Theater group remembers Buxton
For the past six years, the Great Bend Tribune’s stories about Great Bend Community Theatre productions were written by Jerry Buxton, who died Feb. 5, just a few weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. This will be the first play in many years that will go on without his input.
"Great Bend Community Theatre is sorry about Jerry Buxton’s untimely death," Artistic Director Sally O’Connor said. "Not only did he cover the theater news for the Tribune, he acted in several shows and regularly ushered and worked box office. He was a great supporter of theater arts, and he will be missed."
Great Bend Community Theatre is ready to raise the curtain on its latest production, "The Long Weekend."
This clever comedy of manners brings together two couples, as Wynn and Max Trueman have invited Abby and Roger Nash for a visit to show off their new weekend home. However, their longtime friendship has not always been based on truth, said Sally O’Connor, GBCT manager/artistic director. Canadian playwright Norm Foster sticks to his strengths of writing good characters and hilarious one-liners as the friends lead one another down paths filled with surprises.
Performances will be at 8 p.m. this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and there will be a 2 p.m. matinee next Sunday, Feb. 27, all at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave. Tickets are $10, and the Crest ticket office will be open from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and one hour before each performance. The telephone number for the theater is 620-792-7378 (79CREST).
The play is directed by Chris Curtright and assisted by Angela Meitner. Great Bend newcomer Jill Fitzsimmons plays Abby Nash, with Doug Simmons from Great Bend in the role of her husband Roger Nash. Hoisington resident Jerry Renk plays Max Trueman, and Dyann Twitchell from Larned plays his wife Wynn.
O’Connor describes "The Long Weekend" as an adult comedy, with some language not suitable for young children.
