NORFOLK: A cross-country bus is stranded at a small Kansas town’s diner because of a late winter blizzard.  Bus Stop by William Inge is the story of eight people forced to spend the night waiting for the roads to reopen.

Bus Stop is the next production of Norfolk Community Theatre in cooperation with Northeast Community College Theatre.  It is a story of loneliness and the search for love told with both tenderness and humor.

John Skogstoe is making his directorial debut with his daughter, Aline, as the production manager.  The ensemble cast includes Miranda Hammerback as Cherie; Patrick Brown is Bo Derek; Jerome Wemhoff plays Virgil Blessing; Tyler Wieseler is Dr. Lyman, Carl, the bus driver is played by Dakota Vlotho; Tyler Schwedhelm is Will, the sheriff; Sarah Lutjens plays Elma Duckworth and Maria Olnes is Grace Hoylard, the diner’s owner.

Many people recognize the play’s name because Marilyn Monroe played the role of Cherie in the 1956 film.    The play is different because it doesn’t feature one character.  Skogstoe said “this play is packed with funny, romantic, and dramatic moments as these characters, many of them strangers, spend the night together.  The play is set in the 1950’s but the human needs and emotions are timeless.”  Skogstoe said he loves the fact that all of the characters are important to the story and each one changes as a result of the night’s events.

Bus Stop performances are December 5-7 and 12-14 at 7:30 pm with senior discounts available on Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 pm.  All shows are in the Cox Activities Center on the Northeast Community College campus.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.  At the Sunday matinee, seniors, 60 and over, will receive a discount rate of $12.  The show is free to Northeast students and staff with a valid ID.

The Norfolk Community Theatre is working to restore the Grand Theatre in downtown Norfolk to its glory years.  When renovated, the building will have two performance spaces and will be available for public and private events in addition to community theatre productions.

Norfolk Community Theatre encourages advance reservations to prevent lines at the box office.  You may reserve your seat atwww.nctheatre.org or by calling 402-844-7360.  You may also find additional information on future productions, the Grand Theatre project, and more at the website.