The Forman Ensemble Players brought the fall play Almost, Maine to life on November 14th and 15th in the Jake Cloobeck ’16 Theater in the Visual and Performing Arts Center. 

A 90-minute enchanting midwinter night’s dream, Almost, Maine by John Cariani is a theatrical quilt of nine vignettes in which 20 residents in the fictional town of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways.

The performance was dedicated to Head of School Amy Clemons in celebration of this year’s school theme: Nurture the Future. “Through individual and collective endeavors, we strive to nurture Forman’s present—and future—with joy, respect, kindness, and teamwork!” said Director Lily Chen, Chair of the Thinking and Writing Department. 

Below is the list of the cast in order of appearance: 

• Her Heart: Glory - Gianna Lovallo ’25, East - Liam Bender ’27

• Closer: Ginette - Alina Yosua ’28, Pete - Evan Johnson ’25

• Sad snd Glad: Jimmy - Julian Graziano ’25, Sandrine - Cecily Cooper ’26, Villian - Lilyanna Ruis ’27

• They Fell: Deena - Ava Gillies ’27, Shelly - Fenan Sloan Arondeau ’26 

• Getting It Back: Gayle - Gianna Lovallo ’25, Lendall - Julian Graziano ’25

• This Hurts: Marvalyn - Ava Gillies ’27, Steve - Evan Johnson ’25

• Story Of Hope: Hope - Fenan Sloan Arondeau ’26, Daniel - Liam Bender  ’27, Suzette (Off-Stage Voice) - Lilyanna Ruis ’27 

• Where It Went: Phil - Evan Johnson ’25, Marci - Cecily Cooper ’26

• Seeing The Thing: Rhonda - Alina Yosua ’28, Dave - Julian Graziano ’25             

Arts Teacher Tammy Grella was the Technical Director, Nolan Briggs ’26 was the Stage Manager, Stella Groski ’26 was the Sound and Mic Board Operator, Lilyanna Ruis ’27 was on the Stage and Costume Crew, and Liam Bender ’27, Rudy Kelly ’25, Jack Mayhew ’25, Nate O’Connell ’26, and Aliyah Simkins ’27 assisted with the set construction. 

The program’s cover featured a photo of the Northern Lights over campus taken by Ben Cavenagh ’25. 

“Congratulations to the talented cast and crew of Almost, Maine for a wonderful performance!” said Director of Counseling Charlene Halloran. “The acting, the set, and the entire experience made for a special evening. Thank you!” 

Forman’s winter musical, Beetlejuice JR., will be presented on February 16th-18th, 2025.