MONMOUTH – Monmouth Community Players will stage “Bus Stop,” by William Inge, March 25, 26, 27 and 28 at the newly renovated Cumston Hall. First performed in 1955, “Bus Stop” was made famous by the movie of the same name in which Marilyn Monroe made her dramatic debut. The stage version essentially picks up where the film leaves off.
The play takes place in a dingy street corner diner, which also serves as a bus stop for a small town about 30 miles west of Kansas City.
The proprietor of Grace’s Place, Grace Hoylard (played by Shirley Bernier of Lisbon Falls) is a 40-something woman with an apartment above the diner. A naïve, teenage waitress, Elma Duckworth (Jessica Thompson of Monmouth) spends her afternoons and weekends working for Grace.
One late night, they are expecting a bus when a fierce late-winter storm hits. The sheriff, Will Masters (Michael T. French of Hallowell) checks in with them and learns a bus is on its way. When it arrives, Cherie (Amy Kiser of Monmouth), a nightclub chanteuse, rushes in looking for a place to hide.
She claims to have been kidnapped by Bo Decker (Harry G. Neidig III of Lewiston), a 21-year-old, belligerent cowboy who plans to marry her when they reach his ranch in Montana. His ranch hand, Virgil Blessing (John McCue of Wayne) tries to convince Bo that he may be going about this romance the wrong way. The only other passenger on the bus, Dr. Gerald Lyman (Andrews Tolman of Readfield), a former professor, spends the night flirting with Elma, while the bus driver, Carl (Ray Siegler of Lisbon Falls) and Grace discover the friendship they both desire. The snowstorm traps them all inside the diner for the night, making for both funny and touching moments at the bus stop.
“Bus Stop” is directed by Kathleen Nation, artistic director of the troupe, and produced by Tori Lee Jackson. Making up the production crew are Coleman Nation, stage manager; Anya Rice, house manager; Ann Fairchild, costumes; Rich Howard, props; and Greg French, lighting; ACAT, set design.
Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 25, 26 and 27, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28. People may reserve tickets by calling 582-5717; or by e-mailing tickets@monmouth-communityplayers.org.
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