“Almost, Maine” a charming gem at the Valley Rep

ENFIELD — In their 25th year, Valley Repertory Company presents a delightful, whimsical, and heart-warming production of “Almost, Maine” that’s a fine reminder of the chilly winter season ahead.
The play is comprised of vignettes of scenes that look into different couple’s lives on a cold, clear Friday night in Almost, Maine. It’s called Almost, because it is so remote from anywhere else in Maine no one has ever bothered to organize it into an official town.
The scenes range from a young couple experiencing first love, played by Aaron Gilberto and Amanda Marschall as Pete and Ginette, to a couple married with children, played by Mark Vogel and Dianna Rothenberg as Steve and Marvalyn trying to find the magic that brought them together in the first place — and a lot in between.
There’s also a perfectly strange and marvelous scene with Vogel and Josh Guenter as Randy and Chad who have a falling down reaction to their feelings for each other that is poignant and sweet.
The simple set, beautifully designed by Jeffrey Flood and painted by scene artisan Marty McNeill, is a field of northern pine and snow, with a beautiful band of stars above.
For each scene a different panel is moved to show a cabin, a door, a restaurant, or another scene. It works exceedingly well and fits the show like a warm winter glove.
Excellent work too by stage manager Amanda Bates and stage crew Logan Lopez to get everything in its proper place before each scene. I love the bluegrass music in between scenes that gently and subtly tie the whole show together, with fine direction by newcomer Becky Beth Benedict.
It’s quite a funny show, such as when Guenter as a sad character named Jimmy says that his parents have moved south to warmer weather — in Vermont.
It’s informative also, with trivia such as the fact that Maine is the only state in the union that is bordered by just one state.
“Almost, Maine” touches on the surreal and existential when Casey McDougal as Gayle demands all the love back that she gave her boyfriend Lendall, played by Guenter. In comes the huge red plastic garbage bags, filled to the brim with all that love. It really is making the invisible visible.
The characters could verge on hick caricatures, with discussions of snowmobiles and bowling, but they each retain their humanity and dignity as interesting and fully realized individuals.
I can’t imagine changing a thing in this delightful, sweet gem of a show.

ALMOST MAINE

Four Stars
Theater: Valley Repertory Company
Location: 100 High Street, Enfield
Production: Written by John Cariani. Directed by Becky Beth Benedict. Produced and costume design by Janine Flood. Stage manager Amanda Bates. Set Design by Jeffrey Flood. Lighting design by Jason Fregeau.
Running time: 2 hours including one intermission
Show Times: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through Nov. 20.
Tickets: $8 — $12. Call 860-749-4665 or visit their website at www.valleyrep.com
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Casey McDougal … Glory, Waitress, Gayle, Rhonda
Mark Vogel … East, Steve, Randy, Phil, Dave
Dianne Rothenberg … Sandrine, Marvalyn, Marci, Hope
Josh Guenter … Jimmy, Lendall, Chad, Man
Aaron Gilberto … Pete
Amanda Marschall … Ginette