Presented by the USM Department of Theatre, “Bus Stop,” tells the story of a cross-country bus that gets marooned at a Midwest diner, where longing for love is the desperation du jour.

“Inge’s story takes place in the 1950s; it’s a classic American dramatic comedy,” said Thomas Power, director of the show and USM professor of theatre. “Part of that classic appeal are the universal themes that are explored in the show: the meaning of love, generational differences in romance and the ageless pursuit of personal connection with another human being.

“Each character is striving to form a relationship of some kind — whether for romance and love or for simple companionship,” Power continued. “The show delves into the complexities of those relationships and into the social, political and religious views that influence them.”

The theater is in Russell Hall, 37 College Ave. Tickets are $15 general public/$11 seniors, USM employees and alumni/ $8 students. Get them at usm.maine.edu/theatre or call 207-780-5151.

Cast List (by name, role, major, and hometown):

Lake Bellavance (Carl) – Theatre major; Gardner

Martin Bodenheimer (Virgil Blessing) – Theatre major; Oxford, Miss.

Joshua Cohen (Will) – Marketing major; Scarborough

Dalton Kimball (Bo Decker) – Theatre major; Benton

Caleb Lacy (Dr. Gerald Lyman) – Theatre major; Durham

Caroline O’Connor (Elma Duckworth) – Women and Gender Studies major;

Wells

Alyssa Rojecki (Cherie) – Theatre major; Gorham

Elinor Strandskov (Grace Hayward) – Theatre major; Brunswick