GCTC Presents: Almost, Maine

The Good Counsel Theatre Company Presents

The Good Counsel Performing Arts Center November 8 at 7:30 pm │ November 9 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm November 15 at 7:30 pm │ November 16 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm ALMOST, MAINE was developed by The Cape Cod Theatre Project. Professional Premiere Production: Portland Stage Company, Anita Stewart, Artistic Director, Tami Ramaker, Managing Director. Originally produced in New York by Jack Thomas/Bulldog Theatrical and Bruce Payne.

The Good Counsel Theatre Company Director Camille Pozderac Producer Kaya Harrison ’11

Scenic Design & Construction Rain Ayers ’25* Alex Hatziyannis ’25* Ava Pitner ’25* Vanessa Spring-Frank (M) Blake Mihm (M) Costume Design Anna Cohen ’27* Will McDowell ’25* Nicola Hoag (M) Lighting Design Ryan Bykowski ’25* Madison Boddie ’25* Laurie Bautista (M) Publicity Bella Yeats ’28* Tonia Essig (M) Sound Design & Editing John Godman ’25* Leyla Orhan ’26* Aiden Teter ’17 (M)

Stage Management Lily Sarfaraz ’25* Mimi Wise ’26* Jackie Bautista ’12 (M) Properties & Set Dressing London Gorman ’27* Dom Godman ‘25* Rosemary Celia Pompa (M) Hair & Make-Up Drew Kelly ’25* Su Lei Naing ’25* Roger Riggle (M) Jennifer Acton ’93 (AM) House Management Ciuffenna Riggio ’26* Chuck Hoag (M) Catriona Legrady (M) Run Crew Lily Sarfaraz ‘25* Jackie Bautista ‘12 (M) (*) denotes crew chief (M) denotes mentor

Director’s Note When people ask me what Almost, Maine is about, I sometimes find myself struggling to find the right words. On the surface, the play seems like a little story about relationships: nine different couples, muddling their ways through a winter night in a small town, traversing the peaks and valleys of romance and heartache and loss and love. But it feels remiss to not mention that on a more profound level, Almost, Maine is a theatrical exploration of the very nature of humanity and how we, as people, connect.

The more time I have spent with the script, the more impressed I’ve become with it.

It deceives us into believing it is uncomplicated: there aren’t many lighting or sound cues, the blocking is fairly limited, and while there is a lot of dialogue, the characters speak pretty candidly. But as I developed a better understanding of the play during rehearsals, I slowly became aware that playwright John Cariani has composed a perfect puzzle waiting to be assembled…the scale model of a town from a bird’s eye view, all rooted in the type of magic that the theatre does best.

Each vignette occurs simultaneously, taking place between 8:50pm and 9:00pm in Almost. During these ten minutes, relationships are built and broken, mystically shape-shifting into something new. Cariani uses the conceit of the Northern Lights, in all of their otherworldly majesty, not only to set a time table for the climax of every scene, but to inject a bit of the supernatural enchantment into the lives of those in the town. He furthers this with the magic realism of the metaphorical representations of love which allow us to immerse ourselves in this one very small place on the map, while also encouraging us to consider a broader understanding of our own world and relationships.

At its heart (slate or otherwise), Almost, Maine, is simple. But in its execution, it is a complex web of wistful beauty, a mix of whimsy and ache, truth and surreality. It is my hope that you are able to see and enjoy both the simplicity and the complexity, the scenes tied up with bows and the ones whose strings lie limp or knotted by the end. After all, existing in that middle space – one that allows for the contradiction of simultaneous highs and lows – is what it means to be human.

Camille Pozderac

ACT I Prologue Scene 1: Her Heart Scene 2: Sad and Glad Scene 3: This Hurts Scene 4: Getting It Back

INTERMISSION

ACT II Interlogue Scene 5: They Fell Scene 6: Where It Went Scene 7: The Story of Hope Scene 8: Seeing the Thing Epilogue

CAST of CHARACTERS

PETE Alex Silvey u/s Ayden Terrazas

PHIL Michael Byrdy u/s Gabriel Rock

GINETTE Susana Lopez-Chavarriaga u/s Grace Mueller

LENDALL Francis Hoag u/s Michael Byrdy

EAST Francis Hoag u/s Gabriel Rock

GAYLE Allison Payne u/s Morgan Slattery

GLORY Aspen Johnson u/s Susana Lopez-Chavarriaga

DEENA Janie Spelman u/s Morgan Slattery

JIMMY Hugo Diaz u/s Michael Byrdy

SHELLY Lizzie Stone u/s Morgan Slattery

SANDRINE Grace Mueller u/s Stella Humphries

HOPE Anna Legrady u/s Elsa Harlor

WAITRESS Morgan Slattery u/s Gabi Perillan

MAN Ayden Terrazas u/s Alex Silvey

STEVE Gabriel Rock u/s Francis Hoag

DAVE Hugo Diaz

MARVALYN/SUZETTE Elsa Harlor u/s Aspen Johnson MARCI Gabi Perillan u/s Anna Legrady

RHONDA Stella Humphries u/s Allison Payne

STUDENT STAFF

Costume Design

Scenic Design and Construction

Anna Cohen ’27*

Alex Hatziyannis ’25*

Will McDowell ’25*

Ava Pitner ’25*

Nydalynn Campos ’27

Dina Abudayeh ’27

Sebastian Fiol ’27

Nick Barczy ’28

Danilo Galindo ’27

Devin Bresnan ’27

Liz Hatziyannis ’26

Luis Buenaflor ’27

Alexandra Kissal ’27

Lauren Donahue ’28

Halina Niski ’27

Layla Hart ’28

Emma Paparizos ’26

Eliana Hailu ’28

Adrian Patiag ’27

Nikolai Kalinin ’25

Layla Rueda ’27

Joell Kelley ’28

El Seifert ’27

Aiden Rowland ’27 Alex Merkle ’28

Hair & Makeup

Daniela Moina ’25

Drew Kelly ’25*

Emma Paparizos ’27

Su Lei Naing ’25* Marcelle Bernard ’28

Run Crew

Canady Conerly ’25

Lily Sarfaraz ’25*

Andrea Gallardo Cruz ’28

Layla Scott ’25

Camila Deleon ’25

Emma Gieseman ’25

Roula El-Hibri ’28

Ella Johnston ’26

Jynelle Fosu ’28

George Hoag ’27

Veronica Glasgow ’25

Seamus Stevick ’25

Iona Jagannathan ’28

Elly Saiz ’25

Rosha Maysami ’28

Charlie Magyar ’27

Publicity Bella Yeates ’28* Vanessa Scholl ‘27 Tess Leonard ’28

STUDENT STAFF

Properties and Set Dressing London Gorman ’27* Dom Godman ’25* Gabrielle Reeves ’28 Jacob Roberts ’25

Stage Management Lily Sarfaraz ’25* Mimi Wise ’26* Mmadinobi Ijomah ’28 Sasha Sikora ’28 Elizabeth Wairimu ’28

Lighting Design Ryan Bykowski ’25* Madison Boddie ’25* Dylan Bennett ’28 Jude Buber ’27 Joey Donodeo ’25 Sam Seleshi ’26 Matthew Stripling ’27 Matthew Tercero ’28 Sound John Godman ’25 * Andrew Tang ’25 Jolyn Taawo ’28 Daniel Charles ’28 Megan Le ’28 Alex Hatziyannis ’25 Leila Croker ’28 Leyla Orhan ’26

House Management Ciuffenna Riggio ’26* Maya Burns ’26 Giovanna Cogliandolo ’26 Kayla Coomaraswamy ’25 Caroline Riddle ’26 Ava Serwit ’26 Katie Woods ’26 * indicates crew chief/designer

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Vivian Abudayeh Jessica and Dan Bykowski Crystie Byrdy Catalina Chavarriaga Francisco Fiol Kady Flannery Angela Godman Carla and John Gorman Mitzi Harlor Sharon Humphries Ashyia Johnson Alexander Lopez Michelle Orhan Carolyn Silvey Lisa Slattery Erin Spelman Nicole Stone Sue Yeates

SPECIAL THANKS

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School John Ciccone, President Thomas Campbell ’93, Principal Stephanie Morgan-Davis, Chief Financial Officer The GC Business Office Michael Matthews and the GC Maintenance Staff Tonia Essig and Lynette Young, GC Copy Center Paul Kennedy, Marketing & Communications Erica Tituana, Marketing & Communications Thomas Koslowski and the GC Ground Staff

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT FACULTY

CHORUS Mr. Stanley Spottswood ’81 | sspottswood@olgchs.org DANCE INSTRUCTION Ms. Kaya Harrison ’11 | kharrison@olgchs.org INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Mr. Tom Kramer ’07 | tkramer@olgchs.org Mr. Joseph Antico | jantico@olgchs.org PAC OPERATION MANAGER Ms. Laurie Bautista | lbautista@olgchs.org THEATRE INSTRUCTION & DIRECTOR OF GCTC Ms. Camille Pozderac | cpozderac@olgchs.org THEATRE INSTRUCTION Ms. Vanessa Spring-Frank | vspring-frank@olgchs.org VISUAL ARTS Mr. Nicholas Clulow | nclulow@olgchs.org Mr. Matthew Corrado ’01 | mcorrado@olgchs.org VISUAL ARTS AND DEPARTMENT CHAIR Mrs. Gretchen Irby | girby@olgchs.org

STUDENT BIOS Sebastian Fiol ’27 (Costume Crew) is a sophomore at Good Counsel. This is his first ever production ever! He would like to thank his parents for putting up with his annoying antics all these years.

John Godman ’25 (Sound Crew Chief) is in his senior year at Good Counsel. John has designed sound and lighting all four years at GC and is delighted to work on his last play! He would like to thank his mentor, Aiden Teter, his assistant crew-chief, Leyla Orhan, and IATSE Local 22.

Elsa Harlor ’27 (Marvalyn/Suzette) is a sophomore at Good Counsel. She has worked on past productions including The Diary of Anne Frank as Anne Frank, Frozen Jr. as Anna, and Shrek Jr. as Fiona. Elsa is a graduate of Imagination Stage's Musical Theatre Conservatory and a member of GC's Concert Choir. She loves to paint, crochet, and bake in her free time. Elsa would like to thank her family and Almost, Maine's cast, crew, and production team for their kindness and support!

Alex Hatziyannis ’25 (Set Construction & Sound) is in his senior at Good Counsel. He has worked on other productions like Clue, Tuck Ever-lasting, and OOTI. He would like to thank his mentors, friends, and the community of GCTC! Elizabeth Hatziyannis ’26 (Costume Crew) is in her junior at Good Counsel. She has worked in the costumes department for GCTC the past two years. She would like to thank her friends, who made costume crew so much fun for her!

Stella Humphries ’25 (Rhonda) is in her senior at Good Counsel. Stella likes to bake, sing, hangout with friends, and play with her little brother. She would like to thank her parents, friends, and family for al-ways supporting her in everything she does!

Drew Kelly ’25 (Hair/Makeup Crew Chief) is in his senior year at Good Counsel. He was in the productions Once on this Island and Diary of Anne Frank for hair and makeup. He also played in Tuck Everlasting. Drew has an irrational fear of knitted fabric and overhead lighting.

Drew loves designing and chicken piccata. He is thankful for his long eyelashes, fast metabolism, catholic education, and his cats.

Anna Legrady ’25 (Hope) is in her senior year at Good Counsel. She has been in the productions The Diary of Anne Frank as Margot, A Mid-summer Night's Dream as Helena, and Once on This Island as Andrea. Anna is so excited for her last season of shows with GCTC! She is in the IB Program and Dance Company at GC. She would like to thank Ms. P and Ms. Harrison, the cast, crew and mentors of Almost, Maine!

STUDENT BIOS Susana Lopez-Chavarriga ’28 (Ginette) is a freshmen at Good Counsel. She is delighted for her first Theatre production at Good Counsel. She has performed at Ford’s Theatre in A Christmas Carol 2019 and 2022, Adventure Theatre’s Mean Girls as Cady, Ovations Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast, Kensington Arts Theatre’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. as Flounder and Mersisters, St Jude Drama Club’s Shrek, Jr. as Fiona, Sister Act, Jr. as Mary Robert, and Moana, Jr. as Chief Ancestor. She has worked in numerous voice overs / commercials / audiobooks. Susana loves to sing, act, and dance. She also enjoys doing arts and crafts. She congratulates every-one involved in this production for all their hard work!

Joseph Maneval ’25 (Set Construction) is in his senior year at Good Counsel. He has worked in the productions The Diary of Anne Frank and Tuck Everlasting. Joseph is an Eagle Scout who hopes to study mechanical engineering in college. He would like to thank the great GCTC community that has put on so many amazing productions!

Alexander Merkle ’28 (Stagecraft Building & Scenic Painting) is a freshmen at Good Counsel. He was in the production Lion King as Pumba, Moana as Chief Ancestor 1, and Matilda as Mr. Wormwood. Alex loves to play sports, video games, and hanging with friends.

He is excited to see what the future holds. Alex would like to thank family, friends (past and present), and community for always supporting him in everything he does.

Grace Mueller ’27 (Sandrine & u/s for Ginette) is a sophomore at Good Counsel. She worked on costumes for Tuck Everlasting and publicity for The Diary of Anne Frank. Grace loves writing and baking in her free time. She has a dog named Molly and her favorite subject is English. Grace would like to first thank God for his continued faithfulness, and her family for always supporting her in every season.

Allison Payne ’25 (Gayle & u/s for Rhonda) is in her senior year at Good Counsel. In past productions she has played in Urinetown as Hope Cladwell, The Phantom of the Opera as Christine Daae, and The Diary of Anne Frank as Mrs. Frank. This December, Allison will be performing as Eurydice in Hadestown: Teen Edition at Ovations Theatre. Allison would like to thank Mrs. P, Mrs. Harrison, and her friends and family for their continuous support.

STUDENT BIOS Gabriela Perillan ’28 (Marci & u/s for Waitress) is a freshmen at Good Counsel. She has worked in the production The Little Mermaid as Ursula. She has a twin and has two dogs.

She also loves to play the piano. She would like to thank her mom, dad, and Ms. P! Ciuffenna Riggio ’26 (House Management) is in her junior year at Good Counsel. She has been in the production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for props.

Ciuffenna plays varsity soccer and runs varsity track at Good Counsel. Ciuffenna thanks her friends and family for always supporting her.

Layla Rueda ’27 (Costume Crew) is a sophomore at Good Counsel. She has worked on the costume crew for The Diary of Anne Frank and Tuck Everlasting. Layla’s favorite hobbies are crocheting, taking walks, baking, reading, and journaling. Layla would like to thank Mrs. Pozderac, Mrs. Hoag, her fellow costume crew, and her parents for this amazing opportunity.

Vanessa Scholl ’27 (Publicity) is a sophomore at Good Counsel. She has worked on Moana Jr. in the past but this is her first GCTC production. She loves hiking, soccer, and time with loved ones. Nessa would like to thank her mom, dad, and sibling, Oli, for their love!

Samuel Seleshi ’26 (Lighting) is in his junior year at Good Counsel. He has worked on Moana as assistant stage manager. Samuel enjoys reading in his free time, and is a big fan of the Percy Jackson series. He would like to thank his mother for going above and beyond in supporting him and his sisters!

Ava Serwit ’26 (House Management) is in her junior year at Good Counsel. Almost, Maine is the first play she has worked on. Ava runs cross country and track for Good Counsel.

Ava would like to thank her family as well as her friends for always being there for her and supporting her.

Alexander Silvey ’28 (Pete) is a freshmen at Good Counsel. He has been in Matilda, Jr. as Bruce Bogtrotter, Moana, Jr. as Maui, and The Lion King, Jr. as Young Simba. Alex also participates in Marching Band and enjoys solving Rubik’s cubes. Alex would like to thank Mrs. P, his family and GCTC for welcoming him!

STUDENT BIOS Morgan Slattery ’27 (Waitress & u/s for Gayle, Deena, and Shelly) is a sophomore at Good Counsel. She was in the productions Bad Seed as Rhoda Penmark, Grapes Of Wrath as Ruthie, and Tuck Everlasting as ensemble. Morgan fell in love with theater when she was just five years old and has been performing ever since. Morgan would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her during this show, and Ms. P for giving her this opportunity.

Janie Spelman ’28 (Deena) is a freshmen at Good Counsel. She has been in the productions Frozen, Jr. as snow dancer, The Little Mermaid, Jr. as a mersister, and Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the ensemble. Janie loves acting very much and loves to be a part of plays and musicals in any way she can. She would like to thank all of her friends, family, castmates, and teachers/coaches that have helped her with her ambitions.

Mimi Wise ’26 (Stage Manager) is in her junior year at Good Counsel. She has worked on Clue in props. Having enjoyed taking theater classes the past two years, Mimi is happy to take an active role helping with the show! Mimi wants to give a big thank you to the wonderful GCTC community that's welcomed her with open arms!!

Bella Yeates ’28 (Publicity Crew Chief) is a freshmen at Good Counsel. She been in the productions The Claw on stage crew and Space Pi-rates as the student director. Bella loves to work on the crew as she has done in her past school, and is excited to work on her first production at Good Counsel. She loves to do photography and biking in her free time. Bella thanks her family, Mrs. E, her crew, and all the people who worked on Almost, Maine for all the help and support they have given her.