Romantic comedy 'Bus Stop' takes to SWNCTA stage this weekend

Gene Weedin, above left, plays a bus driver smitten by a cafe owner played by Martha Roe. Randy Andrews, above right and top left, plays the always- entertaining Dr. Gerald Lyman. The alcohol fueled advances of the elder Dr. Lyman, top, are naively flattering to the young waitress played by Chris Messinger. (Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre Association performed a full dress rehearsal of William Inge's "Bus Stop" Wednesday evening in preparation of this weekend's trio of performances at McCook High School Auditorium.

Part of SWNCTA's mission is to offer exceptional theatrical entertainment and Bus Stop is exactly that.

The casting was superbly done with a selection of very believable characters performing roles that make it easy to lose yourself in the story. The play takes place in a rural cafe with an excellent stage setup that appears to be a copy of somewhere most midwesterners would swear they had been before.

The script follows a charming love story between a gruff cowboy from Montana played by Doug Ohlson and a Kansas City dance hall singer played by Kathy Latta. The pair and a host of other characters are stranded in the cafe overnight and interactions that follow are hilarious.

With a variety of characters, including an inebriated college professor played by Randy Andrews; a naive high school girl played by Chris Messinger; and an honorable sheriff played by Phil Goodenberger; among others, spectators are certain to find several they can relate to and the performance an overall delight.

The romantic comedy will be presented at McCook Senior High School Auditorium this weekend, with show times at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 2 p.m. on Sunday. All tickets are $10 and are available at Janssen-Kool Honda and Hershberger Music Store, as well as at the door.