Almost, Maine Program

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR Once it was decided that we would have to postpone our plans for the musical that was originally planned for the spring of 2022, presenting Almost, Maine became a logical choice. Almost, Maine is a series of vignettes set in a place called ‘Almost’ in Maine. Each of the vignettes contain people who are experiencing the feelings, the struggle, the pain and the wonder of love. The play takes a unique and creative approach in its examination of what happens to people who are in love, are moving on from or have lost a love. Each scene touches a chord within the human experience of love!

Due to our original intention to produce a musical, we have opted for a shorter ‘festival cut’ of Almost, Maine in order to include a musical revue of some familiar songs reflecting on the subject of love – a subject we all know something about.

It has been a distinct pleasure to work with the amazing cast and crew of Almost, Maine! I am grateful to Chris Joseph and his technical crew who are always so willing to support and assist the work we are doing by adjusting lights, sound, hanging scenery, and giving encouragement! I am also grateful to Stacie LaMoore, for stepping in to help manage this production. It is these amazing people who make this production a success!

Thank you so much for coming to North Central University’s production of Almost, Maine. It is our hope that your heart will be touched and warmed as you hear and see the stories of a few people from a place in the far north called ‘Almost’.

Wayne Matthews

“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.” -John Cariani Videotaping or recording video or audio of this production by any means is strictly prohibited.

CAST (listed in order of appearance) (where two names appear, cast members will alternate playing the role) Prologue/Epilogue Ginette......................................................Ketzie Leake, Mika Somerville Pete....................................................................................Anthony Carlson HER HEART East............................................................................................. Doyle Piper Glory...................................................... Sydney Heitzman, Bianca White SAD AND GLAD Jimmy...........................................................Ryan Knight, Nathan Tucker Sandrine............................................... Angel Dahlstrom, Jamie Stratton Waitress.....................................................Sophia Frigerio, Bianca White THIS HURTS Marvalyn......................................................Lexi Hunter, Olivia Voerster Steve..................................Anthony Carlson, Aaron English Scrimshaw STORY OF HOPE Hope........................................................ Sarah Graham, Sophia Frigerio Man....................................... Aaron English Scrimshaw, Nathan Tucker GETTING IT BACK Gayle...............................................Julianna Crandall, Sydney Heitzman Lendall...............................................................Ryan Knight, Doyle Piper

MUSICAL NUMBERS (in order of PERFORMANCE) Seasons of Love................................ Jonathan Larson and Daniel Cohen From the musical Rent Performed by the Ensemble 100 Years............................................................................ Five for Fighting Soloist, Sydney Heitzman Both Sides Now........................................................................ Joni Mitchell Soloist, Alexis Hunter Livin On Love..........................................................................Alan Jackson Soloist, Doyle Piper Crazy Little Thing Called Love...................................... Freddie Mercury Soloist, Olivia Voerster What Could Have Been..............................................................Gone West Duet; Sarah Graham & Ryan Knight Unbreakable Heart.........................................................................JJ Heller Soloist, Mika Somerville

MUSICIANS Piano........................................................................ Dr. Joshua Thompkins Guitar...........................................................................................Matt Berry Bass....................................................................................... Louie Schurrer Drums/Percussion............................................................ Tyler Anderson

PRODUCTION TEAM Director............................................................................ Wayne Matthews Music & Band Director........................................ Dr. Joshua Thompkins Stage Manager................................................................... Stacie LaMoore Choreographer...................................................................... Jayna DeMell Set Design/Construction............. Wayne Matthews, Dalen O’Connell Costume Designer................................................................ Bianca White Light & Sound Designer....................................................Caleb Ankrum

A NOTE FROM THE COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

T

heatre, at its core, is the art of telling people’s stories. As an educational program the Theatre Department at North Central University seeks to equip out students with the ability to ask questions about faith and life, and to grapple with those stories that are different than our own. As a result, many characters in our productions do not reflect a person who follows Christ.

We do not always agree with these characters, but we wish to represent them honestly and with excellence. And it is in examining these characters: their histories, their convictions, their choices and their responses to the world, that our students are challenged to develop discernment as artists who do follow Christ in a world that does not.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES Anthony Carlson (Pete, Steve) is a freshman majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Theatre.

His theatre experience includes playing Fitzwillian Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain and Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby. Anthony wants to use his abilities to be able to put smiles on the faces of his family and friends.

He can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for him. Especially his parents and little sister.

Julianna Crandall (Gayle) is a freshman majoring in Creative Writing. Her previous theatre roles have included Charlotte in Pride and Prejudice, Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, Chutney in Legally Blonde: The Musical, and Timon in The Lion King Jr. Julianna is delighted to be returning to the stage in Pride and Prejudice. After college, she hopes to pursue being a full time writer.

Until then, she will write in any capacity she can. She would like to thank her parents and siblings for being her biggest supporters and best friends. Most importantly, she would like to thank Yahweh for giving her His creative heart and being her true soulmate. Glory to God! Angel Dahlstrom (Sandrine) is a senior majoring in Music. Her previous roles include playing the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland, and Leodegrance and Guinevere in The Legend of Arthur.

Following graduation she hopes to mentor growing worship teams and teach music lessons.

Sophia Frigerio (Hope, Waitress) is a sophomore majoring in Youth, Children and Family Ministries. Her previous roles include Sally Girl in Beauty and the Beast, Erika in Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea, and Sheila Wellstone in The Wellstone Project.

Sophia’s future plans are to be obedient to her calling by becoming a Youth Pastor and spreading the Gospel to everyone she can.

Sarah Graham (Hope) is a sophomore majoring in Music Education and minoring in Theatre. Her previous roles include A Disciple in Godspell, Cinderella’s Mother in

Into the Woods, Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man, and Andrina in The Little Mermaid.

Following Graduation, Sarah plans to teach music and to be a vocal director in Children’s Theatre. She also plans to start a community theatre.

Lexi Hunter (Marvalyn) is a junior majoring in American Sign Language and minoring in theatre. Her previous roles include A Member of the Ensemble in Godspell, Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Princess in Jonah at Sight and Sound Theatres. Following graduation, Lexi plans to become a sign language interpreter for concerts and to someday tour around the world.

Ketzie Leake (Ginette) is a senior majoring in American Sign Language and minoring in Biblical Studies. This is Ketzie’s debut role on the North Central stage. She currently works for the coffee cart on campus.

Following graduation, Ketzie plans to work as a Support Services Provider for the Deaf/Blind.

Sydney Heitzman (Glory, Gayle) is a sophomore Global Studies major with a Deaf Studies minor. At North Central and elsewhere, she has played Mary Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Liz in Godspell, Sonia in Vanya & Sonia Masha & Spike, Robin Hood in Robin Hood and Sandrine in Almost, Maine.

After graduating, Sydney plans to lead missions teams and disciple upcoming young missionaries. She would like to thank her family for giving her grace even when she forgets to call in her busy schedule, Ryan for many hours of running lines, Wayne for his patience and for opening every rehearsal with prayer, and especially God for being her comfort through it all!

Ryan Knight (Jimmy, Lendall) is a junior majoring in Music – Recording Artist. His theatre experience includes playing Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and Judas in Godspell. After graduation, Ryan plans to write music for himself and others, work in a studio, work in esports and be a missionary wherever God leads him in the world.

Doyle Piper (East, Lendall) is a senior majoring in Studio Music Production. His previous roles include Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Horton in Seussical, Ralph Nickleby in Nicholas Nickleby, and Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit. After graduation, Doyle plans on pursuing a career in music production and audio engineering. Doyle’s ultimate dream is to open his own recording studio, but in the meantime he is trusting God to direct his path.

Aaron English Scrimshaw (Steve, Man) is a junior Theatre major. His past roles include Mr. Gardiner in Pride and Prejudice, Chorus Member in Antigone, Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, and Paul Bunyan in Comedy Suitcase’s The Averagers. Aaron is happy to be back on stage performing after the COVID-related disruptions. He hopes to use his theatre degree to … well, that’s a work in progress. He’s considered getting an agent for commercial work, getting into voice acting, or locking himself away to write lots of science fiction. He’d like to thank his family for free housing, NCU for having two commuter lounges, and his very patient significant other for running lines with him late at night and for being pretty awesome in general.

Mika Somerville (Ginette) is a senior in high school and has not yet decided on her major field of study. Her past roles include Lady Capulet in Romeo, You Idiot, Ismene in Antigone, and Catherine Wolfe Donohue in These Shining Lives. Mika’s future plans include to get married, have a family and be a stay-at-home mother and potentially opening her own ice cream parlor.

Jamie Stratton (Sandrine) is a junior majoring in Communication Arts and Business. Her favorite role was playing Rosie in Mamma Mia! Jamie hopes to teach English as a foreign language abroad.

Nathan Tucker (Jimmy, Man) is a junior majoring in ASL Interpreting. He played Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice and William in last year’s production of Godspell. After he graduates, he plans to stay in the Minneapolis area and work as a freelance interpreter. He would also love to have the opportunity to interpret for a theatre company.

Olivia Voerster (Marvalyn) is a freshman Pastoral Studies major. Her previous theatre experience includes playing Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Grace Fryer in Radium Girls, Jan in Grease, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, and Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka. She plans to one day open a church that is a place for everyone to come and have a relationship with Christ. Special thanks to Wayne for pushing my acting abilities farther than I thought they could go. And to the cast for becoming like a family to me. Love y’all!!

Bianca White (Glory, Waitress) is a junior majoring in Theatre. Some of her previous roles include Juror Three in Twelve Angry Jurors, Judy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins, and Mary in On The Verge. In the future Bianca plans to perform professionally and in theatre ministry as well be a published playwright.