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Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
United States
Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents 'Church Basement Ladies,' July 14-21, 2016

by Patricia Rettig
July 14, 2016
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
9301 N. Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-872-9664
After the tasty buffet, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre serves up heaping helpings of laughs this summer with the return of Church Basement Ladies, the show that got the hilarious series cookin’! This fun celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there is now on stage through Aug. 21.

Hilarity takes over when the four Church Basement Ladies do their best to organize meals, stave off potential disasters, share and debate recipes, keep the pastor on due course and try to solve the problems of their changing rural Minnesota church in 1964. Together they tackle both food and food for thought while managing a record breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter fundraiser and a hot July wedding.

Returning to reprise their roles from the original production at Beef & Boards are Licia Watson as the matriarch Vivian Snustad, Karen Pappas as the unforgettable Mavis Gilmerson and Eddie Curry as Pastor E.L. Gunderson. Joining the cast are Lindsay Sutton (last seen in the title role of our 2011 production of "Cinderella") as Signe Engelson and newcomer Dawn Trautman (an authentic Minnesotan Lutheran) as Signe’s mother, Karin Engelson.

Based on the Scandinavian Lutheran humor writings of Janet Martin and Suzann Nelson, authors of “Growing Up Lutheran,” the women of Church Basement Ladies are familiar and down-to-earth characters who can be found in any denomination.

Church Basement Ladies is on stage for 46 performances through Aug. 21 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from $41 to $66 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet and select beverages. Parking is always free. For reservations, call the box office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. Discounts are available to groups of 20 or more; contact the Group Sales Department for more details.

For more information, including complete show schedule, visit beefandboards.com.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indiana’s only year-round professional dinner theatre,has been serving up exceptional entertainment since 1973.

Fact Sheet

WHAT: Church Basement Ladies

WHEN: July 14 through Aug. 21, 2016
Weekday/Saturday Evenings
Doors open at 6 p.m.; Buffet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Show at 8 p.m.
July: 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Aug.: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Weekday Matinees
Doors open at 11 a.m.; Buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Show at 1 p.m.
July: 14, 20, 27
Aug.: 3, 4, 11, 17, 18

Sunday Evenings
Doors open at 5 p.m.; Buffet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Show at 7 p.m.
July: 17, 24, 31
Aug.: 7, 14

Sunday Matinees
Doors open at noon; Buffet from 12:15 to 1 p.m.; Show at 1:30 p.m.
July: 17, 24, 31
Aug.: 7, 14, 21

WHO:
Director Curt Wollan Choreographer Wendy Short-Hays
Musical Director Debbie Myers Costume Design Jill Kelly Set Design Michael Layton Lighting Design Ryan Koharchik

Starring
Licia Watson as Vivian Snustad Karen Pappas as Mavis Gilmerson
Dawn Trautman as Karin Engelson Lindsay Sutton as Signe Engelson
Eddie Curry as Pastor E.L.
Gunderson

WHERE: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre 9301 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, 46268

TICKETS: Available by calling the box office at 317.872.9664 between 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. Tickets range from $41 to $66 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar, and select beverages. Group rates available for parties of 20 or more. Call the Group Sales Department for details.

WEB SITE: For more information or show schedule, visit beefandboards.com
Pastor E.L. Gunderson (Eddie Curry), center, sings with the Lutheran ladies (from left), Signe (Lindsay Sutton), Vivian (Licia Watson), Mavis (Karen Pappas) and Karin (Dawn Trautman) that they’re “Closer to Heaven” in the church basement in the musical comedy 'Church Basement Ladies.' Equal parts silly and sweet, Church Basement Ladies is on stage at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre through Aug. 21.

Pastor E.L. Gunderson (Eddie Curry), center, sings with the Lutheran ladies (from left), Signe (Lindsay Sutton), Vivian (Licia Watson), Mavis (Karen Pappas) and Karin (Dawn Trautman) that they’re “Closer to Heaven” in the church basement in the musical comedy 'Church Basement Ladies.' Equal parts silly and sweet, Church Basement Ladies is on stage at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre through Aug. 21.

Photo © & courtesy of Patricia Rettig


The zany Lutheran ladies (from left), Vivian (Licia Watson), Signe (Lindsay Sutton), Mavis (Karen Pappas) and Karin (Dawn Trautman) prepare to serve another meal in the church basement in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of 'Church Basement Ladies.' The hilarious musical comedy is live on stage through Aug. 21.

The zany Lutheran ladies (from left), Vivian (Licia Watson), Signe (Lindsay Sutton), Mavis (Karen Pappas) and Karin (Dawn Trautman) prepare to serve another meal in the church basement in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of 'Church Basement Ladies.' The hilarious musical comedy is live on stage through Aug. 21.

Photo © & courtesy of Patricia Rettig


Vivan Snustad (Licia Watson), at left in back, savors the pungent aroma as she lifts the lid from a pot of lutefisk, a traditional Lutheran preparation of cod, in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s current production of 'Church Basement Ladies.' Unable to share her enthusiasm for the dish are (from left) Signe Engelson (Lindsay Sutton), Mavis Gilmerson (Karen Pappas) and Karin Engelson (Dawn Trautman). The hilarious musical comedy is live on stage through Aug. 21.

Vivan Snustad (Licia Watson), at left in back, savors the pungent aroma as she lifts the lid from a pot of lutefisk, a traditional Lutheran preparation of cod, in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s current production of 'Church Basement Ladies.' Unable to share her enthusiasm for the dish are (from left) Signe Engelson (Lindsay Sutton), Mavis Gilmerson (Karen Pappas) and Karin Engelson (Dawn Trautman). The hilarious musical comedy is live on stage through Aug. 21.

Photo © & courtesy of Patricia Rettig

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