SRT Presents CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES, Opening Tonight

Every community church and club has them - the wise-cracking, apron-wearing women working back in the kitchen to keep the flock fed and everything humming, whether it's 40 below for the Christmas dinner or the June bride can't be found. They're the Church Basement Ladies, the unsung heroes who step into the spotlight in Sierra Rep's delicious new musical comedy opening at the Fallon House Theatre tonight, April 19. Think "Prairie Home Companion" meets "The Carol Burnett Show" and "I Love Lucy," throw in lots of singing, dancing and good-natured fun, and you get the picture.

Inspired by the best-selling book "Growing Up Lutheran" by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, the show and its sequels have been delighting audiences across the country. SRT Guest Director Marc Liby, had a great experience directing the show for his former theater in Kansas and can't wait to bring it to SRT audiences.

"It's good family fun," Liby said. "Everyone has these people in their lives - the ones who know all the gossip, who rule without ruling and who give a town its foundation."

As the show's original Producer-Director, Curtis Wollen said it strikes a wonderful chord.

"People like to laugh at themselves, and there are so many women like this out there, who are under appreciated for all they've given," Wollen said.

In comedy and song, Church Basement Ladies celebrates the finely tuned kitchen team at the East Cornucopia Lutheran Church of the Prairie - Vivian, Mavis, Karin and Signe, four hearty Minnesotan Lutherans, with a strong work ethic, a quirky dialect and a way with butter. They're a familiar foursome who can handle anything their pastor asks - the matriarch who runs the show, her next-in-line waiting to take the reins, the youngster about to fly off on her own and the community historian who can rattle off everyone's lineage just as soon as her hot flash passes.

We follow them through several seasons - the record-breaking winter lutefisk feast, the funeral of a dear friend, an unconventional HawaiIan Easter Fundraiser and a joyful and much anticipated wedding. Each episode dishes up lots of comedy, as the ladies trade barbs, peel potatoes, avert kitchen disasters, and poke fun at each other and their friends the Catholics all while smoothly serving up hundreds of meals.

SRT favorite Becky Saunders plays farm wife Mrs. Gilmer (Mavis) Gilmerson, the local historian who can fix almost everything. As she tells her friends: "Farmer's wives, you know. We have to know how to fix plumbing, machines, people, animals, and, of course, the books."

"This is going to be such fun," Saunders said. "This show is full of love. These gals have got a lot of humor - they all have a twinkle in their eye."

Three SRT newcomers fill out the kitchen: Merced actress Nancy O'Bryan is Mrs. Elroy (Karin) Engelson, Halley Electra Mayo is her daughter, Signe, and Christopher Vettel is Pastor Gunderson. SRT favorite Caitlin Randall (Cinderella) returns to the Fallon stage to play the matriarch Mrs. Lars (Vivian) Snustad.

Liby said the chemistry should be great from start to finish.

"This is a show where there has to be a bond," he said. "Once they're on, they never leave the stage, and the audience will be able to see how much fun they're having."

Joining Liby as guest musical director and live accompanist is SRT favorite Dennis Brown, who has served as Director of Music for the St. Patrick's Parish. The show, he said, is sure to be a favorite with the many local "church basement ladies" he knows so well. The music adds a lot, with lively four-part harmonies and clever lyrics.

"It's total variety and all in good fun," Brown said.

Also on the production team are guest scenic designer Jay Heiserman, SRT property designer Mercy Sharpe, guest costume designer Paulette Gilbert (Hairspray, The Marvelous Wonderettes) and guest lighting designer Ron Madonia. The stage manager is SRT's Doug Brennan.

Church Basement Ladies opens tonight, April 19 and plays through Sunday, May 19 at the Fallon House Theatre. Most Thursday and Friday performances begin at 7 p.m., Saturday evening shows begin at 8 p.m., and Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. There is a Thursday 2 p.m. matinee on May 16, and a special "talk back" with performers following the evening performance on Thursday, May 2. General admission ranges from $26-$32 depending on the day of the performance, with senior, student and child rates available. The show is rated PG, (suitable for ages 12 and up).

For more information or reservations, call Sierra Rep's box office at (209) 532-3120 or visit Sierra Rep at www.sierrarep.org.