Wayside Theatre's CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES Begins 6/1

Wayside Theatre's Artistic Director Warner Crocker has announced the cast and schedule for the first production of Wayside Theatre's 52nd Season, Church Basement Ladies. This musical is inspired by the books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, including the best seller Growing Up Lutheran, and is written by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke, with Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen.

If you thought the ladies of Steel Magnolias were tough, wait until you meet the Church Basement Ladies! It's a combo of laughter and heart-tugging moments in this musical comedy about the ladies who make the meals and make this Lutheran Church run from below the house of God.

The performances for Church Basement Ladies will begin on Saturday, June 1, with low-priced preview performances at 2:30PM and 7:30PM. The official opening night is Sunday, June 2 at 6:30PM. Performances will continue until June 30, 2013. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances are at 7:30PM; Saturday matinees are at 2:30PM; Sunday performances are at 2:30PM. Check the calendar on the Wayside Theatre website for more information on the schedule. Ticket prices are $25-$30 for adults and $10 for children 17 and under. There are also discounts available for seniors, students, and groups.

The cast features some Wayside Theatre veterans and newcomers. Thomasin Savaiano (Smoke on the Mountain series, Southern Crossroads series, 25th Annual...Spelling Bee, Wait Until Dark) will play the role of Mrs. Karin Engleson; Leslie Putnam (25th Annual...Spelling Bee, Glory Bea, Hank Williams: Lost Highway) will play the role of Signe Engleson. Jill Stapleton Bergeron will play the role of Mrs. Vivian Snustad; Barbi McGuire will play the role of Mrs. Mavis Gilmerson; Michael Parker will play the role of Pastor E.L. Gunderson.

Church Basement Ladies is created by the following production staff members: Director Warner Crocker, Musical Director Steve Przybylski, Set Designer Wes Calkin, Costume Designer Maria Smith, Lighting Designer Ashley Promisel, Production Stage Manager Kyle Schuller, Technical Director Will Gautney.

According to Artistic Director Warner Crocker, "Church Basement Ladies is going to be a phenomenal show. We encourage all of our patrons who have enjoyed shows like Steel Magnolias or Smoke on the Mountain to see this heartwarming musical about love, faith, and the collective power of some very strong women."

Single tickets and group packages for Church Basement Ladies, as well as subscription packages for Season 52, can be obtained by calling the box office at (540) 869-1776. Additional information can be obtained on the theatre's website at www.waysidetheatre.org. Wayside Theatre is located in Middletown, Virginia on Route 11, Main Street, just north of the intersection of I-66 and I-81.