Welcome to Almost, Maine

A series of loosely connected tales about love with a touch of sorcery.

Written by John Cariani

Directed by Marshelle Giggles-Mills

Stage Management by Brittany Joy Sundman

Lighting Design by Tina Ballabio

Produced by Suzanne Ryan

About Almost, Maine

ALMOST, MAINE was developed by The Cape Cod Theatre Project.

Professional Premiere Production: Portland Stage Company, Anita Stewart, Artistic Director, Tami Ramaker, Managing Director.

Originally produced in New York by Jack Thomas/Bulldog Theatrical and Bruce Payne.

ALMOST, MAINE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)

Almost, Maine

Act One

Prologue

Pete & Ginette

Her Heart

East & Glory

Sad and Glad

Jimmy & Sandrine & Villian

This Hurts

Steve & Marvalyn

Getting It Back

Lendall & Gayle

Interlogue

Pete & Ginette

INTERMISSION

Act Two

Interlogue

Pete

They Fell

Randy & Chad

Where It Went

Phil & Marci

Story of Hope

Daniel & Hope

Seeing the Thing

Dave & Rhonda

Epilogue

Pete & Ginette

Introducing the Cast

Adrian Dittmar - Lendall

Adrian Dittmar is a German-born American actor who is looking forward to making his first appearance at the Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse. He came to the US to pursue an acting career and studied acting at LAPAC in Santa Monica. With appearances in plays like Fool for Love, Beirut, and Dinner with Friends, he is delighted to be part of another great play. Adrian has a degree in Business but can’t make use of it and is therefore attending a bartending school. In his free time Adrian plays sports like kickboxing and soccer and practices music.

Allison Sundman - Marvalyn

Allison Sundman is extremely proud to be selected for this performance of Almost, Maine. Allison lives in Chatsworth with her husband and two children. She works in Public Affairs at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center. She has performed in various capacities in community theatre, worship teams, and Pepperdine University's annual Songfest. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, running, and long conversations over coffee.

Aris Kakkis - Chad and Daniel

Aris is honored to return to the CSH Playhouse for the 5th time after previous roles in Urinetown, 12 Angry Jurors, Working The Musical, and Beyond Therapy. Though he has ignored repeated requests to seek some kind of musical theatre therapy - he draws much of his characterizations from the sage advice he has received throughout the years while waiting in line at Costco. He sends his love to all of his family and friends, both real and imagined, for letting him pursue his dream of performing and singing on stage. Special love to my CSH Playhouse family: Marshelle, Suzanne, Brittany, and Jessica. Last, but definitely not least: A big shout out to YOU for coming to see us tonight!

Bradley Sharper - Jimmy and Phil

Bradley Sharper is thrilled to rejoin the CSH Playhouse for this year’s production! Bradley, a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, is a singer/songwriter who performs with his band "Sharper's Florist" throughout Los Angeles. He is grateful to his friends and family for their support and would like to thank all those involved in the production of Almost, Maine.

Carlos Gomez Jr. - Steve and Randy

If you didn't know that Carlos has been a delivery boy and/or didn't like apples, then this is probably your first time seeing him at the CSHP which he's totally psyched about. Carlos is honored to be playing Steve and Randy in his third play with the company. He's also done many other shows outside this company including The Calorie Counters at Loft Ensemble, The Motherfucker with the Hat at ColorBox Productions, Macbeth at Pint and Players, etc. He'd like to thank all his cast and crew for making this such a lovely experience and gives a special thanks to Marshelle for giving him the opportunity to play once more on one of his favorite stages. If you'd like to see other works by Carlos, take a peep at his professional Instagram page @carlosagomezjr.

Danny Ibarra - Pete

Raised in Arizona and new to the Los Angeles scene, this is Danny's first stage appearance with the CSHP. Though he currently is a student at the Speiser/Sturges acting studio, his passion for acting dates back to his high school years where he appeared in the roles of Doctor Einstein (Arsenic and Old Lace) and Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid).

Jacob Sky Bruse - East and Dave

This is Jacob’s first time performing with the CSHP. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he has always wanted to be an actor. He is very excited to be working with Marshelle and the rest of his wonderful cast and crew! Represented by Jenny Stricklin Talent Agency.

Margaret Staedler - Glory and Hope

Margaret Staedler is an LA native and thrilled to be appearing in the CSHP’s production of Almost, Maine! Recently she was performing in The Group Rep’s production of LA Now and Then and designed the set to GRT’s The Desperate Hours. She graduated class of 2020 from Rider University in NJ with a B.A. in Acting. Some of her favorite credits include Rabbit Hole (Izzy), Hamlet (Guildenstern), Heathers: The Musical (H. Duke), and The 25th Annual…Spelling Bee (Logainne).

Maya Viloria - Ginette

Maya Viloria is an actress originally from Honolulu, HI. She moved to Los Angeles about a year ago to pursue a career in film and television; however she will always have a special place in her heart for live theatre. Maya has recently graduated from Seattle University with a degree in Marketing and a Film minor. She’s thrilled to be a part of the Almost, Maine family at the Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse!

Rose Donahue - Gayle and Rhonda

Rose Donahue has shared her talents on film sets, commercials, and the stage. She's known for the feature films "Khameleon" and "Immortal Wars: Resurgence". This is her first time performing with the Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse. You can find her on instagram at @rosedonahue_

Sarai Jimenez Ramos - Sandrine

Sarai is thrilled to be back working with CSHP again! She is so excited and grateful to be back on stage after the wild last few years we have had. Thank you to Marshelle, Suzanne and Brittany for welcoming her back with open arms, to the cast for being amazing, to her scene partner for all the fun, and to her parents for watching her 2-year-old boy during every late night rehearsal. I love you Mateo!

Tatyana Aravena - Villian and Marci

Tatyana Aravena is an actress from Brooklyn, New York and a proud alum of Northwestern University and the British Academy of Dramatic Arts. Favorite theatre credits include Dry Land, Big Love, A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Streetcar Named Desire, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Clothes for a Summer Hotel. She is the Artistic Director of Strange Bird Theatre Co. and a student of Stuart Rogers' Studios. Many thanks to Mom, Dad, Gabo, JK, Seb, Jane, Jen, Heather, and Michael Silver!

Production and Creative Team

Marshelle Giggles-Mills (Director, Enneagram 2/4) is thankful for another opportunity to create on the Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse stage. She is a founding member and the Artistic Director of the CSHP. Recent projects in the director's seat include Beyond Therapy, 12 Angry Jurors, Working, A Piece of My Heart and The Theory of Relativity. Marshelle is best known for her love of hugs, ladybugs, fuzzy socks, her allergies and her fear of squirrels and craigslist (shoutout to her 6th favorite Collica). Love and gratitude to Doug and her kiddos- Ruby, Bubba, and AJ- for their unyielding support. For more random thoughts and carefully organized chaos, you can stop by her Instagram @meshagiggles.

Tina Ballabio (Lighting Designer) is Portola Charter Middle School’s theatre teacher and the Technical Director for the after school musical theatre program. Although she’s super busy, Marshelle must’ve known that she never says no, and asked her to design lights for this show. She is so happy she took her up on that offer and hopes to work with CSH Playhouse again! Prior to teaching she earned a Masters Degree in Educational Theatre from NYU. She would like to thank her husband, Dan, her daughter, Shea, and her son, Finn for their support.

Brittany Sundman (Stage Manager) has been stage managing shows at the CSHP since 2017 and loving every second of it. Brittany also directed the first staged reading of Tabletop the Musical at the CSHP before it premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. She has been involved in theatre both onstage and backstage since she was 12. When she’s not herding cats at the theater, Brittany is usually herding her actual cats and dog at home.

Suzanne Ryan (Producer) is a founding member of the CSHPlayhouse, and so excited and grateful that we can bring live theater back to our beautiful valley. Her greatest joy is standing in the back of the theatre watching the magic happen, and she is so grateful to work with and learn from this amazing creative team. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for giving so much of yourselves to this little theatre. Thank you also to the cast - you are absolutely amazing. And thank YOU to our audience for supporting us over the years.

Thank you!

Thank you to the following people who consistently support the work we do here at the CSHPlayhouse!

Brittany Joy Sundman, our Stage Manager Extraordinaire

Kyle Sundman, for painting your heart out

Jessica Worland and Dr. Tall Person for making magic fall from the sky

Tina Ballabio, for taming our antique lights and designing a beautiful show

Doug Mills, Logistics Director and incredible support to Marshelle

H. W. ‘Pat’ Ryan, Technical Director (Emeritus)

Thank you always to Pastor Craig Peterson, Erika Hawkins, and the Leadership Team of the Woodland Hills Community Church.

Much appreciation to the Mills, Collica, and Ryan families (and all our cast member families!) for their support.

Special thanks to Tina Ballabio and Savannah Van Leuven for their expertise and persistence with our lighting system.

Thanks always to the CSHP Board of Directors (Suzanne Ryan, Larry Collica, Marshelle Giggles-Mills, and LeVanna Atkinson-Williams).

The Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse (CSHP)
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