Saturday, March 7, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Lifestyles

Cold setting, warm story: ‘Almost’ brings a magical night to the stage

Guest Author
Name: Erin Daniel Age: 20 Character: Marci Similarities to character: "She is similar to a lot of women because she can see what her significant other is doing, but doesn’t understand and she doesn’t know how to fix it.” Differences between this and past performances: “I wear a lot more clothing in this production. In most other performances I was a minor character or pursuing other characters; in this show I have been married for at least 10 years.”
Name: Erin Daniel
Age: 20
Character: Marci
Similarities to character: “She is similar to a lot of women because she can see what her significant other is doing, but doesn’t understand and she doesn’t know how to fix it.”
Differences between this and past performances: “I wear a lot more clothing in this production. In most other performances I was a minor character or pursuing other characters; in this show I have been married for at least 10 years.”
Name: Evan Torkelsen Age: 21 Character: Lendall/Dave Favorite part of the play: "I like being able to play two different roles; emphasis on different. Also, I like being able to approach love in two different ways.” Describe your character: “Lendall is the guy I identify most with. He thinks ahead a lot so he can get the outcome he wants. He is not afraid to look weak to catch people off-guard. Dave is very shy. He has had a crush on his best friend forever.
Name: Evan Torkelsen
Age: 21
Character: Lendall/Dave
Favorite part of the play: “I like being able to play two different roles; emphasis on different. Also, I like being able to approach love in two different ways.”
Describe your character: “Lendall is the guy I identify most with. He thinks ahead a lot so he can get the outcome he wants. He is not afraid to look weak to catch people off-guard. Dave is very shy. He has had a crush on his best friend forever.

The upcoming Theatre production, Almost, Maine by John Cariani, promises a magical evening exploring the mysteries of the heart. The play is separated into 10 vignettes, which all take place in the small town of Almost, Maine, on the same starry night in the middle of winter.

“It’s almost like each person’s life depends on someone else in the show,” said Ashley Daniels, junior of Sheridan, Wyo. Daniels plays “Hope” in The Story of Hope.

The cast of Almost, Maine find themselves falling in and out of love throughout the evening in some hilarious and unexpected ways.

“The show is very lighthearted,” said Willis Miller, senior of Deer Trail, Colo. “It’s good because the last show of the year is always a challenge because most school breaks happen during it and therefore we have to elongate the rehearsal process, which can be aggravating.” Miller has two roles: “Steve” in This Hurts and “Phil” in Where it Went.

Name: Wacey Gallegos Age: 19 Character: Man Favorite part of the play: "The play world is very meaningful. It's a story of hope. It's just very hopeful.” Difficulties with the play: “The hardest part is acting like I don’t know what [my partner] is going to tell me. It is a lot of inner monologue and listening.” Atmosphere of the play: “This play is a magical night where anything can happen.”
Name: Wacey Gallegos
Age: 19
Character: Man
Favorite part of the play: “The play world is very meaningful. It’s a story of hope. It’s just very hopeful.”
Difficulties with the play: “The hardest part is acting like I don’t know what [my partner] is going to tell me. It is a lot of inner monologue and listening.”
Atmosphere of the play: “This play is a magical night where anything can happen.”

“Steve has the most to discover, which really makes each performance new and refreshing,” Miller says. “Where Phil is very jaded and knows a bit too much about the world. It’s a real pleasure and a challenge to portray them both in this show.”

Almost, Maine uses several elements of magical realism to explore what it means to be in love. The play

attempts to answer several questions about love. Can love be denied or forgotten? Does love fade away with time? Is love worth the risk? Is love something that happens to us or can it be created?

The show-times for Almost, Maine are 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.