Courtesy of @wigandcandle on Instagram
Wig and Candle, Conn’s student-run theater club, performed John Cariani’s Almost, Maine on April 13th and 14th at the Loomis Theater on Gallows Lane.
Under the direction of Giuseppe Piccirilli ‘25 and Allie Ziegler ‘27, Wig and Candle brought the entertaining and heartwarming show to life. The play, set in the fictional town of Almost, Maine, a place too ‘disorganized’ to be on a map, was a collection of eight scenes, each following a different set of characters and their unique love stories. The show’s heart was the concept of “Magical Moments,” a moment towards the end of each scene where, as described by Piccirilli, “two people make a connection that alters the course of their lives forever.”
These Magical Moments captivated the audience, earning nods of empathy from the crowd. Each time a character made these strong connections, vibrant pastel lights representing the northern lights appeared on the sides of the black box theater, and the sound of twinkling was heard: the work of sound designer Aparajita Tyagi ‘27 and lighting designer Jay Sexton ‘27.
Charlotte Steinhaur ‘27, Ali Rubin ‘25, Maddy Fisher ‘26, Rhea Mallery ‘27, and Ava Mary Aloia ‘26 shined as the cast of Almost, Maine. Steinhaur’s facial expressions and Alodia’s portrayal of the character Lendall left the audience laughing. Each actor skillfully played three to four different characters, impressing the audience each time they reappeared on stage.
Wig and Candle put their own spin on Almost, Maine, adding unique features that brought new life to the show. The production featured Noah Kahan’s music, highlighting the northern setting and adding humor to many scenes. When asked about how this decision came to be, Piccirilli described that “there was a moment in rehearsal where we played it in the interlogue just for fun, and Charlotte did this thing where she looked out in the audience and had a look on her face that was priceless- and we decided we’re keeping it.”
The show presented a new opportunity for many involved, especially for assistant director Ziegler, who had never directed before. After spending last semester primarily acting, Ziegler was chosen by Wig and Candle’s executive board and managing director Cecilia Bianchi ‘24, to assist with directing the show. Ziegler said the experience “has been really fun- I’ve learned a lot.”
The future for Wig and Candle is as bright as the northern lights in Almost, Maine. Their year-end gala, “The Wiggies,” is on May 4th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Cro’s Nest. To sign up for the event or participate in future Wig and Candle productions, visit wigandcandle.com or @wigandcandle on Instagram.
