Art Center Theater The Cemetery Club Coleman Auditorium Gualala Arts Center

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Fri.,   July 26, 7:00 p.m. Sat.,  July 27, 7:00 p.m. Sun., July 28, 2:00 p.m.matinée

Fri.,   August 2, 7:00 p.m. Sat.,  August 3, 7:00 p.m. Sun., August 4, 2:00 p.m.matinée

The Cemetery Club by Ivan Menchell, this summer's dramatic offering from Art Center Theater group, is a sweet story of three longtime friends who are all widows. They form a "cemetery club" in which they meet once a month to have tea and visit their dead husbands' graves. The three women, although close to each other, have very differing views of life, love and how one endures loss.

The Cemetery Club touches subjects both humorous and heartrending. The fast-paced, witty dialogue and zany action have made it a favorite of audiences for over two decades. Some reviewers have even called it "a Jewish Steel Magnolias."

The play features Lynne Atkins, Jane Simmonds, and Sabina Walla as the remaining members of a fabulous six-some whose male members all reside in the same cemetery in Queens, NY. Having shared momentous occasions throughout their married lives, sweet-tempered Ida, feisty Lucille and priggish Doris now meet once a month to visit their husbands' graves.

The Cemetery Club cast, left to right:
Lynne Atkins, Sabina Walla, Richard Knarr, Jane Simmonds, Ann Green

With comedic one-liners and heart-rending profundity they attempt to navigate the waters of life without their partners. Lucille is the embodiment of a girl who just wants to have fun, Ida is ready to explore the idea of a new life and Doris refuses to contemplate a life without her beloved. When Sam the widower butcher (played by Richard Knarr) enters the scene, it becomes apparent that some part of their journey will change, but just which part? Ann Green, in a particularly hilarious turn as Sam's date Mildred, rounds out the cast.

Directed by Kathye Hitt, The Cemetery Club promises entertainment, laughter and maybe a few tears. Mark your calendars and don't miss this sure-to-be crowd pleasing show. Performances are July 26, 27 and August 2, 3 at 7:00 p.m. and July 28 and August 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15 adults and $10 youth (17 and under); $5 additional if purchased the day of the performance. For advance ticket purchase, go to Brown Paper Tickets or call them at 800-838-3006. To purchase tickets in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.

Tune into "The Tide," KTDE 100.5 FM, on Wednesday, July 24 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 28 at 10 a.m. and listen to Fred Adler's Coastal Interviews. Fred will be interviewing Art Center Theater's founders and directors, Kathye Hitt and Lynne Atkins, about the upcoming ACT play, The Cemetery Club, and other matters related to theater.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.