The 2026 Spring Play is Almost, Maine. Owatonna High School Theater will perform the show Apr. 30, May 1 & 2 at 7:00 p.m. and May 3, at 1:30 p.m. The play is one weekend only, buy your tickets now on GoFan. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
As a director of the play Mr. Erik Eitrheim has been working with the theater department since 2000. Much preparation is needed from Eitrheim as he chooses the play, orders the rights to the play and also meets with the technical director regarding costumes, makeup, lights and sound. Eitrheim shares that “Almost, Maine is one of the most popular plays produced in high schools today.”
There are nine different scenes, two actors per scene giving each actor their moment to shine. Almost, Maine has nine different love stories, both good and bad. “I get actors to take part in the show and then help them to bring those characters that they’re portraying to life.” stated Eitrheim.
The play takes place in a small town called Almost, Maine, which is where the title of the play comes from. He continues to say, “It’s so episodic there’s so many different scenes it’s kind of difficult to feel like we’re all in the same show.”
OHS senior Finn Vieths, who has been a part of many OHS Theater productions including Mamma Mia, She Kills Monsters, Les Misérables and now Almost, Maine said “It’s a series of love stories but not like all gaining love. Sometimes it’s love falling apart but sometimes it’s love blossoming and it’s all really cute.” Almost, Maine will have humor, heartbreak and a small-town feel.
All of the cast and crew have put in much time and effort. They are excited to show their talents and what they have learned to the audience.
“A very down to earth play that talks about everyday relationships and so I think everyone can learn a thing or two from the play while enjoying a slightly communicable play” shared by OHS senior Mercy Mwanga. Almost, Maine is his first play he will perform in. Mwanga is playing a character named Pete, he describes him as a shy nerd who is in a relationship and doesn’t know exactly how to express his feelings.
One thing that is different about this show compared to other shows is the seating arrangement. Eitrheim explains “We are trying to do something that’s a little more intimate, so we’ve put the audience on stage so instead of 829 seats we will have about 92 seats for each show.” Being up close to the play will make it more meaningful and touching for the audience.
Like any sports team, or extracurricular activity the OHS Theater is a close group of people who end up spending late nights of fun together to perfect the play. OHS sophomore Delaney Gomez has been a part of lots of theater productions as well as Little Theater of Owatonna productions however, Almost, Maine will be her first show at OHS. Gomez states “I have been enjoying meeting a bunch of the upperclassmen that I hadn’t really talked to at all in previous years but I’ve known who they are there such amazing people to be around, so funny and I have the time of my life at rehearsals”
Opening night is a scary and happy time for all of the characters, crew and behind the scenes students, but in the end it all comes together. Eitrheim shares “There comes a point when you get close to production through opening night when those characters start to come alive and the actor kind of disappears behind them, and it starts to be kind of magical.”
Vieths states “It’s very nice to go from just reading through your scripts to seeing all of us grow to make these characters real and these stories pop” Performances showcase all of the cast and crew’s hard work, time and effort they have put into the play. Mwanga said, “I’m excited to see everyone’s reaction to the play–how my parents react to it”
As the cast is performing, make sure to go watch and support the OHS Theater Apr. 30, through May. 3.
