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Photos by Dan Tubbs

The Ferndale Repertory Theatre brings to the stage the classic comedy by one of America's most skilled and respected playwrights, William Inge. Performances begin January 26 with a Preview; all tickets for the Preview performance only are $10. The Gala Opening is Friday, January 27 and is a benefit performance for Fortuna Sunrise Rotary. In conjunction with the opening at 6:30 is a reception for the artists featured in the Art From The Hart Gallery. Thursday, February 16, is the Actor's Benefit Night, where all proceeds go to the hard working cast and crew. Ticket prices are $12 general admission and $10 student/senior. For information and reservations, call (707) 786-5483.

Bus Stop tells the story of the coming of age of Bo Decker. Bo, a cowboy with a large ranch in Montana, has been in Kansas City for the rodeo at the stockyards. He meets Cherie, a young dancer at the Blue Dragon Club, and "instantly" falls in love with her and practically kidnaps her on the bus heading west to Montana against Cherie's will. When the bus gets stranded overnight at the bus stop/restaurant of Grace's Diner because the highway is snowed in and all the phone lines are down, the odd collection of characters have to remain overnight.

Inge found the remarkable in the ordinary and provided authentic reflections on midwestern life. He considered Bus Stop "a composite picture of varying kinds of love, ranging from the innocent to the tainted." All of the characters grasp hungrily for the love that can vitalize and give meaning to their lives.

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Director, Gene Cole, has cast some outstanding Humboldt County actors: Nathan Pierce is Bo Decker, and William Cose plays his sidekick, Virgil. Cheri, a nightclub chanteuse, is played by Theresa Ireland; Grace, the bus stop owner, is Gloria Montgomery, and Elma, Grace's waitress, is Christen Whisenhunt. Dr. Lyman, a passenger, is Jerry Nusbaum, Josh Kelly plays Will, the sheriff, and Albert Martinez is Carl, the bus driver. Production designers are Daniel L. Lawrence (set, lights), Denise Ryles (costumes), and Gabriel Groom (sound). Stage management is in Donna Zuckerman's capable hands.

Inge brings to the theatre a kind of warm-hearted compassion, creative vigor, freshness of approach and appreciation of average humanity that can be wonderfully touching and stimulating. For tickets and information, please call (707) 786-5483.