SCP opens “Bus Stop”

On Friday evening, February 3, the Sherman Community Players will open Bus Stop, a romantic comedy by William Inge. This endearing funny play tells the story of a group of bus passengers in the 1950’s, who find themselves stranded in café in a small town in rural Kansas during a snowstorm. The passengers are an assorted group of colorful characters including a hot-headed, naïve young cowboy who, overnight, has fallen in love with a pretty young nightclub singer, and he’s taking her home to Montana to marry, whether she likes it or not.

Other characters in the play include the earthy café owner, Grace, and her innocent young waitress Elma, a former college professor with a shady past, a guitar-playing cowboy, the town sheriff and a jovial bus driver.

The play functions on many levels, with fist fights, laughs, love and a bit of drama as the lonely café comes to life with its new clientele. Some Shakespeare is poorly acted, songs are sung, guitars are strummed, hearts are broken and mended. Although

the movie version starring Marilyn Monroe was played more as a drama, the playwright intend the play to be a comedy with dramatic moments.

Bus Stop will play February 3 through 19 with performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2 pm. Tickets for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows are $14 (adult and senior) and $7 (students). Thursday shows are $7 for all seats. There will also be a special preview performance before opening night on Thursday, February 2 with all seats priced at $5, and these tickets can be purchased at the door.

The box office will open for season member reservations only on Monday and Tuesday, January 30 and 31 at 9 am. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, February 1 at 10 am. The box office telephone number is 903-892-8818. Performances are held in the Finley Theatre at 500 N. Elm. The box office is located directly behind the theatre in the Honey McGee Playhouse.