After the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to pause their productions in 2020 and 2021, The Silsbee Little Theater returns for its spring dinner theater, “Love Rides, the Rails, or Will the Mail Train Run Tonight?”
Celebrating 50 years, production dates are April 14-15, April 28-29, and May 5-6, May 12-13. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at silsbeelittletheater.com or at the theater, 106 North 6th St.
According to Richard Atmar, there are very few people in Silsbee who may recall the original production of the current play 50 years ago.
“The Silsbee Little Theater and its Board of Directors saw fit to bring it back as a recognition of the contribution so many have made to the production of live theater in this community,” said Atmar. “Those making the production hope to pay some part of the debt they owe the community by recognizing not just individuals who were in the original, but by dedicating each performance to a different Silsbee Little Theater member who has helped the organization reach this historic moment.”
The play centers around the evil plans of a thoroughly rotten villain, Simon Darkway (played by Byron Atmar), to bankrupt the Caneyhead, Kountze, and Silsbee Railroad and steal its mail franchise while discrediting its general manager, Truman Pendennis (Andy McCall), and forcing his fiance, Prudence Hopewell (Courtney Coward), to abandon Truman and marry Simon in order to save her widowed mother from poverty.
Audience members are invited to hiss the villain, cheer the hero, and generally enjoy themselves.
Other cast members are Bubba “Basel” Cassidy, Holly Church, Rockford Coward, Ruthanne Cassidy, Celeste Whitlock Atmar, Barri Hoffman, Keith Owens, Matt Morones, Curt Woodard and Gabriel Coward.