Almost, Maine, the Niles North Theatre Department’s latest upcoming production, is “a warming holiday gem,” according to junior Amy Hagedorn, the assistant director of the show.  The show, which premiered Thursday, Dec. 6, and continued on Friday and Saturday — usually to full houses — gave Viking viewers a series of short, sweet love stories.

Written by John Cariani, the play’s plot follows ordinary people living ordinary lives in the fictitious town of Almost, Maine.  As connections develop, the characters learn how to cope with and comprehend an array of emotions, much like those we experience off-stage throughout our lives.  In doing this, Cariani makes it clear that the town of Almost represents real people as opposed to the elaborate characters more commonly portrayed in the theatre.

“They have hopes and fears and they live life in a similar manner as people we connect with every day,” Hagedorn says.  “This play is but a microcosm of the many sides of love within our society.”

The cast of “Almost, Maine,” directed by Timothy Ortmann,  includes:

Prologue:  David Gilbert as Pete and Camille Paskind as Ginette.

Her Heart: Noah Zeidman as Man and Athanasia Giannetos as Woman.

Sad and Glad: Glenn Weissman as Jimmy, Nina Roy as Sandrine and Sarah Alkyer as Waitress.

This Hurts: Christopher Khoshaba as Steve and Robin Wallace as Mervalyn

Getting It Back: Ryan Loach as Lendall and Erin Rourke as Gayle

They Fell:  Sebastijan Torgus as Randy and Evan Sturt as Chad

Where It Went: Martin Wiviott as Phil and Emma Decker as Marci

Story of Hope: Alex Hammond as Man and Carissa Yau as Hope

Seeing the Thing: Justin Shannon as Dave and Danielle Kropveld as Rhonda