Almost, Maine is currently running at the SALT Block Auditorium in Hickory, NC, through Jan. 17 at 8 PM.

Local attorney, actor and director Bill Morgan and student director Conner Baker direct a cast that includes Nathaniel Shoun, Jonathan Bates, Ruby Osorio, Blake Richardson, Lilli France, Conner Baker, Winston Lee, Carlee Lemmond, Ci-Ci Pinson and Daniel White.

"We didn't want the story to be, 'School Cancels Play Because of Gay Scene'... we thought the better story is, 'Massive Community and National Support Help Students Put On Canceled Play,'" Eckard said in a statement.

Read Cariani's response to the cancellation here.

As previously reported, a Kickstarter campaign was held to fund the production following its cancellation. The Kickstarter page states that $6,605 was raised. The original goal was $1,000.

The students are collaborating with OutRight Youth Catawba and the United Arts Council of Catawba County, where all extra Kickstarter funds will be donated.

The 2004 play, written by actor-playwright Cariani and depicting a mythical town in northern Maine, was the most-produced play in American high schools in 2010.

Visit almostmaiden.com for more information.