Gospel comedy to be staged Saturday night at Russellville

Gospel comedy to be staged Saturday night at Russellville

RUSSELLVILLE -- The Russellville Community Center is teaming up with writer/director Preston Dildine to produce a gospel comedy on Saturday, March 16.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 with the performance commencing at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $12 per person for both dinner and show.

“The Dixie Theater’s First-Ever Gospel Sing” is the story of the Dixie Theater, a small community theater on the verge of closing.

Sandy, the theater manager, decides to take an idea thrown out by spunky janitor, Ruth Edna, and that idea is to host a gospel sing to raise funds and save the theater. To do so, they hire four performing groups: Billy Bob and his Buds (a country western family band), the St. Catherine’s Sister Act Tribute Band (a group of nuns who perform Motown hits for the Lord), This Lil Light of Mine Children’s Choir ( a group of incredibly talented, bratty children) and Meredith Anne Wilson (the queen of gospel music).

Adding to the show is that all of the acts are performed by the same four actors, featuring gospel tunes (“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “Jesus Is Alive and Well”), praise music (“Every Move I Make” and “This Little Light of Mine”), and some country hits (“Long Black Train” and ”Jesus on the Main Line”).

The show is written, directed and choreographed by Preston Dildine.

The cast features Crawfordsville King of Comedy winner Mahlon Nevitt (Sandy), Crawfordsville resident Kelli Brewer (Ruth Edna), Waynetown resident and Myers Dinner Theater favorite Julie Simpkins (Holly, Krissy, Sr. Sophia), Sugar Creek Players member Lora Burris (Betty Sue, Suzie, Sr. Helena, Meredith Anne Wilson) and Preston Dildine (Billy Bob, Sr. Bette, Pauly Assistant).

Little do they know that one of the performing acts threatens to take all of their proceeds.

The production will be combined with Russellville Community Center’s soup and sandwich dinner. A variety of soups will be provided, including taco, vegetable, beef stew, oyster stew, broccoli cheese, chicken noodle, potato, tomato, minestrone and ham and beans.

Also on the buffet will be ham salad, chicken salad and hot grilled cheese sandwiches along with a large relish tray. A variety of desserts and drinks will also be available.

For additional information, persons may contact Darrell Wiatt at 765-918-6312.