'Opal is a Diamond' raises timely social, political questions

Friday, October 13, 2017
JeriLynn Karr, clockwise from center, Tim Miller, Morgan Coady, Mark Carman, Jim Pleinis and Bryce Osterman wait for Opal Kronkie’s new television set to come on so they can see her star in a political commercial for Mayor Bissel.
Bruce Crosby/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Can someone hatch an egg in her bosom?

Could an unqualified “dissenter’s dream” candidate be elected on the strength of wisdom like “two crows don’t make a summer”?

“Opal is a Diamond” answers those questions — or maybe not — during upcoming Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre dinner and dessert shows at the Bieroc Cafe.

Morgan Coady plays lead Opal Kronkie and JeriLynn Karr chicken-obsessed Rosie in a mature comedy with conclusions like there’s nothing wrong with a husband treating his wife like man’s best friend.

“If more husbands treated their wives like dogs, maybe more wives would wag their tails for their husbands.”

Ladd Wendelin plays the detestable Mayor “Whistle for Bissel” Bissel, and Greg Hoffman and Ashley Hiatt deliver a couple of uncomfortably-long make-out scenes as political operatives, Bob and Mary.

A successful candidate requires a “good speechwriter, a good makeup artist, and a good head start,” Bob observes.

Thanks to his political, law enforcement and legal connections, Bissel is assured re-election “unless he’s caught in bed with a live man or a dead woman.”

Jim Pleinis as Miguel, Bryce Osterman as Tony, Tim Miller as Chuck and Louie and Mark Carman as Nick and Ole, provide comic relief as beer-drinking buddies, television technicians and burglars as the plot demands.

The show is dedicated to the late Randy Andrews and Nancy Haller-Towne, popular SWNCTA performers.

Veteran SWNCTA pro’s pitching in to make the production a success include director Don Harpst assisted by Char Froman, costumes by Alice Harpst and Sheryl Havens, makeup by Pam Messinger, set by Chuck and Dian Trail and Greg Hepp, sound by Russ and Sue Ankersen, sound effects by Char Froman, lights by Chuck Trail, props by Ivy Stritt, desktop publishing and photography by Emily Karr and production arrangements by Kathy Latta.

Dinner shows are 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 and Thursday, Oct. 19, and dessert shows at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. Tickets are available at Sehnert’s Bakery/Bieroc Cafe.

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