Written by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuelhlke
Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen
CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES, a new musical comedy, opened at the Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth, MN in September 2005 and was produced by Troupe America Inc., Curt Wollan, Executive Producer. The production was directed by Curt Wollan; choreography by Wendy Short Hays; musical direction by Drew Jansen; set design by Jared Grohs; lights by Scott R. Herbst; costume design by Beth Nistler; sound and video design by Mark Brodin, and the production stage manager was Daniel J. Herman.
(The 10th Anniversary production opened in June 2015 at the Plymouth Playhouse for a limited run.)
ORIGINAL CAST
Tim Drake as Pastor E. L. Gunderson
Janet Paone as Mrs. Lars (Vivian) Snustad
Greta Grosch as Mrs. Gilmer (Mavis) Gilmerson
Dorian Chalmers as Mrs. Elroy (Karin) Engelson
Ruthie Baker as Miss Signe Engelson
Kyle Nelson as Church Organist
10TH ANNIVERSARY CAST
Tim Drake as Pastor E. L. Gunderson
Janet Paone as Mrs. Lars (Vivian) Snustad
Greta Grosch as Mrs. Gilmer (Mavis) Gilmerson
Dorian Chalmers as Mrs. Elroy (Karin) Engelson
Tara Borman as Miss Signe Engelson
SYNOPSIS: CBL #1
1964-1968: (Beverly) Signe is away at the U in the Cities; Mavis is in menopause, and the Pastor has a “new” wife. The church hosts a Lutefisk dinner, a funeral, and a Hawaiian furnace fundraiser. Eventually Vivian hands over the kitchen to Karin by ceremoniously giving her a dishtowel. Signe gets married to Harry Hauge at the end of the play.
ACT ONE
Scene 1: December 1964: The Lutefisk Supper
Scene 2: February 1965: Willie’s Funeral
ACT 2:
Scene 1: Easter 1965: The Hawaiian Furnace Fundraiser
Scene 2: July 1968: Signe’s Wedding
CBL 1 SONG LIST
Closer to Heaven
The Pale Food Polka
Get Down to Business
Song For Willie
My Own Personal Island
Dead Spread
Closer to Heaven (reprise)
Get Down (Reprise)
The Cities
This is Most Certainly True
Sing a New Song
Mother of the Bride
For Good
Sing a New Song (reprise)