City cousins, country kin cross paths in holiday comedy

City cousins meet their country kin in "Christmas in Cricket County," a comedy being presented as a dinner theater event by the McCook United Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14. The cast includes, front row, from left, Seth Griger, Abby Johnson, Kassi Cooper, Tami Pochop; back row, Kay Flaska, Bryce Osterman, Jim Pleinis, Todd Cooper and Mary Shirkey. (Jeremy Blomstedt/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Memorial United Methodist Church will present a special dinner theater production of the holiday comedy "Christmas in Cricket County," Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, in the church's fellowship hall. The show will start at 6:30 p.m. on each night. The church is not charging a ticket fee; instead, they are requesting a free-will donation. Because of this, and the very limited seating, the church is asking that people who wish to attend make reservations, either by calling the church office at 345-2445, or by emailing them at office@mccookumc.org.

Written by Eddie McPherson and directed by Tami Pochop, the show follows the misadventures of two opposite branches of a family tree -- one from the country, one from the city -- who come together at Christmastime. Pochop said that that the rehearsal process "has been a lot of fun."

The cast for the show includes Kay Flaska as Mimi, Mary Shirkey as Petunia, Seth Griger as Pete, Bryce Osterman as Oswald, Kassi Cooper as Donna Jo, Tami Pochop as Glenda Mae, Abby Johnson as Brenda Mae, Jim Pleinis as Elkin and Todd Cooper as Fester.

There will only be 120 seats available for each night's performance, and Pochop said that 50 have already been reserved as of last Tuesday.