Almost, Maine: Romantic comedy touched by magic runs through Sunday

All is not quite what it seems in the mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.

The stories, suitable for all audiences, take place at 9 p.m. in nine different places in the remote, northern village. The New York Daily News described the show as “sweet, poignant, and witty.” Audiences particularly enjoy the warmth and charm that the playwright, John Cariani, has woven into these tales. Each of these romantic comedies has an element of magic that surprises and delights all ages. See "Behind the Scenes for insights into the charcters. http://www.csc.edu/vpa/theatre/scene.csc

"Almost, Maine" premiered at the Portland Stage Company in 2004, opened off-Broadway in 2006, and has become one of the most-produced plays in the country.

Show dates are April 18 – 20 at 7:30 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. All shows take place in Memorial Hall Auditorium. For tickets call the CSC Box Office at (308) 432-6207 or e-mail boxoffice@csc.edu.

Roger Mays, CSC theater professor and director of the play, said, “One thing that is very exciting is that this will be the first time on the Chadron State College stage for some of our new freshman talent. Also, set designer Scott Cavin has designed a magical winter landscape that instantly transforms to the cabins, fields, boarding houses and bars in this mythical little town.”

The freshmen include Kristin Bowden, Nathan Wojciechowski, Anna Owen, Ryan Steinhour, Jamie Henry and Jada Fisk. Tami Rethman and Wacey Gallegos, also new to CSC this year, were both featured in the recent Black Box production.

“Another exciting facet for these talented freshman is they get to perform with some CSC veteran student actors,” said Mays. These include Willis Miller, featured as Orin the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors and back from his summer at the Post Playhouse, Ashley Daniels, featured as Snoopy in" You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown", Ashley Rushman, from "Bus Stop" and "Little Shop of Horrors", Evan Torkelsen, who appeared in "Bus Stop" and "An Adult Evening with Shel Silverstein", and also Erin Daniel, Laven Adair, and Staysha Adams who were all featured in "An Adult Evening with Shel Silverstein."

The playwright, Carioni, has appeared on both stage and screen as well as behind the writer’s desk. He played Motel, son-in-law of the lead, Tevye, in the 2004 Broadway revival of "Fiddler on the Roof," receiving a Tony nomination for the role, and winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Featured Actor in a Musical.

He has appeared on the television shows "Law and Order," "Homeland," "Pros and Cons," and "Onion News Network." His stage appearances include works with the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Old Globe Theatre in Shakespeare’s "The Tempest," "Much Ado About Nothing," and "Two Gentlemen of Verona." Although not a native of Maine, Carioni moved there at age eight and grew up in the town of Presque Isle where he drew the inspiration for his first major play.