By Bethany Narvaez/ nw news editor
Photos by Peter Matthews/The Collegian
NW Campus’ theater program is bringing the humorous and sometimes not so humorous ups and downs of falling in love to the stage with Almost, Maine, written by John Cariani.
“The play is like a series of love letters that show the different stages of love and how different people love,” NW student Tamiri Andrews said. “It shows the realistic parts of love.”
Andrews plays the characters of Glory, Rhonda and the waitress and was in NW’s production of Miss Nelson is Missing! this past March.
The play features relatable characters and realistic scenarios the audience can easily connect with, she said.
“This play is about people who need love. Sometimes they get it, and sometimes they don’t,” said NW theater adjunct instructor Griffin Hammel, the play’s director. “I hope all audience members see themselves on stage. I want people to really see people.”
Unlike most plays produced by NW’s theater program, Almost, Maine will take place in the round, meaning the audience will be seated on stage surrounding the actors.
“[The round] is different than proscenium because it allows us to be a little bit more natural,” said NW student Gareth Carpenter. “Instead of projecting everything in one direction, you can just sit and have an actual conversation with somebody.”
This will be Carpenter’s third production at TCC. He will play the character of Jimmy, who is coping with the hardship of finding out his ex-girlfriend is marrying someone new, and the role of Dave, who loves a girl who doesn’t find herself worthy of love.
The play is primarily made up of two-person scenes. Minimal set and costuming for this production allows the focus to be on the acting, Hammel said.
Andrews hopes the audience leaves the theater with new core values on relationships.
“Everybody goes through life and love differently,” she said. “If you have love, keep it close.”
The April 19-23 performances are free to all TCC students, faculty and staff. Tickets are $3 for non-TCC students and seniors and $6 for the general public.
Showtimes will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in Theatre Northwest (WTLO 1108).
Advanced reservations may be made by calling the Box Office at 817-515-7724, or tickets may be purchased on the day of the performance starting 30 minutes prior to curtain.
