Hilarity Abounds as “Virgil Wins the Lottery”
Mama Hooper (Sharon Ringelestein) watches Papa Hooper (Mark Hansen) as he tries to contact his “good buddies” on his portable CB radio in a scene from the Fremont Lions Club production of “Virgil Wins The Lottery.” The show runs Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Fremont School. A pre-show meal is available beginning twos before show time in the school cafeteria.
FREMONT – Give Virgil Sludge a few bucks and the chance to win thousands and something strange will occur. Mama Hooper would just as soon her daughter Margaret had married someone else. Then Virgil wins the lottery – sort of.
That is just the beginning of the hilarity that can only be delivered by the cast of the Fremont Lions Club production of “Virgil Wins The Lottery.” The play takes the stage at Fremont School this weekend. The show will perform Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. There will be pre-show meal served in the cafeteria beginning two hours before the show.
From the moment Virgil (Shannon Bethune) walks on the stage there is trouble. Not only do Virgil and Margaret (Jeanene Calhoun) differ on almost everything, but also when Margaret finds out he has bought a lottery ticket the plot thickens as Margaret’s temper boils.
Through the Sludge household parades a cast of offbeat relatives. Virgil’s sister Bertha Mae (Janice West), who thinks she knows the Good Book, provides some of the best side gags. The Hoopers, Mama (Sharon Ringelestein) and Papa Hooper add even more to the hillbilly comedy. Papa Hooper (Mark Hansen) uses a CB even though the telecommunication device is seldom used.
Will winning the lottery change the Sludges? There is a good possibility it will change their “friends” and relatives. Ellard (Sandy Eckley) may “arise” to marry Bertha Mae. Will the Sludges join the exclusive W.O.R.L.D Club?
This is the 33rd year for the Fremont Players. Bill Ward (Papa Sludge), Hansen, and Marge Holliman have appeared in very show. West is in her 29th show. Making their Fremont stage debut are Brent Swearingen (DJ Wolf), Dan Guiter (Fred Fountain), Melissa Thomas (Mona Graves), and Cassie Veldhuizen (Patsy Clines Rhoades).
Other cast members include, Martha Scharff, Christina Kime, Dollie Horn, Sherri Baxter, and Ryan Keep. Directors for the show are Mindy Archer and Scott Bethune.
Tickets for the show are available from any cast member, Lions Club member or by contacting Bill Ward at 641-295-6060.
