The East Hall High School Theater will open the doors for its latest production, “Almost, Maine,” on Thursday, Jan. 21, and Friday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. and again on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Ann Brevard, a third-year theater teacher of East Hall High, commented on the upcoming show: “‘Almost, Maine’ is about several love stories. It’s all happening at the same time and at the same place.”
As she spoke about the different scenes, Brevard noted what was so special about this play. “It’s very realistic in terms of what people go through,” she said. “It’s the smallest cast we’ve had so far, and it’s intimate.”
The “maturity” in the show is far from what the originally planned production of “Charlotte's Web” would have contained.
“We had to change the show because people kept having class changes,” Brevard said. “The kids wanted to do something a little more mature and adult. They’re having to channel feelings of love, pain and inadequacy.”
An obvious step up from what the theater is used to presenting, “Almost, Maine” is a must-see, relating to “real life.”
“It’s about a small town and how love can have different forms,” said Jesse Smith, one of the actors of the production.
“It’s a lot more mature than what we’ve ever done,” said Casey Abernathy, another actor. “We’re used to doing kid shows and comedy shows. Then you have this one that’s more serious and about real-life problems and real-life love.”
Although the show is fast approaching, the time taken and all the preparation for such a show was no easy task.
“We’ve been working since about mid-October,” Brevard said as she bragged on her students. “It (the play) stretches them as actors and performers. It’s very raw, and they’re having to push themselves.”
On behalf of the theater, Brevard expressed gratitude to the East Hall administration and the community, as well.
“We’re blessed to have this school and community,” she said. “They want fine arts to be an integral part of everything.”
Come out and join the East Hall community for the premiere of “Almost, Maine” on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the East Hall Theater.