Palatine High School to present 'Almost, Maine'

Palatine High School Theatre will present John Cariani's "Almost, Maine" at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 5-7, in the Altergott Auditorium, 1111 N. Rohlwing Road, Palatine.

"Almost, Maine" is a series of vignettes centered around love and the many forms it take - love that's found, love that's lost, and love that's rekindled - in the town of Almost, Maine.

Almost is a whimsical community in northern Maine, where the winters are as cold and bleak as the people are warm and vibrant. Every scene takes place at the exact same time as the Northern lights begin to illuminate the surrounding Maine skies.

With magic and wonder in the air, the people of Almost discover who they are through relationships with others.

Jessica Means and Doug Gross have directed the PHS productions together for 12 years.

"Doug and I were drawn to the show because of its literary beauty," Means said in a news release. "The vignettes each have their own magical element, propelled by the enchantment of the aurora borealis. As you experience the vignettes, pay close attention and see if you can 'see the thing' that deeply changes each couple."

The show provides an honest look at love from the perspectives of real people, whose stories all intertwine with each other as the clock strikes nine on a cold, winter night.

The cast includes Saydees Garcia, Trevor Van Wolvelear, Gabe Minchev, Caitlin Preuss, Bob Di Leo, Savannah Kust, Faith Koenig, Emmi Antonik, Justin Davis, Dane Roberts, Molly Mensch, Mary Clare Hake, Keely McEnery, Sarah Nagel, John Delaney, Brontë Phipps, and Aaron Kleinschmidt.

Student directors include Grace Mathew, Danny Hollander and Elliot Willming.

Tickets cost $7 for students and $10 for adults, and can be preordered or purchased at the door.

For more ticket information, call Palatine High School at (847) 755-1600 or email jmeans@d211.org.