Need a way to break the summer doldrums?

The Musical Theatre Guild's upcoming production might be just the ticket.

On July 21, 22 and 23, the guild is presenting "110 in the Shade," a musical adaptation of N. Richard Nash's play, "The Rainmaker."

"I'd call it a 'dramedy,'" said Karen O'Donnell, musical director. "It's got a message. It's serious, but it has its comedic moments."

The play begins in a 1930s-era Midwestern town that is stricken by drought.

"It all takes place in a 24-hour period," O'Donnell said.

H.C. Curry (Ron Vodenichar) has sent his daughter Lizzie (Monica Filippone) to a neighboring town to find a husband, but she returns empty-handed.

Lizzie's father and brothers, Noah (Brad Griffiths) and Jimmie (Chris Horsman), hatch a plan to find Lizzie a husband. They invite Sheriff File (Phil Ball), the town's most eligible bachelor, to the annual picnic.

Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger, Starbuck (Brookes Decker), arrives in town promising that he can make rain for $100.

The townspeople quickly become fans of Starbuck, but Lizzie sees through his ploy.

Soon Lizzie, who had reconciled herself to being an old maid, finds herself having to choose between two handsome men — File or Starbuck.

The show, directed by Kenny Schreffler and produced by Barb Osche and Dot Pasqualichio, features a variety of music, from toe-tapping rhythms to love ballads.

"The chorus is very evolved," O'Donnell said. "And there's a song between Jimmie and Snookie Updegraf, his love interest, called 'Little Red Hat' that's pretty cute."

The music, featuring 17 songs, was written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, who also wrote the music for the Broadway production of "The Fantastics."

The actors have been rehearsing the upcoming play for eight weeks.

"They're working very hard at it,"O'Donnell said.

The play starts at 8 p.m. July 21 and 22, and at 2 p.m. July 23 in the BC3 Cultural Center Succop Theater.

Tickets are now on pre-sale for $15 at May's Music Shoppe and the BC3 box office.

For tickets, call May's at 724-283-5811 or the box office at 724-284-8505.

<b>WHO: </b>Musical Theatre Guild<b>WHAT: </b>"110 in the Shade"<b>WHEN: </b>8 p.m. July 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. July 23<b>WHERE: </b>Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus<b>ADMISSION: </b>$15 in advance through the Succop Theater box office, 724-284-8505, or through May's Music Shoppe, E. Jefferson Street, 724-283-5811. Tickets will be $17 at the door and $10 for students.<b>INFORMATION: </b>724-287-8243