After months of rehearsals, hours spent building sets, and a cast full of passion. LM Players’ production of Almost, Maine is more than just a play: it’s a heartfelt journey through the stars. The play isn’t just about finding love, it’s about losing it and refinding it in unexpected ways. It evokes important questions about life, and this year, our school had an amazing opportunity to tell these stories on stage.
Written by John Cariani, Almost, Maine is a play made up of nine scenes that each capture a unique aspect of love. LM’s theater department, Players, created an unforgettable production with deep, emotional scenes and relatable characters. Some moments were sweet and warming, while others were bittersweet, reminding us that love isn’t always so easy. This all-student production left friends and family astonished. The show was held in the Black Box Theatre from January 30 to February 2. The cast put so much work into their show and they all looked forward to performing this amazing story about love and lust.
The show was chosen by the Players’ Reading Committee. John Grace, the Players Head Coach, described the process, saying that , “A consensus decision can take some time to reach. Patience, communication and respect for each member’s voice are the ingredients that the Reading Committee uses to make a great decision. Almost, Maine, a perfect and charming play for a black box production is the result!” The team loved picking this show to capture the time currently. Grace also said, “best fit for PLAYERS, and for the LM community, right now.” Grace continued, “Everyone loved this choice and gave them joy bringing it to the stage.”
Bringing the town of Almost, Maine alive was no challenge for the Players scenery, electrics, and production teams. The play’s unique style and format allowed the scenery team to have fun in designing and creating a realistic set. The set design, led by Charlie McCauley ’25, had a strong and welcoming wintery backdrop. Snow covered benches, cozy warm houses, and an open sky were used to illustrate the beautiful Northern Lights and those small town feels. Costuming also takes a major role in these productions, the amazing costume team was led by Del Reid ’25. Reid and the Costumes Crew put hard work and dedication into each and every costume in order to capture the frosted feel.
The heart of Almost, Maine was the outstanding cast. Since the play is made up of several different scenes, each actor got their moment. For many students, this was a step out of their comfort zone. For some students it was their first ever Players Black Box Theatre Production, but for others it was their last. Q. Throughout the weeks the cast built a strong connection, mirroring the relationships under the lights. Claire Evans ’26 says, “My favorite part about being in this cast is that we are all good friends. All of the cast members are close and each and every one have special bonds. Nobody in Players goes unnoticed and everyone is included.”
Rehearsals for Almost Maine started months ago with students springing into roles and navigating lines. With around twenty students auditioning, only ten made it into the show. These ten were dedicated to their roles and all play at least two different characters. Every character in this story has a different background full of experiences, and the actors were chosen for their ability to encapsulate those feelings and perform the story perfectly. Though they are all telling different stories, they are a part of the same world. Millie Feaster ’28 states, “It’s also nice to get to play two different characters, because you get the chance to portray two unique stories in one show.” For Millie, this show let her explore and reach out into new characters and personalities.
As the performances took place over four days, the cast and crew were buried in love from the audience. Each scene hit differently for each viewer—some laughed at the quirky awkward scenes while others felt the same grief or loss as those performing. The grace of Almost, Maine has the ability to reflect the many feelings of love, making some people feel it deeply. As many left the Black Box Theatre, they were reminiscing on their experiences of love, hope, and lust, which just shows the incredible power of Players.
The last curtain call on February 2 ended with roaring applause, a deserved recognition of the hours and work the outstanding cast put into their show. As actors took their final bow, emotions rocketed. For some seniors, it was a bittersweet goodbye to Players. For Players, this production was much more than a play; it was a moment of praise for their dedication and passion for storytelling.
Though Almost, Maine is behind them now, Players looks forward to their next big production of A midsummer night’s dream. But one thing is certain – the magic of this winter show will linger in their hearts, just like the Northern Lights present on those four show nights. In the end, Almost, Maine wasn’t just performed — It was felt.
