The Linfield College Theatre Program continues its 96th season with a romantic comedy, “Almost, Maine,” March 15-18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Marshall Theatre in Ford Hall.
The production is set in the mythical town of Almost, Maine, and follows nine vignettes about love. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. The bruises heal, the hearts mend – almost – in this midwinter night’s dream.
Thomas Gressler, Linfield professor emeritus, will guest direct the play, with stage management by Alyssa Lawrence, scenic and lighting design by Ty Marshall, sound design by Rob Vaughn ’97 and costume design by Laurel Peterson ‘07.
Gressler performed professionally throughout the mid-Atlantic region for 10 years, including appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and Chance of a Lifetime. After working in television advertising for two years, he became the entertainment director for the Special Services Entertainment Division in Korea, which included producing the Bob Hope TV special. After receiving his Ph.D. from Kent State University, he was director of theatre at the University of Oregon and then at Linfield, where he taught from 1980 to 2000. He has directed more than 200 plays, musicals and operas, and has published three books and numerous articles.
“‘Almost, Maine,’ a cross between Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ and ‘The Twilight Zone,’ is a wonderful choice for this year’s theatre season,” Gessler said. “It’s a light-hearted show and gives me the opportunity to work intensely, one-on-one, with each acting student. Even though the reviewers often describe the play in phrases such as ‘Love in the Time of Frostbite,’ or ‘Romantic Whimsy meets Magic Realism,’ I find the hilarious, quirky comedy underpinned by real human suffering and confusion. This makes for a wonderful acting challenge for the students, some of whom are new to the stage.”
Cast members include senior studio art major Heidie Ambrose from Silverton; senior psychology major Emily Griffin from Angwin, Calif.; senior theatre major Travis McKenna from Elko, Nev.; junior theatre major Naomi Boydston from Friday Harbor, Wash.; junior theatre major Joella Cordell from Caldwell, Idaho; sophomore physics major Geoffrey Rath from Oakes, N.D.; sophomore political science major Ben Bartu from Berkeley, Calif.; freshman creative writing major Nicole Mitchell from Bellingham, Wash.; freshman math major Anna Penttila from Vancouver, Wash.; freshman creative writing and theatre double major Glenn Rust from Eugene; freshman nursing major Madison Ryder from Gresham; and freshman psychology major Alex Satterlee from Hillsboro.
Tickets are $9 for full price; $7 for seniors (62+) and Linfield faculty and staff (two tickets per ID); and $5 for students (any age, any school, one ticket per ID); with a $2 discount on all tickets on opening night. Seating is reserved. Tickets are available at linfield.edu/arts and at the Marshall Theatre Box Office. Located in the lobby of Ford Hall, the box office is open Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., and until 7:30 p.m. on performance days.
For more information, call 503-883-2292. The Marshall Theatre is fully accessible.
