River City Players present 'Nuts, Bolts and Carnations'

The River City Players, Cape Girardeau's longtime community theater group, will present its last show of the 2013 season, "Nuts, Bolts and Carnations," Thursday through Sunday at Port Cape Girardeau.

Debbie Barnhouse, director of the play and president of the River City Players' board of directors, said the central theme of "Nuts, Bolts and Carnations" is love, but it also presents life experiences to which many people will empathize.

"It's a three-act comedy," Barnhouse said, "but its story also drew me to it. It's about men, women, marriage and also grown kids, things that more than a few audience members will be able to relate to."

Barnhouse said "Nuts, Bolts and Carnations" begins innocently enough when Esther Jablonski decides to send carnations to an auto shop where her mechanic husband, Cliff, works.

"It's a meeting of the manly nuts and bolts and the female carnations," she said. "Let the fun begin."

According to Barnhouse, the Jablonskis are an everyday couple with a married daughter, Georgia, and daughter-in-law, Margaret, who was married to the Jablonski's deceased son, Billy.

"Margaret lives next-door to Cliff and Esther and is still part of their lives," she said. "Their daughter Georgia is married to Al Blalock, who runs a bowling alley."

Melissa Wade, who portrays Georgia, said her character is a bit naive even though she is in her mid-20s.

"Her parents are still a big part of Georgia's life," Wade said. "The cord hasn't been cut."

Wade said Cliff and Esther also have issues with Georgia's husband, Al.

"Al tolerates Cliff and Esther," she said. "But they feel that Georgia could've done better."

Even with minor intrafamily feuding, "Nuts, Bolts and Carnations" is a pleasant comedy to watch unfold, Barnhouse said.

"New thematic topics are presented with each act," she said. "Death is a topic, and there are phone calls from God during the play and also the sounds of a heavenly choir. It may be that some women, and maybe even some men, will have tears in their eyes."

Barnhouse said the effort put in by the cast and crew of "Nuts, Bolts and Carnations" has been amazing.

"A lot of work has gone into it," she said. "We'd like for everyone to come and see what the nonprofessional talent in Cape Girardeau can do. It's a great comedy to watch with something for everybody."

"Nuts, Bolts and Carnations" starts Thursday at Port Cape Girardeau, with a dessert bar opening at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m. priced at $20. On Friday and Saturday, the dinner buffet will begin at 7 p.m. with the show at 8 p.m. for $35. On Sunday, a dessert bar will open at 1:30 p.m. with the matinee show at 2 p.m. for $20.

To book reservations for "Nuts, Bolts and Carnations," call Port Cape Girardeau at 334-0954.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: 19 N. Water St., Cape Girardeau, MO