Kneeling are Lucas Graf and Walter Herrman II.
The back row, left to right are Micah Weltzin, Corey Graf, A.J. Becker, Ben Stone, Zack Foss and Brian Keeler.

Fruitcakes is a comedy/ drama, by Julian Wiles.
December 4th, 9th, 10th 7:00 pm
December 5th, 11th 2:00 pm
Tickets are $8.00, sold at Peter and Annie’s on Main, or at the door of the ETC.

Mix together a batch of fruitcakes, three dozen Christmas trees, 10,000 outdoor Christmas lights, a chicken pox epidemic, two southern spinsters, (Dorene Weltzin and Hope Vicich), an estranged old man, (Brian Keeler), a lost cat named Tutti Frutti and a Christmas hog named Buster and you’ve got the recipe for a fun filled and touching evening filled with holiday cheer. Into this world comes Jamie, (Ben Stone), a kid who has run away from home and come as far as his money will take him. At first he thinks this town’s inhabitants are “nuttier than fruitcakes,” but soon he comes to admire, appreciate and adore this nutty little town.

A moving story of alienation, understanding and reconciliation, FrUiTCaKeS provides audiences with a heaping helping of holiday warmth and Christmas cheer.
Also included in the cast are: Corey Graf, Micah Weltzin, Eric Becker, Sharai Hefty, Patty Gerber, Jonah Helbig, A.J. Becker, Zach Foss, Lucas Graf, Aaron Turcott, Walter Herrman II, Lindsey Bangsberg, Kate Stone, Kayla Gerber, Matea Anderson, Kassandra Anderson, Kela Vicich, Kait Dorn, Natalie Vicich and Tanner Gerber.

The play will be directed by Diane Thorp and Corey Graf. The production dates will be Dec. 4, 9, 10 at 7:00 p.m. and Dec. 5 and 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the ETC Theater, across from the Cumberland Elementary School. Tickets are $8 and will be sold at Peter and Annie’s on main street and at the door at ETC.

October 21st – 23rd and 28th – 30th

Thursday, Friday, Saturday each week 7:00 pm curtain Time at the ETC

Tickets sold ian advance at Peter & Annie’s or at the door: $8.00 each
Ice Cold Leinenkugels and Deer Camp snacks available each night at the play.

Show times will be at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday, August 25-28.
Note there will not be a Sunday performance.
All tickets are $8.00 and are available at Peter and Annie’s or at the door

Actors left to right, Lauren Dehline, Wesley Wagner, Josh Thornwall, Ray Wiik, Megan Harding, Quin Buechner

Dixie Swim Club
July 8, 9, 10 – 7:00 pm
July 11 – 2:00 pm

Come enjoy the regional premiere of The Dixie Swim Club at The Cumberland Arts Center. Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge their friendships. The play focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of thirty-three years.

Sheree, played by Barb Lynch, is the spunky team captain, who desperately tries to maintain her organized and ‘perfect’ life, and continues to be the groups leader.

Dinah (Val Sutherland), the wise-cracking overachiever, is a career dynamo.

Lexie (Sarah Lundquist), pampered and outspoken, is determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible.

The self-deprecating and acerbic Vernadette (Sharai Hefty), acutely aware of the dark cloud that hovers over her life, has decided to just give in and embrace the chaos.

And sweet, eager-to-please Jeri-Neal (Diane Thorp) experiences a late entry into motherhood that takes them all by surprise.

As their lives unfold and the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another, through advice and raucous repartee to get through the challenges (men, sex, marriage, parenting, divorce, aging) that life flings at them. “The Dixie Swim Club” is the story of these five unforgettable women – a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever.

The play is directed by Travis Thorp and Ann Ethen. Showtime will be 7 PM on Thursday through Saturday, July 8-10, with a 2PM matinee on Sunday, July 11. Tickets will be $8 and available at Peter and Annie’s.

Dates: April 30, May 1,2,7,8,9 Sunday is a 2:00 matinee

Our spring play is a comedy by Dalton Trumbo. Set in 1948, a small town undertaker played by Dave Evenson, and the local Doctor, played by Dan Hoffmann set out to steal the body of John Troybalt (Brian Keeler), the richest man in town. The editor of the paper (Phil Amundson) and pharmacist (Steve Wickre) aid and abet them in their efforts and the consequences. Troybalts associate (Mike Clay) personal Doctor (Jim Kerr) and night nurse (Jaime Helgeson) show up just to keep things hopping. Meanwhile the undertakers daughter (Ericka Strickland) is involved in a young romance with a less than successful young man (Aaron Effertz). Mike Clay and Dorene Weltzin are doing their best to direct this cast of characters.

Mike Clay and Jeff and Chris Hopkins-Hile were in this production in 1978 at The Red Barn. Any time you see them talking about this show you’ll see big grins and laughter as they recall the humor of this well written comedy. Come see it and you’ll be laughing too. The shows are at 7 PM on the Friday and Saturday nights, with both Sundays being 2 PM matinees. This show would be rated PG-13 for language and drinking scenes.

FOOTLOOSE (C.H.S. Musical): March 25-27 at 7:00, and Sun. March 28 at 2:00. Tickets are now available, for this show, in the High School office for $8. Performances will be at the ETC.

Cumberland Cabaret:
On Saturday January 30th Cumberlands ETC presents the 11th annual Cumberland Cabaret.

For the second year in a row, ETC and Friends of the Cumberland Library are joining efforts to bring you dinner and a show. This years theme is Cumberlands Got Talent, and the line-up for the show proves that point. All ages are represented, from the youngest middle schoolers, Mariah Capra and Carly Haynie performing a duet to a Taylor Swift song to the Mens Chorus.

From teenagers Zoe Hopkins Hile, Anna Ruth Haugen, and Lauren Dehline gracing us with their lovely voices to seasoned performers, soloist Jim Kerr, singer/guitarists Dan Hoffman and Roger Harrison, and singer/banjo players John Ostrum and Chris Landstrom.

Actress/singer Sharai Hefty will perform Crazy made popular by Patsy Kline and shell put a big smile on your face with her rendition of Hey Big Spender. Comedian Angel Benes will pantomime her way through Shes Got You another Patsy Kline song.

Representing young adults we have Karen Matthys singing two country western songs and the talented singer/musician/song writers Bethany Nash, and David Hopkins Hile with friends Scott Melby and Cayla Kluver.

Finally, the group Third Sunday Jam, which includes several of the previously named performers, will entertain us with music and song.

The Friends of the Library benefit dinner will be served preceding the show at the American Legion Hall. Profits from this years dinner will be used to purchase a sound system for the Library. On the menu are delicious homemade chicken and biscuits, dessert, and coffee or milk. Entertaining throughout the dinner hour will be the very talented violinist, Anna Ruth Hagen. The American Legion Hall is walking distance to the ETC Art Center, so you only need to park once.

The American Legion is located at 1225 Veterans Ave. dinner is served from 5:00 6:30. The ETC Art Center is located at 1595 2nd Ave, doors open at 6:30, show begins at 7:00 PM.

Tickets for the dinner are $4.00 for ages 10 and under and $8.00 for everyone else. Tickets for the show are $5.00. Both can be purchased in advance at Peter and Annies 1387 2nd Ave. in Cumberland or at the door.

Christmas Belles: Dec. 4-6 and 10-12
A brief synopsis of the play: a church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.

Director: Ann Ethen.
Cast:
Frankie Futrelle Dubberly (Christine Hopkins-Hile)
Twink Futrelle (Margritte Graf)
Honey Raye Futrelle (Sarah Lundquist)
Miss Geneva Musgrave (Val Sutherland)
Patsy Price (Marty Voshell)
Dub Dubberly (Andy Bangsberg)
Gina Jo Dubberly (Sara Franc)
Pastor Justin Waverly (Corey Graf)
Rhonda Lynn Lampley(Barb Lynch)
Officer John Curtis Buntner (Tom Toftness)
Raynerd Chisum (Brian Keeler)
Show times are December 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. All performances will start at 7:00 P.M. except for Sunday

DRINKING HABITS, By Tom Smith
Tickets are now available at Peter and Annies and at the door.

Show Times: August 26th -29th 2009 at 7:00 pm

Directed by: Eva Srubar

Characters:
Sister Philamena, a nun- Diane Thorp

Sister Augusta, a nun- Dorene Weltzin

George, 20s, a handyman- Aaron Effertz

Mother Superior, – Deanna Snow

Paul, 24, a reporter- Corey Graf

Sally, 20s, a reporter- Margritte Graf

Sister Mary Catherine, a novice nun- Bethany Nash

Father Chenille, – Josh Thornwall

Time/Place: 1960s in the convent of the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing

DRINKING HABITS is a farce in two acts. Sister Augusta, (Dorene Weltzin), and Sister Philamena, (Diane Thorp), have been secretly making and selling wine for years to keep the doors of their small convent open. But when their wine suddenly wins an award worth a half-million dollars, newspaper reporters (and former fianc?es) Paul, (Corey Graf), and Sally, (Margritte Graf), begin searching for the winners.

As Sally and Paul spy on the convent, they are caught by Mother Superior, (Deanna Snow). Sally pretends to be the new nun Mother Superior was expecting, and Paul claims to be a visiting priest. But when Father Chenille (Josh Thornwall), sees Paul, he suspects Rome of sending out a new priest to replace him. And when the actual new nun, Sister Mary Catherine, (Bethany Nash), does arrive, Mother Superior believes her to be a spy from Rome, sent out to investigate the convent.

Chaos ensues as Augusta and Philamena secretly try to press more wine, Paul and Sally try to find the winemakers, and Mother Superior and Father Chenille spy on the suspected spies.

A traditional, laugh-out-loud farce for the whole family that will keep audiences laughing well after the curtain call!

Drinking Habits rehearsals at Cumberland ETC:
Josh Thornwall, Bethany Nash, Dorene Weltzin, Deanna Snow, Aaron Effertz, Diane Thorp, Corey and Margritte Graf

Thursday – Saturday June 11th – 13th 7:00 pm

Sunday June 14th 2:00 pm

Thursday – Saturday June 18th – 20th 7:00 pm

Sunday June 21st 7:00 pm
Tickets are $10.00 and available at Peter and Annie’s or at the ETC door.

ETC presents the classic Broadway Hit Musical Fiddler on the Roof the 2nd and 3rd weekends in June. Jerry Bock, Joseph Stein and Sheldon Harnick have adapted Sholom Aleichems stories of Tevye the Dairyman to this wonderful family play. Best known songs from this play include If I were a Rich Man and Sunrise, Sunset but there are another dozen or so songs that you may find yourself humming upon leaving the theater.

Fiddler depicts the life of Tevye and Golde and their five daughters and other friends as they make their way as Jews in pre revolutionary Russia, about 1905. Much of the story focuses on the marriages of three of the daughters, each one threatening tradition more than the last, as well as increasing troubles with the Russian authorities.

Dan Hoffman plays the lead the first week and Ron Ruppel the second week, and Val Dehline plays the part of Golde. Their daughters are played by Bethany Nash, Zoe Hopkins-Hile, Lauren Dehline, Caitlin Harris and Natasha Rodriguez.

Kelsey Pederson plays The Fiddler on June 11, 14, 19 and 20, and Anna Ruth Haugen plays The Fiddler on June 12, 13, 18 and 21. Hope Vicich is Yente the Matchmaker, and Jim Kerr is Lazar Wolf. Conor Erb, Josh Thornwall and Micah Weltzin play the grooms and Jeanne Beck, Jamie DeGolier and Abraham Ortiz are other soloists. Nathan Thornwall, Aaron Effertz, Micah Weltzin, Juliana Braml, Josh Thornwall and Abraham Ortiz are principal dancers. Other villagers and Russians include Margritte Graf, Kate Stone, Mariah Capra, Lindsey Bangsberg, Livia Barker, Melissa Haugen, Cheryl Buechner, Anna Ostenson, Alaura Thornwall, Quinn Buechner, Steve Wickre, Roger Hilde, Tom Toftness, Corey Graf, Mike Clay, Jason Baker, Jakob Braml, Falisity Buechner, Dakota Buechner and Craig Bucher.

Dave Evenson directs and John Westin is the Musical Director. The pit band includes Marty Voshell, Lisa Barker, Kelsey Pederson, Anna Ruth Haugen, Shawn Muench, Gary Dorn, Nancy Keeler and Eric Westin. Choreographers are Catherine Tuminaro and Chris Hopkins-Hile and other cast members.