Hilarity Makes Its Return to Fremont Lions Stage
Members of the Fremont Community Theatre rehearse for the upcoming production of “No Place Like Homer.” Pictured are Christina Kime, Shannon Bethune, Jeanene Calhoun, and Bill Ward. Production runs Feb. 10-11 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. (submitted photo)
FREMONT – Oh the pains when your car breaks down especially if it occurs in a neighborhood that may be suspect. Bob and Sharon Wilson (Shannon Bethune and Jeanene Calhoun) have just that problem. Their BMW has broken down in Hooterville, oops, Homer, Kentucky.
For the 34th year the Fremont Lions Club is sponsoring the annual community play. This year’s venture in hilarity is titled “There’s No Place Like Homer.” And there is no place like Fremont to laugh your way through the night as the theatre troupe takes you to Homer. The show runs Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m., on the stage at Fremont School.
More than a dozen “characters” take the stage during the 90-minute show. As with many of the Fremont plays, this one is set in the backwoods in the land of moonshiners, outhouses and revivals.
Familiar faces and typical characters dot the stage. Christina Kime steps in as Madge working for restaurateur and preacher Bittie (Bill Ward) while Brent Swearingen (Red Barnes) and Ryan Keep (Tucker Evans) provide the set decoration. Red meets bob and something seems familiar while Tucker, “a can short of a six-pack,” plays dumb, but is he?
The production, under the direction of Mindy Archer and Scott Bethune, provides plenty of laughter and somewhat predictable moments. Ward and Marge Holliman, who plays one of the church members, have been in every production of the Fremont Community Theatre. Two new members join the troupe. Paula Morrison and Ricky Pierce make their debuts in small roles supporting the comedic antic of the rest of the cast.
The entire show centers around the Chicago commodities broker Bob and how is trying to get out of Homer. The problem is the citizens of Homer seem to get in his way at every turn. Bob comes in contact with the local sheriff (Sherri Baxter), a local (Mark Hansen) who has Bittie work on his teeth in the restaurant, a smattering of pious church members (Dollie Horn, Morrison, and Holliman) and an eccentric, born-again, on-fire woman of God (Sharon Van Ringelestein).
Tickets for the production are available from cast members or at the door. A pre-show meal is available with a free will donation. Serving begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Sunday at noon. For more information, contact Ward at 641-295-6060.
