The opportunity arose Wednesday night to preview the musical "Paint Your Wagon" being produced by Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre Association. Since Wednesday was also "American Idol" elimination night, the temptation was to stay at home and root for my favorite "idol." I can whole-heartedly announce that I am very happy I resisted that temptation.

This musical may not be your typical SWNCTA production. It may raise a few eyebrows at times. The storyline deals with a California gold-mining boomtown, Rumson, and the trials and frustrations of the various characters that populate the town. Especially the frustrations. Rumson has a population of 400, and all but one of them are male.

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As with any good musical, it is also a love story. Jennifer Rumson, the 16-year-old daughter of the town's founder, falls in love with Julio Valveras, a handsome young miner forced to live and work outside of town because he is Mexican. Jacob Woodling, a Mormon man with two wives, Sarah and Elizabeth, arrives in Rumson, and the frustrated miners demand that he sell one of the wives. Surprisingly, Elizabeth enthusiastically volunteers.

Moving beyond some of the risqué themes, SWNCTA's production of "Paint Your Wagon" is witty, entertaining, and worth every penny of the $10 admission price. What is truly remarkable is how Director Don Harpst, Assistant Director Nathan McCarty, and Music Director Kathy Latta can transform local bankers, ministers, retired judges, and insurance representatives into truly professional quality actors and musicians. The "community" in Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre is outstanding. The cast of 21 men and 11 women (one of which plays a man) is also supported by the instrumental talents of Marie Coffey (piano), Jean Sehnert (clavinova), Marilyn Goodenberger (keyboard), Darrin Karr (bass) and Russ Ankersen (drums).

There are a lot of new faces in this year's production including Mike Gapp who plays Ben Rumson, Megan Gerk who plays Jennifer, and Doug Ohlson who plays Julio. They do an outstanding job in the lead roles. Jeri Lynn Karr, who plays the disgruntled second wife of Mormon Jacob Woodling, is hilarious.

But the real stars of the show are the prospectors. The ragtag group of crusty young and old men are believable, right down to the mud on their boots.

Their musical and theatrical performances are upbeat, and keep the audience involved. Special attention should be paid to prospectors Jeremy Blomstedt and Ethan Poore. They were excellent.

The production is the culmination of many hours of devotation from the cast and crew. The costumes, the set, the props . . . all are possible because someone (or many people) volunteered their time to continue SWNCTA's reputation for quality productions. "Paint Your Wagon" is no exception.

You don't have to take my word for it. A clip of the musical is available here: http://www.mccookgazette.com/gallery/paintwagon/

You can see a brief preview of the production there, but it will in no way compare to the live performance. Tickets are $7 for children 12 and under and $10 for adults.

They are available at Hershbergers and Janssen-Kool Honda. Performances are at McCook High School Auditorium Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

David Hernandez was voted off "American Idol." That was the right choice.

But, stealing a line from Simon Cowell, SWNCTA's production of Paint Your Wagon, was "ab-so-lute-ly …….tremendous!"