CourtesyThe cast rehearses recently for the Carson Valley Community Theatre's production of "Come back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean." The play opens Friday at the CVIC Hall in Minden. Tickets can be purchased at carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.org or by calling 775-292-0939.
The Carson Valley Community Theatre's presentation of "Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean," by Ed Graczyk opens Friday.
The Broadway play premiered in 1976, and the movie came out six years later starring Cher, Sandy Dennis, Karen Black and Kathy Bates.
Director Margaret Edson was in the show in the '80s in Hawaii, and said it has been in the back of her mind since then.
"I thought it was such a poignant show dealing with everyday occurrences," she said. "The morals of society have not changed since this play was written 30 years ago."
The play flashes between 1955 and 1975. It is set in a rundown five-and-dime store in Texas where the "Disciples of James Dean" are gathering for the 20th anniversary of his death. Now middle-aged women, the disciples were teenagers when Dean filmed "Giant" in a nearby town. One of the women, an extra in the film, has a child whom she said was conceived with Dean during the shoot. In the play, the ladies' reminiscing mingles with flashbacks to their youth. The play ends with the arrival of a familiar stranger that sets off a series of confrontations that smash their delusions of happier times and bring to light many disappointments.
Edson said casting the double roles was a challenge.
"We had to cast the adults first, and then find teenagers that resembled them," she said.
Along with Edson, Carol Schwartz is production manager and Norris Edson is stage manager.
The show will be at the CVIC Hall in Minden, and run for two weekends.
Opening night is 7:30 p.m. Friday with a champagne and dessert gala after the show. Tickets cost $20.
Shows for May 14, 20 and 21 are at 7:30 p.m. and cost $15 and $12 seniors and students. A dinner and show package will also be offered for $48 for these nights only by Minden Food Company (formerly Barone and Reed Food Co.)
Matinees will be performed May 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $12 student and seniors.
Tickets can be purchased at the CVCT box office, online at carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.
org or by calling (775) 292-0939.