MONROE - The Monroe Arts Center is serving up a comedy romp with outrageous country-fried Southern characters and country, blues and rockabilly tunes, when "Della's Diner" plays at 7:30 p.m. April 25 in the Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.
"Della's Diner," book by Tom Edwards, music by Harris Wheeler and lyrics by Mary L. Fisher, premiered in Atlanta in 1978 and ran for many years, developing a cult following and spawning a slew of hit sequels. The story hinges on the experiences of three women.
Della, who has escaped her own dark past, is the sassy, big-hearted café owner who dispenses love, wisdom and moral advice to the parade of oddballs who come and go from her cozy diner on Morning Glory Mountain. Her beautiful daughter Ramona is home after a failed attempt to make it as a country music singer. And Connie Sue Day, a former country music star and diva with sass and spark, is back and fresh out of prison.
Meanwhile, Della's husband, survivalist Ricky Jim Robinson, is digging a bomb shelter and preparing to face off with Ramona's red-white-and-blue husband, Sheriff Ronnie Frank Flaugher. While Della is trying to keep her family from killing each other, a stranger arrives in the diner with ties to Della's checkered past. If all of this isn't enough, Della discovers a shocking secret that threatens the future of her diner.
The touring cast includes Hilary Paige Willis as Della; Sandia Ahlers as Ramona; Allison Dixon as Connie Sue; Jeremiah Hobbs as Ricky Jim; Tate LeClair as Preacher Larry; and Russ Yoe as Sheriff Ronnie Frank; all accompanied by Chris Brent Davis on piano and Taylor Mosely on drums.
"Della's Diner" is produced by Springer Theatricals, the national touring arm of the Springer Opera House, a 143-year-old National Historic Landmark theatre in Columbus, Georgia.
With original show tunes like "Side of Fries," "Satisfaction Guaranteed," "Halfway to Heaven" and "All American Male," "Della's Diner" is a crowd-pleaser with fun and laughter on the menu. This show is rated PG.
Reserved seat tickets for "Della's Diner" are $25 and $20 for adults and $10 for students 18 years of age and under. Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, 1315 11th St.; by calling the Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands Inc. and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing LLC and Big Radio. Additional underwriting for this presentation has been provided by Pete Guenther and Barb Woodriff; Monroe Clinic; Ruda Chevrolet Toyota; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Pat and Annette Holmstrom; Bob and Kathy Reffue; Deb Thompson; Bob and Gaida Vickerman; Woodford State Bank; and Freitag Financial Services-Kay Freitag.
"Della's Diner," book by Tom Edwards, music by Harris Wheeler and lyrics by Mary L. Fisher, premiered in Atlanta in 1978 and ran for many years, developing a cult following and spawning a slew of hit sequels. The story hinges on the experiences of three women.
Della, who has escaped her own dark past, is the sassy, big-hearted café owner who dispenses love, wisdom and moral advice to the parade of oddballs who come and go from her cozy diner on Morning Glory Mountain. Her beautiful daughter Ramona is home after a failed attempt to make it as a country music singer. And Connie Sue Day, a former country music star and diva with sass and spark, is back and fresh out of prison.
Meanwhile, Della's husband, survivalist Ricky Jim Robinson, is digging a bomb shelter and preparing to face off with Ramona's red-white-and-blue husband, Sheriff Ronnie Frank Flaugher. While Della is trying to keep her family from killing each other, a stranger arrives in the diner with ties to Della's checkered past. If all of this isn't enough, Della discovers a shocking secret that threatens the future of her diner.
The touring cast includes Hilary Paige Willis as Della; Sandia Ahlers as Ramona; Allison Dixon as Connie Sue; Jeremiah Hobbs as Ricky Jim; Tate LeClair as Preacher Larry; and Russ Yoe as Sheriff Ronnie Frank; all accompanied by Chris Brent Davis on piano and Taylor Mosely on drums.
"Della's Diner" is produced by Springer Theatricals, the national touring arm of the Springer Opera House, a 143-year-old National Historic Landmark theatre in Columbus, Georgia.
With original show tunes like "Side of Fries," "Satisfaction Guaranteed," "Halfway to Heaven" and "All American Male," "Della's Diner" is a crowd-pleaser with fun and laughter on the menu. This show is rated PG.
Reserved seat tickets for "Della's Diner" are $25 and $20 for adults and $10 for students 18 years of age and under. Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, 1315 11th St.; by calling the Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands Inc. and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing LLC and Big Radio. Additional underwriting for this presentation has been provided by Pete Guenther and Barb Woodriff; Monroe Clinic; Ruda Chevrolet Toyota; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Pat and Annette Holmstrom; Bob and Kathy Reffue; Deb Thompson; Bob and Gaida Vickerman; Woodford State Bank; and Freitag Financial Services-Kay Freitag.