Clearwater Dinner Theatre is coming soon. 

 

This year’s play is Here Come the Brides, a comedy by William D. Fisher. 

 

The play is directed by Suesan Betzler - her first time in that role after performing on stage in a number of past plays.

 

The Clearwater Cast of Characters started rehearsing in January. Betzler says she really enjoys being director.

 

 “It’s been a joy. I helped Liz (Berg) as assistant director last year and one of the things I realized halfway through is that I absolutely loved watching the character development of everybody, seeing them grow and being able to help them,” she says. “So making the decision to direct was pretty easy. They’re a great group and very talented.”

 

The assistant director is Wanda Phelps, and there are 13 cast members. John George, who played the son in last year’s production of Francine’s Will, is the main character, Jimmy.

 

In the story, Jimmy is a young man who is living off a monthly check from his wealthy uncle. When Jimmy gets a roommate, Bill, his uncle mistakenly thinks Jimmy has gotten married and doubles his monthly check. But when his uncle one day decides to visit the married couple, Jimmy has less than a day to scramble and find someone to act as his wife. That’s where the comedy really takes off.

 

Betzler said she read the play among others when she was helping Berg select a play for last year’s dinner theatre.

 

“When I read this one I absolutely loved it because I could see our cast doing the play,” she says. “So I’ve known about this play for two years.”

 

Remaining cast members are Dave Berg, Trysha Tellers, Gary Phelps, Donna Stai, Erin Phelps, Liz Berg, Sandy Ernst, Trevor Erickson, Sara Tellers and first-time cast members, Amanda Spry, Micaela Wester and Deb Cole.

 

In addition to the play, Betzler and Angie Hoeft will be entertaining the crowd with music before the performance like they have done the past two years. 

 

“Angie and I are going to select love songs to keep with the theme of weddings and brides,” says Betzler.

 

Performances take place at the Eagle Trace Event Center Friday and Saturday on three consecutive weekends: March 24 & 25, March 31 & April 1, and April 7 & 8.

 

This year, $2 from every ticket from the first weekend’s performance is being donated Clearwater Fire & Rescue.

 

Tickets are $26, which includes performance and meal. For reservations, call 320-248-9420.