Photo Flash: Church Basement Ladies' AWAY IN THE BASEMENT Plays Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Beg. 10/11

Those incomparable women are back at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre this fall, where the holiday season is in full swing for Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

The third installment in the enormously popular Church Basement Ladies musical comedy series and opening tonight, Oct. 11, Away in the Basement is set in 1959 on the day of the Sunday School Christmas Program. In the midst of holiday preparations and sprinklings of love in the air, the ladies in their witty, down-to-earth style are creating their own memories from Christmases past and present. Content to do things the way they have always been done yet pondering new ideas, the reality of everyday life hits home as they plan the Sunday School Christmas Program.

As the children rehearse up in the sanctuary, several of the ladies of the kitchen are finishing up the treat bags, while the others put the final touches on the Nativity. As they mend old bathrobe costumes, discuss the politics of who’s going to play the various roles, little do the ladies know what surprises are in store for them. Known for their hilarious antics and subtle charm, they are once again called upon to step in and save the day!

Returning from Beef & Boards’ original cast are Karen Pappas as the hilarious Mavis Gilmerson, Licia Watson as the matriarch Vivian Snustad, Katherine Proctor as Karin Engelson and Eddie Curry as Pastor E.L. Gunderson. Newcomer Hillary Smith joins the cast as the youngest character, Beverly Engleson. The production is directed by the show’s creator, Curt Wollan, and choreographed by Timmy Hays.

Away in the Basement is on stage through Nov. 25 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre for 56 performances. Tickets range from $37 to $60 and include Chef Odell Ward’s buffet, coffee, tea and lemonade. Discounts are available for children and groups of 20 or more. Call for details.

For reservations, call the Beef & Boards Box Office at 317.872.9664. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. For more information, including show schedule, visit www.beefandboards.com.