Troupe serves up tempting 'Just Desserts'
BUTLER TWP — Serving up a slice of silliness will be Sing Hosanna! with its annual dinner theater Aug. 17 at the South Butler Fire Hall.
In between bites of ham balls, perogies, mixed vegetables and mandarin orange cake, the audience can participate in the hilarious mystery comedy “Just Desserts” by Craig Sodaro.
The story revolves around a bake-off competition. The character of Judge Reginald P. Cogsworth will be portrayed by Jayson Reppart.
“My character is a rude and crude man who hates sweets, and ironically he is judging a desert contest that he doesn't want to participate in,” said the Grove City High School freshman.
Countless contest entries have been whittled down to three: a raspberry tart submitted by Lucy “Scooter” Bright (Lorraine Martin), owner of a nail salon; a cake from a Depression-era recipe baked by Edna Mae Carter (Dale Riemer), the local librarian; and a rich chocolate torte created by Margaret Mason (Trish Canedy), a local society lady.
“Margaret is an English aristocrat, who is filthy rich and is not embarrassed to make others aware of it,” said Canedy, who last appeared with Sing Hosanna! as one of the pirates in “Peter Pan.”
One of her contest counterparts is a cat lady.
“I play Edna Mae Carter, a sweet little old lady who is the town librarian and absolutely adores her cat,” said Riemer of her role.
They are both in competition with a southern belle.
“I portray Lucy 'Scooter' Bright, a southern belle who is not very quick. Despite her demure demeanor, she does not take any grief and will fight back when necessary,” said Martin.
In the middle of tasting all the goodies, sour Judge Cogsworth drops dead, and it's up to Monsieur Peabody (Rodney Gasch), head of the contest, and the audience to determine the murderer.
There will be clues, some hidden and some quite obvious, to help.
The audience also gets to question the three contestants, all of whom had some unhappy dealings with the judge in the past.
“Monsieur P. is the host of the dessert baking competition, and the person that guides the audience to help solve the mystery,” said Gasch, who added he is enjoying this dinner theater because it's a fun way to do theater and it's for a good cause.
The dinner theater will have two seatings, one at noon and one at 5 p.m. There will be drawings and a collection of treasures all needing a second home.
“Proceeds from this family fun event will go toward our general fund,” said the director, Ralph Christy Jr.
WHO: Sing Hosanna!WHAT: Dinner theater comedy “Just Desserts”WHEN: Noon and 5 p.m. Aug. 17WHERE: South Butler Fire Hall, 98 Old Plank RoadTICKETS: $20 for adults and $7 for children age 10 and younger, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St. Reservations are required by Tuesday.INFO: 724-287-8362
