Justice, and a homemade meal, will be served March 23, when local members of Soroptimist International of Hays present their 17th annual dinner theater production, “Big Bad.”

Running once only, the production will be Saturday, March 23 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the TMP-Marian cafeteria, 1701 Hall St., with a homemade spaghetti dinner, including desserts and drinks. The play, presented in the theater, will follow.

Starring the most notorious criminal in the fairy-tale world, Big Bad Wolf, the play is staged in a courtroom where the villain faces his motley collection of victims: The three little pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Grandmother Hood, and the shepherd in charge of the boy who called wolf.

With a cast of 14, several newcomers to the Soroptimists’ productions will join the seasoned cast of cut-ups.

In her debut Soroptimist performance, new member Sase Fleenor takes on the role of Sydney Grimm, news anchor for the Enchanted Forest. She attended last year’s Soroptimist production and said she was excited to participate this year.

“I am a makeup artist and learned that skill and acting back in high school, and it’s been an awesome reminder of my youth while working towards such a great benefit for the women and young girls in our community,” Fleenor said. ” I look forward to providing many more benefits to the community through this great civic organization.”

For Marie Froelich who portrays Grandmother Hood, the March 23 performance marks nearly two decades of being in the Soroptimist spotlight.

“This is my 17th year acting in the melodrama and I embrace the challenge every year to step out of my comfort zone and get silly on stage,” she said.  “I’m not looking for a new career, but I do enjoy interacting with the audience as well as getting to know more about my fellow club members.”

Somewhat of a departure from the local club’s annual melodrama productions, the play, nevertheless, will be an interactive experience for the audience. In fact, audience members will have a hand in determining the Big Bad Wolf’s fate.

Proceeds from the fundraising event will go to benefit educational scholarships for women, as well as local organizations and charities which benefit women and girls.

 

Tickets for the evening’s entertainment are $15 each and are available in advance at: Hays Welcome Center, 27th and Vine, Cerv’s Conoco & Convenience, 27th and Vine, Cerv’s West, 2722 Hall St., or by calling Marie Froelich at (785) 624-5140.