Center Stage Theatre to Present "Bus Stop" Oct. 5-9 at SCC

Published: 09/29/2011

The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 5-6, at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 7-8, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. There will be a high school matinee performance at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6.

The naive, but headstrong rodeo cowboy, Bo, falls in love with Cherie, a “fifth rate” nightclub singer. Determined that Cherie is the girl of his dreams, Bo kidnaps her with the intention of taking her back to his ranch in Montana, getting married and living happily ever after. When the bus stops at Grace’s Diner, the passengers learn the road is blocked and they have to wait out the bad weather together. This 1955 romantic comedy was nominated for four Tony Awards and was adapted for film in 1956, starring Marilyn Monroe.

The play was written by William Inge, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who was once a community college student himself. Also known as the “Playwright of the Midwest,” Inge was born and raised in Independence, Kan., but had roots in Missouri as well. He taught for five years at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and was once a drama, movie and music critic for the St. Louis Star-Times. He also taught at Washington University in St. Louis for a few years in the 1940s.

Cast members include: Riley Mansini as Elma Duckworth, Courtney Hooker as Grace Hoylard, Wes Meinhold as Will Masters, Samantha Bonomo as Cherie, Paul Luft as Dr. Lyman, David Smithson as Carl, Nick Simon as Virgil Blessing and Josh Kaestner as Bo Decker.

The play will be directed by Deborah Phillips. The production staff includes: Lonna Wilke, scenic and lighting design; Jeff Roop, technical director; Sandra Davis, costume and makeup design; Elisabeth Wurm, stage manager; Erin Johnson, assistant stage manager; and Zach Mielke, assistant technical director.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and college students with ID. Tickets will be offered at a special reduced price of $5 for everyone on Wednesday, Oct. 5. To purchase tickets, visit www.stchastickets.com or call the SCC Box Office at 636-922-8050. For additional information, visit www.stchas.edu/calendar. St. Charles Community College is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville.

Established in 1986, St. Charles Community College is celebrating 25 years as a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.