Crafton Hills College’s theatre program to stage ‘Almost, Maine’
Publish Date: Nov. 12, 2025
This December, Crafton Hills College is inviting you to tour the fictional town of Almost, Maine without having to leave the city.
The Yucaipa-based college’s Theatre Arts Department will present performances of John Cariani’s 2004 production of “Almost, Maine,” which is composed of nine short plays on love, loss and life in a small, fictional remote northeastern town.
Performances of the romantic comedy will be staged in the college’s new Finkelstein Performing Arts Center starting Thursday, Dec. 4, and coincide with the Crafton Hills Arts Festival, a two-day housewarming celebration for the PAC starting at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, and continuing Saturday, Dec. 6.
The production’s director, Anna McNaughton, said “Almost, Maine” was selected following a series of collaborative storytelling workshops where Roadrunners “expressed a strong interest in working on the theme of love and relationships.” She called Cariani’s work “a great fit for the group’s interest and size.”
“There is a sense of magic in the moments captured by the play,” she continued. “And I thought we could all use a little magic right now -- a little magic of connection, a little magic of creativity.”
“Almost, Maine” made its debut in 2002 at the Cape Cod Theatre Project and later had its world premiere at the Portland Stage Company before opening off Broadway three years later. Since then, the production has graced the stage across the country and has created long-lasting connections between the characters, the audience and now, performers at Crafton.
“Theater is truly magical and can connect us, inspire us, and reminds us we can create something truly special together,” said Ari Aguilera, a 28-year-old communications and theatre arts major from Running Springs, who plays “Rhonda” in the production. “We can’t wait to share that magic with our community.”
Fellow actor Roman Cueto, who plays Pete and Steven in the production, agreed.
“It’s been fun working with the other actors of various ages and various skills level,” said the 20-year-old Highland resident. “It’s nice to be part of a team that is more than just that—it feels like a family.”
Showtimes for “Almost, Maine” are at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6 in the PAC on the Crafton Hills campus at 11711 Sand Canyon Road, Yucaipa. Admission is free but donations are welcome via the college’s website at craftonhills.edu.
Crafton Hills Arts Festival
Almost, Maine Showtimes
