In the laundry room of Ma Dudley’s Boarding House, Marvalyn, played by Dorothy Frace, meets Steve, played by Dylan Disch.

The Ten Fifteen Theater will close out its performance season with six December shows of “Almost, Maine,” by John Cariani, opening at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

In the production, three local directors — Karen Bain, Susi Brown and William Ham — lead a cast of eight actors through nine absurdist vignettes that all take place on one cold midwinter night.

The theater describes the mythical town of Almost, Maine, as “a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada.”

On a cold, clear night, beneath the northern lights, its residents become intertwined by love, loss and hilarity.

First premiered in 2004 at the Portland Stage Co. in Portland, Maine, the play has become a popular production across the United States and has been translated into more than a dozen languages.

At the Ten Fifteen Theater, actor Dylan Disch plays Steve, a young man impervious to pain and unsure of what to be afraid of. Disch is excited to participate in the production, which will be his first with the Astoria troupe.

‘Almost, Maine’

‘Almost, Maine’

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Ten Fifteen Theater, 1015 Commercial St., Astoria

Additional showings at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Dec. 15 and Dec. 16

Tickets are $20

www.thetenfifteen

theater.com

“‘Almost, Maine’ can feel very similar to the popular film ‘Love Actually,’” Disch said. “It’s an ensemble production that conveys many hilarious and sometimes complex aspects of love. As a newbie to Astoria and their beautiful Ten Fifteen Theater, I feel so lucky to be one among the talented cast.”

Actor Dorothy Frace, who plays the character Marvalyn, is also new to performing at the theater, though she’s been involved with acting since participating in Missoula Children’s Theater while in kindergarten.

“This script is so funny and relatable,” Frace said. “We laughed hysterically during our first read-throughs together. Our entire cast and crew are fantastic to work with, and I’ve learned so much from them, especially the directors. I’m in awe of the other actors in this show, they are truly talented.”

Rounding out the cast are a mix of familiar names and newer actors, including Kendall Padgett-McEuen, Cherry Kocemba, Marcus Liotta, Jolene Magee and Connor Swan.

The Ten Fifteen Theater is a nonprofit theater dedicated to enriching the arts in Astoria through theatre, creative education and community events.

The venue’s 2024 season begins in February with “Shooting Star,” which centers on two former college lovers snowed in overnight at an airport. Having set off on different paths, the two revisit a past filled with surprises. Auditions for that play will be held on Sunday and Monday.

Take part in Ten Fifteen Theater’s next show

Take part in Ten Fifteen Theater’s next show

Take part in Ten Fifteen Theater’s next show

Auditions for “Shooting Star,” the first show of Ten Fifteen Theater’s 2024 season, will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Danyelle Tinker, executive director of the Ten Fifteen Theater, is looking for two actors between the ages of 40 and 60, one male and one female presenting.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Actors are also asked to bring a list of conflicts through Feb. 17, 2024.

Headshots and resumes are optional but welcome. “Shooting Star” will run three weekends beginning Feb. 2, 2024. For more details on the show, visit the theater’s website.