CATCO smartens up your V-Day

New production, "Almost, Maine," brings the funny and the Freudian

By Dwayne Steward

Metromix

As Hollywood gears up to flood theaters for Valentine's Day weekend with such mindless offerings as "Confessions of a Shopaholic," the Contemporary American Theatre Company is taking a more cerebral approach with Jim Cariani's critically lauded play "Almost, Maine," which pairs the metaphysical with that little thing called love.

A fictitious non-town (because it "never really got organized enough to complete the task") Almost, Maine, is a seemingly normal suburb. But as the story progresses, we discover in this town a man who can't feel pain, witness a shoe falling from the sky and learn that "love" is tangibly carted around in bright red Santa sacks.

Confused? Don't be. Cariani's literal dissection of romance is actually pretty brilliant and often hilarious. "Almost," showing through Feb. 22 in Studio Two of the Vern Riffe Center, presents nine one-act comedies depicting love at every stage of the game.

Four actors, all with outstanding comedic timing, bring the 19 residents of Almost, Maine, to life.

Christina Ritter is a definite standout, most notably during her portrayal of a woman who literally carries her broken heart — results of a dead husband who cheated on her — around with her in a tattered bag.

Kevin McClatchy shines as Steve, a man who can't feel pain. He brings a childish charm and intriguing ignorance as Marvalyn (Michelle G. Schroeder) beats on and later kisses him to prove him wrong.

Malcolm Callan had the hardest job of playing several different characters. From a broken-hearted schmuck who randomly runs into his ex at her bachelorette party to a macho construction worker who falls in love with his best friend.

Schroeder closes out the show with her best performance as Rhonda, a virgin tomboy who completely misses the obvious signals from love interest Dave (McClatchy). The scene ends hysterically as the two strip down (through multiple layers of clothing ... after all, this is Maine in winter) for the deed.

Schroeder and McClatchy also become the night's winning pair during "Where It Went," starring as a couple whose marriage is on the verge of breakdown. Each brings an emotional rendering that lifts the scene out of a normal cliché and ends with brutal, but realistic unhope.

The set and lighting designers, Rob Johnson and Matthew Benjamin, respectively, make the show visually appealing, creating a beautiful starry night, shooting stars, the Northern Lights and falling snow.

"Almost, Maine" takes the literary devices of magic realism and creates an endearing world where love is exactly what it seems, making the choice for something a little more insightful for Valentine's Day much easier this year.