Photo Flash: Sierra Rep Honors Women of Mother Lode at CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES Opening Night

Inspired by its latest musical comedy, Sierra Repertory Theatre honored the women of the Mother Lode with free tickets to opening night of Church Basement Ladies. Each participating church nominated one woman to receive two free tickets to the show, which plays at the Fallon House Theatre in Columbia through May 19. Scroll down for photos of the attendees!

"I thoroughly enjoyed the play," Calvary Chapel Sonora nominee Debbie White said. "It brought back many funny memories. Thank you so much for inviting me, and I will highly recommend this production!"

The evening brought friends and relatives together as small groups gathered to celebrate nominees like Anita Sturgil of Sonora Church of Christ.

"Thank you for the fun evening," Sturgil said. "You brought all my real sisters (and in-laws) plus my church sisters together for the evening. Thanks for a great time and a great show!"

Other nominees described the show as "a treat," "refreshing, fun and entertaining," with "wonderful lyrics and tunes" and "excellent acting and singing." The musical follows four wise-cracking, apron-wearing Church Basement Ladies as they work in the kitchen to feed the flock. Think "Prairie Home Companion" meets "The Carol Burnett Show" and "I Love Lucy," with a bit of heart-warming drama thrown into the mix.

Sierra Rep Managing Director Sara Jones honored the church nominees opening night with a brief welcome before the show started. Nominees came from several churches throughout Tuolumne and Calaveras counties and are listed below.

Anita Sturgil - Sonora Church of Christ

Audrey Wright - Soulsbyville United Methodist Church

Carla Smith - Foothills Community Church Angels Camp

Carol Edwards - Oak Hill Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Celene McDonald - Word of Life Fellowship Church

Chrissy McClure - Twain Harte Bible Church

Cindy Rivera - Chapel in the Pines Twain Harte

Cyndi Kirk - Word of Life Fellowship Church

Debbie White - Calvary Chapel Sonora

Delma Harris - First Congregational Church of Christ Murphys

Janet Luquire - Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

Karla Wasson - Sonora United Methodist Church

Leslie Davis - First Presbyterian Church of the 49ers

Louise Leedy - Sonora United Methodist Church

Margie Kerner - St. Matthew's Lutheran Church

Mary Leamy - All Saints Catholic Church

Pat Humphrey - Sonora Baptist Church

Shirley Hovey - St. Michael's All Angels Anglican Church

Susan Ballard - Sierra Bible Church

Susan Jarvis - Christian Heights Church

Venita Meyers - West Point Community Covenant Church

Wanda Day - First Baptist Church of Big Oak Flat

Church Basement Ladies 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 online at www.sierrarep.org.