Starlighters Theatre announced 2018 season

     Starlighters II Theatre in Anamosa announced the four productions set for its 2018 season.

     Since 1974, Starlighters has brought quality live theater to Jones County. They strive to bring a mix of plays and musicals, dramas and comedies every year.

     “The Kitchen Witches” by Caroline Smith is set for performances on April 6-8 and 13-15. Auditions will be Jan. 29-31.

     This play was the winner of the 2005 Samuel French Canadian Playwrights Contest. It’s an hilarious comedy that 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 Miss Firecracker Contest” by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley will hit the stage June 22-24 and 29-July 1. Auditions will be April 16-18.

     This play takes place in the summer and tells the story of a small-town beauty queen trying to save her tarnished reputation and leave town in a blaze of glory by winning the Miss Firecracker Contest. When her beautiful cousin and estranged older brother return to town, situations become more complicated in this dramatic comedy. Join the eclectic cast of characters as they attempt to escape their pasts and find acceptance.

     Ernest Thompson’s “On Golden Pond” was made into a movie in 1981, starring Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, and Katharine Hepburn. Now, the play comes to Starlighters Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 5-7. Auditions will be July 30-31 and Aug. 8.

     This perennial favorite is a celebration of love, family, and hope. It explores the relationship of Norman and Ethel Thaylor as they return to their summer cabin and receive a visit from their adult daughter. When she drops off her fiancé’s13-year-old son, the older couple begins to bond with him and explore what their marriage means to them in their twilight years.

     Starlighters’ holiday show for 2018 will be “She Loves Me.” The book is by Joe Masteroff, with the play by Miklos Laszlo. This show will debut Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-2 and 7-9. Auditions will be Sept. 17-19.

     Georg and Amalia are two co-workers who can’t seem to stand each other, despite the fact that they’ve unwittingly fallen in love through a lonely-hearts club. As the two exchange letters, the identity of their pen pals eventually becomes known, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

     This play is based on the same material as the 1998 hit movie “You’ve Got Mail” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It was recently produced on Broadway by Roundabout Theatre.

     For more information about Starlighters II Theatre and how to purchase tickets for any show, visit www.starlighters.org.