The St. Francis Drama Project Presents "Almost, Maine"

Maine SPRING PLAY 2021

Produced & Directed by Reed Gabhart

Saturday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Developed by the Cape Cod Theatre Project

Facebook Livestream: https://fb.me/e/1YQt1iMzj

Professional premiere production by Portland Stage Company; Anita Stewart, Artistic Director and Tami Ramaker, Managing Director Originally produced in New York by Jack Thomas/Bulldog Theatrical and Bruce Payne Presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York

2018

Cast Prologue/Interlogue/Epilogue Pete: AJ Stevenson

Ginette: Mireia Cecil* Teagan Morrison

Her Heart East: Lachlan Apple

Glory: Katie Mushkin

Sad and Glad Jimmy: Jackson Sleadd

Sandrine: Mya Stevenson

Waitress: Amy Bagley

This Hurts Marvalyn: Jane McLeroy

Steve: Nolan Brown

Getting It Back Gayle: Mia Barbercheck

Lendall: Jack Scantland

They Fell Chad: Lachlan Apple

Randy: Nate Brantley* Ben Manno

Where It Went Phil: Alex Miguel

Marcie: Teagan Morrison

Story of Hope Hope: Addie Regnier

A Man: Ben Manno

Seeing the Thing Dave: Jackson Sleadd

Rhonda: Amelia Gorman

*These actors were unfortunately unable to perform after having rehearsed the role until this week. The second actors listed have taken on the roles as of Wednesday.

The Producers/Crew Produced & Directed By...... Reed Gabhart, SFS Drama Project Director Assistants to the Director...................... Ben Manno and Mya Stevenson Lighting............................................................................. Wyatt Reynolds Sound................................................................................... Rand Massey Stage Crew....................................Ben Manno, Mya Stevenson, and Cast Special Note: Kudos to 8th grader Wyatt Reynolds who, along with lighting consultant extraordinaire Scott Bagley, designed our “Northern Lights” effect!

From The Director In my years of acting, directing, and attending live theater, I thought I’d seen it all; grade school theater (I played Macbeth in 4th grade!), the passion and angst of high school shows, the IU program, directing a multitude of shows at St. Francis (with tons of smashes, bloopers, memories, and “stories”), seeing shows on Broadway and in London… but no, nothing prepared me for “Pandemic Theater!” (Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun!) So this year has been a real learning curve (parabola?). And this also happens to be my first year working with the high school actors, most of whom I directed at Goshen. It’s been a “homecoming” and so much fun, even with all the obstacles. Last fall, the kids asked me if we could do Almost, Maine (and truth be told, I had no idea what we were going to do). The second they said it, I knew we were set; it is one of my favorites and one of the best modern American plays in my opinion.

AND, it is perfect for Pandemic Theater, to “boot!”

Almost, Maine is one of the most unique plays I have ever read. It is abundantly clear that the playwright, John Cariani, cares deeply about this region and the people who live there. This appeals to me as I love our region (both Southern Indiana AND the Louisville area!) and understand his fierce loyalty to the peculiarities of his native state (I assume). I have never read a play that is so meticulous in its stage directions, right down to proper pronunciations, “fun facts” about Maine, and even which type of beer you must use as a prop. Even more interesting, it is written in such a fashion as to force the actors to talk on top of each other. Usually this is a no-no in live theater (other than ad-libbing), but it is exactly how people behave in real life, as we all know! Even those in the throes of love stomp all over each other. Listen for it, you can’t miss it. Combine those elements with the fanciful nature of this show and the plot twists, and you have the cherry on top.

But ultimately, it is the theme that is the heart of this show - and I do mean heart. Most of us can identify with many of these scenes: the sweetness, the heartache, the agony, the laughs, and the thrill of newfound love. I hope you enjoy reliving these emotions again. Love can certainly be exhilarating and exasperating, but “sometimes you just have to be a little persistent in there.”

Reed Gabhart, SFS Drama Project Director

“Thank You! That’s What People Say!” • Daniel Woodley and David Allgeier for technical assistance (including hanging a 240-pound LED light curtain!)

• Scott Bagley for his lighting expertise and consultation time!

• Andi McLeroy for organizational assistance!

• Chuck Biddle for videography!

• Alex Horner and Claire Richards for photography!

• Sharon and Charles Bates for support of the SFS Drama Program yet again!

• Judy Riendeau for fabulous set artwork (she always puts her “heart” into it)!

• Suzanne Gorman for dress rehearsal pizzas for all!

• Marcy Jackson for tickets, program, and publicity!

• Síofra Rucker for her unwavering support of the Drama Program!

• Dave Mattingly for Tech Booth assistance!

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Gold Level The Bagley Family Trina & Jay O’Brien

Blue/Red Level The Scantland Family Laura Beasley

Thespian Level The Stevenson Family The Miguel Family Amy Montgomery

Supporting Lines Lachlan Apple: We are energized and inspired by your passion for theater and are excited to see you portray East and Randy. A huge “Thank You” to Mr. Gabhart and St. Francis for continuing to safely produce high school drama during COVID-19! Love, Your Family Amy Bagley: You will always be the star of our hearts! Continue to believe in all that you are, and keep sharing the magic that is you with others. Love, Mom, Dad, and Allan Mia Barbercheck: What a wonderful actress you have become! We love your enthusiasm for your friends and life. Keep being the genuine, kind, caring person that makes us proud. Mom, Jay, Lars, Collins, and Carter Nolan Brown: I am proud of you and wish you the best of luck with your performance. Love, Mom Mireia Cecil: We are so proud of your dedication to developing as an actor. We so enjoy watching your performances and realize all of the hard work that you and the rest of the cast have put into this show!

Love, Mom and Dad Amelia Gorman: You are always who we most want to see!

Much love, Mom and Dad Jane McLeroy: We are so proud of you for bringing the pain to Maine! :) Love, Mom and Dad Alex Miguel: We are so proud of you and your castmates. Your determination and adaptability during the pandemic have really impressed us. Break a leg! Love, Mom and Dad Teagan Morrison: Never waiting for the other shoe to drop - just lighting up the stage 24/7! Love, Mama Jack Scantland: We are thrilled to see you on stage again and so proud with how you’ve handled the adversity of the pandemic. Break a leg!

Mom, Dad, Lucy Kate, and Zeus Jackson Sleadd: Proud of the man and actor you have become!

Love, Dad, Suzi, and Jude AJ and Mya Stevenson: AJ and Mya, We love you both and are proud of your hard work and dedication to theater! Break a leg! Love, Mom and Dad

You can still purchase a seat in the Goshen Theater!

If you would like to have your name or someone else’s (your child, an alum, a grandparent, a favorite teacher) - on a theater seat, gifts to the Campaign of $1,000+ will be commemorated by a named seat.

Pledges

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I want to pledge $1,000 - one (1) named theater seat I want to pledge $2,500 - one (1) named premium theater seat, front side I want to pledge $5,000 - one (1) named premium theater seat, front center I want to pledge $10,000 - two (2) named premium theater seats, front center I want to pledge $25,000 - four (4) named premium plus theater seats, front center Other:

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Email: ________________________________ Questions? Please contact Síofra Rucker, Associate Head of School -- Development & External Relations, at 502.795.3890. *Gifts to the Capital Campaign at $1,000+ may be spread over 3-5 years. Your named seats may be reserved for you for particular performances by special request.