Tori Ruckie Performs in UW-River Falls Play "Almost, Maine"

2012 Feb 15

Tori Ruckie of Cottage Grove, MN, has a role in the upcoming University Theatre performance of "Almost, Maine," a romantic comedy written by John Cariani. Performances are set for Feb. 23-25, 28, 29, and March 1-3 in the Syse Theatre in the Kleinpell Fine Arts building on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls campus. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

On a clear moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems. Nine stories of romance take place on a single night in the remote mythical town of Almost, Maine. Cariani gives us a glimpse of what the people are like in a small-town in northern New England. He draws from his experiences growing up in Presque Isle, Maine, where the people are known to be honest and true, not cynical, and smart. They wonder about things. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.

Directing the play is Kenneth Stofferahn, Professor of Theatre. Actors include Zach Svoboda (Pete/Phil) of Hastings, Minn., Heide Dudley (as Ginette) of Red Wing, Minn., Jordan Simm (as East/Dave) of Durand, Gina Froemming (as Glory) of North St. Paul, Minn., Taylor Evans (as Jimmy/Chad) of Buffalo, Minn., Jordyn Haley (as Sandrine) of Osceola, Claudia Vazquez-Velez (as Marvalyn) of Hudson, Alexander (A.J.) Swanson (as Steve) of Lake Elmo, Minn., Ami Christensen (as Gayle/Rhonda) of Eau Claire, Xander Toftness (as Lendall/Randy) of River Falls, Marianna (Marie) Sallman (as Marci) of Roseville, Minn., Tori Ruckle (as Hope/Waitress) of Cottage Grove, Minn., and Anton Yelk (as Man) of River Falls. Behind the scenes are Larry Bennett (lighting designer), Denise Baker (costume designer), Shane Donahue (stage manager), and Andy Hanlon (assistant stage manager).

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (60+) and $5 for UWRF students with ID and children (12 and under). Some age appropriate material is implied. The University Theatre Box Office, located in the Kleinpell Fine Arts building, will be open Monday through Friday beginning Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone during the daytime hours. Tickets for remaining seats can be purchased at the Box Office window starting at 6:30 p.m. on the nights of the performances.

For more information or to order tickets by phone, call the Box Office at 715-425-3114. Additional information and a mail-in order form can be found at http://www.uwrf.edu/CSTA/UniversityTheatre.cfm.