Starlighters announces cast of ‘The Kitchen Witches’


Starlighters Theatre announced the cast members for its upcoming comedy “Kitchen Witches.” Taking on the lead roles are Mary Sue Vernon as Isobel Lomax (left) and Nancy Collell as Dolly Biddle (right). Other characters include Dana Vaughn and Jayson Stover. The play debuts April 6-8 and 13-15. (Photo submitted)

     Starlighters II Theatre is proud to announce the cast of its upcoming production of “The Kitchen Witches” by Caroline Smith.

     Nancy Collell will be making her second Starlighters appearance as Dolly Biddle, a local access cooking show host with a flair for the dramatic. Collell is originally from Idaho and now lives in Anamosa. She last appeared on our stage as a caroler in the recent production of “Christmas Dreams.”

     Mary Sue Vernon, a well-known presence on the Starlighters stage, will play opposite Collell as the stylish and imperious Isobel Lomax. Vernon formerly taught biology at Anamosa High School. Now that she is retired, she has been devoting much of her time to acting, including recent appearances in Starlighters productions of “Inheritor” and “Gigi.”

     Dana Vaughn will be returning to the Starlighters stage in the role of Stephen Biddle, Dolly Biddle’s son and producer of his mother’s TV shows. Vaughn last performed at Starlighters in the 2015 production of “The Devil’s Disciple.” He is originally from Springville and currently resides in Cedar Rapids.

     Jayson Stover has been involved with too many Starlighters productions to count, both as a performer and as a techie. His upcoming performance as the sullen and mostly silent Rob the Camera Guy will showcase his talents in both areas, as his character will be responsible for placing props and maintaining the set in order to make this raucous cooking show run smoothly.

     The show will be directed by Diana Jones, also known to many in the Anamosa area Mrs. Jones, the second-grade teacher at St. Patrick Elementary School. Jones has appeared on stage many times at Starlighters and at the Coggon Opera House. This will be her directorial debut at Starlighters.

     “The Kitchen Witches” is the winner of the 2005 Samuel French Canadian Playwrights Contest. This hilarious comedy follows Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle as they attempt to host a local access cooking show together, despite the fact that they’ve been rivals since high school. The insults – and food – will fly as these two create a hit show that combines the best elements of Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer.

     “The Kitchen Witches” is produced with special arrangement by Samuel French.

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