AVPA Theater to open season with ‘Almost, Maine’

AVPA’s Blurred Vision Theatre Company will open its 2016-17 season with “Almost, Maine” at The Ivy Substation in downtown Culver City. Written by John Cariani, the romantic comedy is about a town “that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States  – it’s almost in Canada. And it almost doesn’t exist, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it’s just…Almost.”

On a wintry Friday night, under the glow of the Northern Lights, residents of Almost find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. The New York Times calls the play “beautifully structured” and “a whimsical approach to the joys and perils of romance. Magical happenings bloom beneath the snowdrifts.” The New York Post describes it as “Thornton Wilder crossed with the Twilight Zone.”

Directed by Jill Novick, with lighting design by Joey Guthman, scenic design by Jackie Eppinger, and Rebecca Mirvish as stage manager, AVPA’s production of Almost, Maine features a strong cast of talented high school theater students. They include: Izzy Parra, Isa Berliner, Hazel Cupp, Sarah Toutounchian, Erin Hamil, Mirabel Armstrong, Emma deZarn, Frances Horwitz, Carly Shiever, Owen Jones, Joey O’Neal, Henry Rehor, Owen Jones, Ben Hilsberg, Gabe Lobet, and Dillon Zehnder.

Almost, Maine opens on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Additional performances are slated for Nov. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission; $10 seniors, CCUSD faculty and staff, students of high-school age; and $5 for CCHS students with an ASB pass, children under high-school age. Tickets are available in advance at http://cchsavpa.eventbrite.com.

The Ivy Substation is located at 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City.

About AVPA

Now celebrating its 20th year, the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA) at Culver City High School has inspired and empowered students to build a compassionate, creative community through innovative and challenging arts education. AVPA enjoys tremendous support from organizations including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Center Theatre Group, Playa Vista, and West Los Angeles College, as well as the Culver City community. To learn more, visit ww.avpa.org.