The Moss Trap takes the stage at Fremont
Mrs. Moss (Martha Scharff) talks with Rhett the butler (Donnie Zook) and Nellen Voyd (Dollie Horn) about the activities at Moss Manor. The conversation takes place at the Fremont School in the annual Fremont Community Theatre Production of “The Moss Trap. The show is sponsored by the Fremont Lions Club. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 6-8 and 2 p.m. on Sunday. (submitted photo)
FREMONT – Laughter is in the air as Fremont Community Theatre and Fremont Lions Club produces “The Moss Trap” this weekend. The show opens Thursday, Feb. 6 and runs through Sunday Feb. 9 at the Fremont School. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Dinners are available before each show in the school cafeteria.
The production is under the direction of long-time theatre members Mindy Archer and Scott Bethune.
The basic story finds Mrs. Moss preparing to retire. She runs a rundown inn and would like to sell it. But to whom should she sell? Does she sell it to the paper magnet? The leftover hippie? The local historical society?
Moss Manor becomes the haven of colorful characters in the play that provides the audience with a chance for laughs throughout the performance. An escaped murderer, a deaf butler, a magician, conniving lawyer, retiring cops and a colonel all create an evening of fun.
Martha Scharff stars as Mrs. Moss. No stranger to the Fremont stage, Scharff as her character ties everything together as she tries to decide what to do with the inn, her life and her devoted employee, Rhett the butler (Donnie Zook).
Long-time theatre leader Bill Ward, who has performed in every production by the group, reprises a role he had before as he plays an escaped killer Dr. Charles Hoarse. He meets up with friend and relative Colonel Barfly (Mark Hanson). Colonel Barfly is the unwilling accomplice to Dr. Hoarse’s revenge plan.
Strange characters continue to make their way to Moss Manor to cause havoc for Mrs. Moss. Several who wish to purchase the inn; including, Donna Quackenbush (Janice West) and Phyllis Upton (Sharon Ringlestein) represent a local historical society. T.T. Charmin (Shannon Bethune) and his wife Happy (Jeanene Calhoun), and a leftover hippie Pat Pending (Sandy Eckley) all wish to make claims on the property for various reasons.
No Fremont show is complete without a hillbilly segment. Enter Nellen Voyd (Dollie Horn) and her children Jud (Ron Rupprecht) and Myrtle (Judy G). They have come to pay their respects to Mrs. Moss for the loss of her husband – several years ago. Add in a conniving attorney (R.D. Keep) and one is able to see why Mrs. Moss is in distress.
There is a pre-show dinner each performance in the school cafeteria. Tickets for the show are available at the door.
