It was almost happening earlier — last fall, in fact.
But the COVID-19 pandemic dropped the curtain. Then an electrical fire further zapped plans.
But now the Columbus North High School drama department’s presentation of “Almost Maine” is unfolding. It opened Thursday, and plays again at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, plus on Thursday, then also April 9 and 10 at the school’s Judson Erne Auditorium, 1400 25th St.
“We persevered,” said director John Johnson. “No one knew when we would be able to tell the story of ‘Almost, Maine,’ but we were committed to tell it.”
The production is about a small town in the furthest reaches of northern Maine — a place where some of the citizens are eager to make a connection with another person, which should resonate especially now with audiences. Johnson has called it “nine different plays under the same umbrella.”
This will be the drama troupe’s first performance since last January’s Showcase 2020, since spring musical last year, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” was canceled two weeks before we could perform due to the nationwide shutdown.
“We’ve worn masks in rehearsal,” Johnson said. “We’ve had to postpone rehearsals due to actors being quarantined because of contact tracing. But we don’t mind because we love to create theater. And make no mistake — that’s exactly what we will be doing for the next two weeks.
“We won’t compromise on the basic tenant of theater: artist and audience creating shared moments together in the same room. Each time, it’s an experience that can never be repeated, because each time artist and audience join together to create theater, the variables are vastly different.”
COVID protocols will be in effect, including a socially-distanced audience with mandated masks. Audience size will be limited to fewer than 200 attendees.
The show has seen other COVID-related changes, including casting two complete sets of actors totaling 38 people. They form two different casts that will perform alternating performances over the two weekends.
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What: Columbus North High School’s presentation of "Almost Maine."
When: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and also 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9 and 10.
Where: North’s Judson Erne Auditorium at 1400 25th St.
Cast student leaders: Sarah Adams, Lily Bringle, Erica Corbeels, Emma Fillenworth, Anna Jackson, Katie Long, Ruth Anne Mayer. Emma Patrick, Andrea Perez, Charlize Rawlins, and Ross Wenzler.
Tickets: Limited to 200 people per show, and tickets must be purchased in advance. There will be no sales at the door. Reserve at https://northdrama.seatyourself.biz
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