Hays Community Theatre will present “The Shady Caper at Golden Acres,” an original two-act comedy written by HCT board member and Hays High School theatre director Bill Gasper.
The action of the play, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, and 2 p.m. on April 26, takes place in the retirement community of Golden Acres, where residents get tricked into a money-making scam dreamed up by the activities director and her inept boyfriend. In the end, they are caught, but not before a series of humorous twists and turns.
“It’s a fun play that I wrote quite a few years ago,” Gasper said. “When Hays Community Theatre expressed an interest in producing it, I pulled it off the shelf, reworked it, and presented it to a few people to read. It was met with positive reviews, so I’m excited to get the opportunity to present it.”
Cast members include Javier Alonzo, Claire Nickerson, Linda Becker, Jessica Morgan, Gene Stramel, Sarah Leiker, Codi Fenwick, Adam Conkey, Jerri Leiker, Jasmine Robles, Zachary Leiker, Brooke Leiker and Jerrett Leiker.
“We have a great cast who have done an excellent job with this material,” Gasper said. “I’m very thankful that all have agreed to act in a play that will be presented in front of an audience for the first time.
Gasper said David Morgan was originally cast to play the part of Mort but had to withdraw due to an illness late in the production schedule. As a result, Gasper will step in and fill the role.
“David was doing a great job and I’m sad he could not continue,” Gasper said. “He’s on the mend but he didn’t feel he could be performance-ready. It will be interesting to step on the stage after so many years of serving as director. Line memorization is definitely going to be nerve-wracking due to limited rehearsal time.”
Tickets to the performance, which will take place at 121 E. 8th Street, are available at www.hctks.com/events.