Hays Community Theatre to present ‘Just Desserts,’ variety show

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays Community Theatre is debuting its new space with a fundraising variety show and play, “Just Desserts.”

The performance will be at 7 p.m. Friday, April 6 in the community theatre’s new building at 121 E. Eighth St. Tickets are $10. They can be purchased online at www.hctks.com. If the performance has not been sold out, tickets will be available at the door. Admission includes dessert.

The performance will begin with a variety show, featuring such famous figures as Tom Jones, Sonny and Cher, Marilyn Monroe, and John Denver.

Cheryl Glassman, director, said she has tried to incorporate music into the variety show for people in their 20s to people in their 70s.

The variety show will last about 50 minutes with “Just Desserts” lasting another hour.

“Just Desserts” is a murder mystery surrounding a community bake-off. Mr. Cogsworth, a known hater of sweets, has been chosen to judge the local baking competition. Before he can render his decision, Cogsworth dies mysteriously.

Suspects include the three finalists in the bake-off, including Scooter Bright, a local manicurist; Edna May Carter, the cat lady; and Margaret Mason, the richest lady in town.

Glassman described the variety show and “Just Desserts” as audience interactive. Audience members will be seated at tables in the new theater, and actors will move among the audience during the performance. Miss Peabody, who is in charge of the bake-off, will solicit audience members’ help in solving the mystery. During intermission, audience members will be asked by the cast to find clues hidden in the theatre to solve the murder.

The community theatre’s new venue used to be the old Eagles Lodge. Glassman said theatre volunteers have been working hard on renovations, and most people will not recognize the new space. Money raised from the upcoming show will help offset renovation costs.

“Just Desserts” is showing one night only in Hays, but the cast will be reprising their show the following Saturday in Great Bend as a fundraiser for the Knights of Columbus.