New Lyons Community Theater presenting a racy, fun play this weekend

CAST PHOTO: from left to right: (BACK ROW) David Perry, Randy Pollard, Aimee Kane, Joseph Lekarczyk, Chris Toepfer, Barney Dreistadt, Deliliah Ruebush, Charlie Corson, (FRONT) Chrystal DeCoster, Donna Guest, Paige Perry and Mindy Tallent,-and- Esther van Zyl. == All Lyons Locals!

Lyons Community Theater was born when Patty McNichol was visiting Wendy and Barney Dreistadt one summer afternoon. The question came up as to why there was no community theater in this town given that there’s so much creative talent. Barney stated that there had been a theater prior to the flood. Patty stated that she had seen a radio show in Florida and that maybe something like that could be produced because it would require such little set making and so few props. Wendy said quit talking about it and do it.

And so Barney found a script; and they put out a call for auditions, and the radio show was born. Esther van Zyl, a professional actress, was the first person to respond to the auditions. She jumped right on board and helped the group move forward, since none of them were professional theatre people… and the rest is history.

That first “Radio Theater” production happened in October of 2022, and it drew a packed house. Barney directed the live, in-person performances of the “Allen & Burns” -and- Dragnet old time radio shows. This September show is their first play.

The group has now become incorporated and has filed for a 501(c)3 designation. They say they are “having a blast,” and trying to include as many possible community members as they can. Their goal is for it to grow and involve Lyons neighbors and friends “because it’s so much fun.”

Play Synopsis: This is an adult comedy (18 & older) in three acts with
timely and topical subjects, a few F-bombs, and language that has
probably never been “politically correct.” It centers around a
small-town women’s book club. In the first act you meet the women. In
the second act you meet their husbands, who have been roped into
creating their own reading group. And in the third act the wives
decide it would be fun to do this as couples. What could possibly go
wrong?

==Title: The Mammoth Springs Junior Chamber of Commerce and Their Wives
Discuss Great Works of Literature, High School Basketball, Sex, and
Other Things === Playwright: Le Wilhelm
==Performance Dates/Times: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, September 21, 22, and 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyons Library.
==Suggested Donation: $15 to $20 per person. == Beer, wine, & soft drinks will be available before the performance, at intermissions (2), and after the performance. Suggested Donation: $5.

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Thanks to the team for helping put this production together. == Director: Joseph Lekarczyk == Crew: Administrative team – Wendy Dreistadt & Patty McNichol; Costumes – Andrea Marshall & Georgi Pollard.

And to Lyons Arts & Humanities Commission for their support.