MERCERSBURG – The historic Star Theatre packed the house Sept. 6, 7, 13, & 14 with the hilarious and heart-warming play, “A Second Helping: The Church Basement Ladies Sequel.”
Set in Cornucopia, Minnesota, in 1969 and 1970, the story is based on a series of books written by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson about life as a Lutheran from the 1940s to the 1960s.
Feisty and devout Vivian Snustad, played by Karen Powers-Davis, is a heart of gold dreamer. Hope Fleece delivers a brilliant emotionally conflicted performance as Karin Engleson, and comically witty Mavis Gilmerson is played by the talented Kasey Schaub. Joel Musser solidly backs up this comic ensemble as the quirky Pastor Gunderson, and the beautiful and outgoing Beverly, played by Jillian Dugan, sweetly stirs conflict with charm.
All the characters have unique ways of dealing with the changing world around them. Karin’s young daughter, Beverly, returns home from living in the big city with the announcement that she and her husband are inheriting a family farm … and she’s pregnant. Beverly’s outgoing style (and a skirt that reveals too much leg for Vivian) shakes up the traditions in the Church Ladies’ kitchen.
The real emotional impact is the conflict stirred within Karin. She is happy to have her daughter close to home and welcomes her role as a future grandmother, but another part of her wants more for her child. She envisions a bigger, better life than the one she has settled into. The heat intensifies when her husband passes away on the day of her granddaughter’s birth. Commanding the most complex character in the show, Hope Fleece’s performance tugs at heartstrings as she comes to accept the changes in her life and grow through them.
Vivian, who is bound to a wheelchair and had to step down as the head of the kitchen and cleaning staff at the church, is facing her own demons. She struggles with limitations posed by her handicap and adapting to the ever-evolving world, particularly shifts within the church. She also grapples with irrational fear of the “big city.” On a brighter side, widowed Vivian finds love again in the church handyman. Karen Powers-Davis excels in a well-paced reveal of internal conflicts steeped in generational shifts.
Perhaps the brightest of these shining stars is Kasey Schaub in her portrayal of Mavis. Schaub’s unique blend of physical comedy and sharp wit is the perfect comic relief to give balance to the deeper unfolding stories. Her winning charm and infectious smile crowns puns surrounding the physical mishaps that have plagued her family (in particular, her husband). Her cheering on of the doomed Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV, when they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, elicits scores of laughter. Even in the face of sadness and distress, Mavis keeps her composure and helps others feel comfort in her humor, which makes her one of the warmest characters in the show.
Wrapped up among these zany characters is Pastor Gunderson, a young man of the cloth who is facing his share of changing times within the church. His relationship with the ladies of the church basement is like a son, always seeking approval and wanting to fit in, while not sacrificing his aura of leadership within the church. His charming innocence peeks out in many scenes, even when he is in the background.
The play, written by Greta Grosch, features songs written by Drew Jansen and Dennis Curley. Multifaceted Director, Set Designer and Property Master Tom Musser demonstrates talent firing on all cylinders. The vintage set is awash with a perfectly placed color palette that seems to leap from the stage and land us back in time. Tom is joined by his equally multi-talented wife, Cathi Musser, acting as assistant director, co-property master and costume designer. The well-designed costumes adeptly range from homey to hilarious.
It’s a family affair at Star Theatre with the next Musser generation. Trevor Musser and wife Jessica are at the helm with all things sound. Trevor serves as sound designer, and the dynamic duo joins forces as music directors.
Lighting Designer Jeremy Stylers is supported by Kasey Souders on spotlight in technically solid design and execution that bathes the church basement in warm tones and includes creative light play on a particularly special dance number.
Cathi’s pre-show announcements share that she and her husband Tom purchased Star Theatre four years ago and have focused on bringing the best of family entertainment to the Mercersburg area. Any trip to enjoy this historic site should be complemented by the treat of their homemade Mt. Musser Kettle Corn at the concessions stand.
Get an early start with tri-state Christmas cheer and purchase your tickets now for Star Theatre’s next production, “A Christmas Blessing,” running Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21. The theater is located at 23 W. Seminary St., Mercersburg.
Photo Credits: Cathi Musser and Laura Dugan
Dusty Fleischman
Dusty is a published author and news reporter living in Waynesboro. He grew up in Hagerstown, and has published eight books which include the “Seaside Journey’s” and “Mayhem Manor” YA fiction book series and two collections of horror and fantasy short stories. For LocalNews1.org, Dusty also writes the Local History and Dining Out columns, as well as special event articles and local sports stories.
