Maine
About the Play
Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.
North Shore Zone Festival Entry 2019
Almost, Maine was the NVCP’s entry into the annual Theatre BC North Shore Zone festival of plays, running May 6-11 at Presentation House Theatre. This play participated in friendly competition with presentations from other community drama groups and one secondary school, under professional adjudicator Joan MacLean. Come and support Almost, Maine, performing on Thursday, May 9 with curtain at 8 pm. For further details Presentation House Theatre. Come and support your favourite club in this annual event.
Almost Maine is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Let’s be honest, everything that will ever be said about Love has been said. In literature, theatre, music, dance and mediums we haven’t even thought about yet: Love has been the subject. And we enjoy all aspects of it, the start, the middle, the end, the struggle, the success. We sing along with songs about Love in the car (or bus!) on the way to work, we go see movies and wonder who they will choose, the cool damaged person, or the caring funny one. We cheer when it blooms and we cry when love dies. Almost, Maine gives us one magical night in which all aspects of Love are experienced. And this cast and crew has been working hard to show these to you. So please, after the show, tell them what you loved about the show, because theatre about love is not always easy. It can draw up emotions you don’t want to share, it can remind you of mistakes and things you wish you hadn’t said. Anything you didn’t like about the show… well that’s on me alone. Now sit back, it’s a cold night in Northern Maine and anything could happen. – Miles Lavkulich
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to North Vancouver Community Players’ production of Almost, Maine. This play is our entry into the Theatre BC North Shore Zone Festival. If you have friends or family who were unable to see this show at Hendry Hall, please let them know they can come to Presentation House Theatre on Thursday, May 9, and you can see it again too! We hope that you will leave Hendry Hall tonight having enjoyed a wonderful evening of live entertainment. If you would like to join into the fun on and off stage, please check out our website North Van Community Players under the section Volunteer. We would love to have you aboard! – Fran Heaney
| Character | Played by |
| Pete, Steve, Daniel | Sam Fraser |
| Ginette, Waitress, Shelly | Kelsey Robertson |
| East, Phil | Peter Slade |
| Glory, Deena | Kathryn Ferguson |
| Jimmy, Lendall, Dave | Ryan Johnson |
| Sandrine, Hope | Angie McLeod |
| Marvalyn, Rhonda | Elizabeth Drummond |
| Gayle, Marci | Colleen Brow |
| Director | Miles Lavkulich |
| Production Manager | Anne Marsh |
| Author | John Cariani |
| Stage Manager | Kathleen Denkewalter |
| Set Designer | Linda Sharp |
| Set Construction | Barry Walker, Bob Martin, and Arnie Ostevik |
| Set Decorators / Painters | Linda Sharp, Robin Hilliard, Fran Crossley, and Sharon Lisette |
| Properties | Ray Boucher, and Cara Jacobsen |
| Lighting Designer | Bill Howorth |
| Lighting Assistants | Miles Lavkulich, and Cara Jacobsen |
| Sound Designers | Miles Lavkulich |
| Sound Assistant | Anne Marsh |
| Lighting and Sound Operators | Cara Jacobsen, and Liz Whittaker |
| Costumes | Alison Sawers |
| Back Stage Crew | Shayla Lazenby |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh, and Pam Kearns |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Sandy Branning |
| Opening Night Catering/Decoration | Sharon Alexander, Margaret Lee, and Leslie Whittaker |
| Box Office | Mitchell Mackay |
| Photographer | Damon Calderwood |
| Videographer | Paul Paterson |
| Original Performance Dates | April 5 to 20, 2019 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Romantic Comedy |
| Special Thanks To | Andrew Massil, Mitchell Mackay, and North Shore News |
| Miles Lavkulich | Director – This is Miles’ third show for NVCP as a director and he’s had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented, positive and patient people here. He seems to get the shows people wonder “how are we going to fit that on this stage?” Previous shows include Rabbit Hole with Vagabond Players, The Mystery of Irma Vep with NVCP, Garage Sale with Surrey Little Theatre and Beyond Therapy with The Page Theatre. Miles draws his inspiration for this show from too many Nicholas Sparks’ movie jokes, Celine Dion’s song Ashes, The Baby’s hit Every Time I Think of You, and of course his own love Julia. |
| Colleen Brow | Gayle, Marci – Colleen’s tickled ‘red’ to work with this super cast and crew. Hendry Hall regulars may recognize her from Crimes of the Heart, (Chick), Yesteryear (Brothel Madam) and The Odd Couple (Mickey the Cop). She performed her comedy show Ten Tips for a Collapsed Uterus at last year’s Vancouver Fringe and remounts it at the Theatre BC North Shore Zone Festival of Plays on Tuesday, May 7. She thanks Director Miles for liberating her dramatic side (she’s tried the fake tears thing at home – it works). |
| Elizabeth Drummond | Marvalyn, Rhonda – Elizabeth has been acting for over 15 years in the Vancouver and Fraser Valley area. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting from Trinity Western University (TWU). Most recent credits include Eleanor in The Haunting of Hill House, Kitty in Charley’s Aunt (Vagabond Players), and Ursula/Verges in Much Ado About Nothing (TWU). She would like to thank Miles, Kathleen, and the whole cast and crew for their hard work! |
| Kathryn Ferguson | Glory, Deena – Kathryn is delighted to be a part of this magical production. Kathryn has previously trod the boards of Hendry Hall in The Odd Couple, 2000, Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun and Treasure Island. She would like to thank the cast, crew, director, and devoted NVCP members for creating a little slice of life that is rich in heart. |
| Sam Fraser | Pete, Steve, Daniel – Sam is an actor and writer from North Vancouver. After making his NVCP debut as Algernon Moncrieff in last year’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Sam is very excited to return to Hendry Hall for another wonderful production! Sam first did Almost, Maine way, way back in high school, and even played one of the same characters he’ll be playing tonight. (See if you can guess which one!) Some of Sam’s recent credits include Albireo (Rushed Productions) and The Music Man (Highlands United Productions). |
| Ryan Johnson | Jimmy, Lendall, Dave – From the cold Tundra that is now known as Edmonton, Alberta, a child was bestowed upon this world with little interest in acting. Some 23 years ago, he stumbled across the boards of the Langley Playhouse and it was there he started his training. After years of study and horrible part after horrible show, our young hero finally achieved recognition among the North Van Players when he bared his all in Enchanted April. After that, 2000 and then finally Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun. Who knows what dangers lie ahead. As long as those who view him get a chuckle every now and then. |
| Angie McLeod | Sandrine, Hope – Angie is thrilled to be back onstage and working on one of her favourite scripts. When not directing or performing in community theatre, you can usually find her emceeing the Lumberjack Show at Grouse Mountain, or working on her sketch comedy web series, Pancake Laundry Monday. (check it out on YouTube!) She hopes this play will move, amuse, and inspire you. |
| Kelsey Robertson | Ginette, Waitress, Shelly – Kelsey is thrilled to be taking part in such a warm and magical production. She would like to thank her family and friends for their patience and support, the cast and crew for their dedication, and Miles for giving her this opportunity. Recent credits include Little Red Riding Hood (Vagabond Players), We the Jury and Six Characters in Search of an Author (University of Wales), A Dream Play and Steel Magnolias (Douglas College). Kelsey’s love for theatre continues to grow, and she looks forward to finding the little bits of magic in theatre wherever she goes. |
| Peter Slade | East, Phil – Peter is delighted to be appearing with such a talented cast and crew in his first play with North Vancouver Community Players. After appearing in numerous roles throughout the Greater Toronto area, last year he played Ralph (Senior) in Between Shifts Theatre’s (Squamish) production of A Christmas Story and appeared with Theatre West Van in Agatha Christie’s Go Back for Murder. Previously, Peter appeared in Vancouver with Fighting Chance Productions (FCP) in Parade and Ragtime the Musical: in Concert. He hopes you feel the love in this wonderful staging of Almost, Maine. |