Almost, Maine
at Pacifica High School

Reviewed on March 28, 2014

Erin Bola
Fountain Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Pacifica's "Almost, Maine" thaws even the coldest hearts
for the OC Register
by Erin Bola

Erin Bola is a junior at Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley

It is a frigid Friday night in desolate Northern Maine, and the northern lights are shimmering in the frosty night sky. This winter wonderland is the site of the unincorporated township of Almost, where eighteen average people are finding, losing, and learning the real definition of one of the most surreal concepts in our world - love. Pacifica's charming production of "Almost, Maine" brings this magical place to life with sincerity and gaiety, and with certainly admirable results.

In the laundry room of a boarding house, the lives of two strangers unexpectedly intertwine when the frazzled Marvalyn (Caitie Rear) accidentally smashes an ironing board into the head of a boy unable to feel physical pain, Steve (Joseph Ayers). Ayers demonstrates a thorough understanding of his character, complete with impeccable comedic timing and an innocent, calm aura that nicely contrasts Rear's mature and worried mannerisms. From debating the real meaning of pain to discussing how love is supposed to make someone feel, Ayers and Rear seamlessly portray two very authentic and believable characters that truly are a highlight of the show.

Another memorable duo consists of the tomboyish Rhonda (Allegra Chel) and her much more sensitive best friend, Dave (Dakota Hill). Chel and Hill playfully banter with one another with such ease usually found in strong friendships, but the sharp contrast between their respective characters' personalities helps to create believability in such a surreal setting.

Many actors in the show are responsible for performing multiple characters, and they are able to differentiate between each one by creating unique traits and attitudes. Performers such as Pierre Ekladios and Phoebe Pyne smoothly transition from scene to scene, maintaining a praiseworthy level of confidence in all of their performances while appearing quite comfortable onstage.

Dakota Hill's lighting designs include a dazzling representation of the mystifying northern lights, which are artfully recreated with green and blue lights that shoot out into the audience. Costumes by Sabrina Thompson also help to accurately portray characters stuck in northern Maine in the dead of winter with plenty of thick coats and snow boots.

Pacifica's production of "Almost, Maine" is an alluring and enchanting tale of ordinary people falling in love under remarkable circumstances, brought to life with relatable characters whose stories of love will bring smiles to the faces of even the most cynical viewers.

Siena Brown
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

The "Maine" Attraction at Pacifica
for the OC Register
by Siena Brown

Siena Brown is a sophomore at SOCSA Dana Hills High School in

In a little state that's not quite in Canada, in a little town that's not quite a town, nine couples feel the sparks of romance; well, not quite. Welcome to the world of "Almost, Maine", Pacifica High School's new production that touches on the most comedic and romantic aspects of love, and every kiss in-between.

With its many surreal and very literal representations of love, it's no surprise that the crew of "Almost, Maine" decided to add an otherworldly aspect to the show. The lighting, designed by Dakota Hill and executed by Brett Beard and Peyton Hill, drenches the stage in a cool blue, and prepares audiences for a wintery, magical show. The Northern Lights play an important role in the show, and are manifested by piercing green lights above the stage that enchant both the characters and audience members. Most beguiling of all are the passionate red flashes that fill the stage whenever a couple falls in love, adding a visual aspect to the emotion.

Presented as a series of vignettes, the story focuses more on character development than on plot, leading to a cast of wildly different and thoroughly unique personalities. One stand out character is Steve, portrayed by Joseph Ayers, a young man who lives with underdeveloped pain sensors and who is therefore incapable of being hurt. Ayers gives his character a wide-eyed, childlike innocence, contrasted completely by the lengthy medical terms that topple from his lips with a self-assured nod. His scene partner-in-crime, Caitie Rear (Marvalyn), juxtaposes her character by showing a sense of levelheaded maturity. With a tender hand on Ayers shoulder, Rear gently but firmly tries to explain that even people who can't feel hurt can feel love. Although she has many heartfelt and calm moments, she is able to swiftly and realistically vary her character traits from laid-back to fiery tempered, adding nice moments of tension that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Another stand out actor was Pierre Ekladios (Lendall). He displays his character's composed nature with a soft tone and gentle movements. He is able to truthfully break his calm as he tries to convince his girlfriend to stay with him, face twisted in grief and voice cracking slightly with the force of his emotions.

"Almost, Maine" seamlessly throws honest characters into abstract situations, resulting in a show that's truly lovable.

Gillian Lelchuk
Los Alamitos High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Pacifica Reaches The Northern Lights With Almost, Maine
for OC Cappies FB
by Gillain Lelchuk

Gillian Lelchuk is a senior at Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos

A unique show in which the setting is the main character as well as a plot device, Almost, Maine is told in nine individual stories about love and loss. Pacifica High School brings the show's unique surreal elements and hyperreal characters to life.

Written by John Cariani, Almost, Maine takes snapshots of the happenings at nine o'clock on a Friday evening. With nine different vignettes come nine different stories of love, loss, pain, and friendship.

Student director Dakota Hill connects the surreal elements of the play to The Twilight Zone. He uses fog, a ticking clock, and the familiar music of the classic television show to highlight the fusion of a dream-like town with the real people that live within.

In a scene at the beginning, Glory (Allegra Chel) is a young woman looking to see the northern lights. She camps outside the house of a man, East (Hill), who quickly falls in love with her. Chel's quick-talking conveys her character's eagerness and is still easily understood, and Hill's reaching for Chel's arm demonstrates his newfound affection for Glory. At the end of the scene, Glory finally sees the lights she was looking for, created by smoke illuminated by green lights near the ceiling, designed by Hill.

The surreal elements of the play are highlighted in a scene with Lendall (Pierre Ekladios) and Gayle (Marisa Shlichtman). Shlichtman asks Ekladios for the love she gave him, her face contorting and twisting with the anguish of a woman scorned. She returns the love Ekladios gave her, carried in several red bags, serving as tangible representations of love.

Another scene features Steve (Joseph Ayers), a young man who can't feel pain, and Marvalyn (Caitie Rear), a woman with a possibly abusive boyfriend. The two meet in their apartment building after a mishap with an ironing board reveals Steve's unique condition. Ayers speaks quickly and confidently, almost childlike, to embody the man who must keep a list of what to be afraid of. Rear reveals both her concern and her unhappiness through her tone of voice, switching from motherly to apologetic to embarrassed with ease.

Although some of the literal elements of the play elicit too many laughs and skip over tender moments, these sweet stories still tug at the heartstrings. Pacifica's talented cast creates real characters with real problems, real love, and real loss.