The cast has been announced for The Ritz Players' July production, "Messiah on the Frigidaire" by John Culbertson.
In the story, residents of small-town Elroy, S.C., are thrust into the evangelical spotlight when what seems to be the image of Jesus appears on a refrigerator in a trailer park. The discovery by Lou Ann Hightower, her husband, Dwayne, and her best friend, Betsy, sets into motion a frenzy of conflict, communion and good, old-fashioned commerce.
Mandy Wolber and Jason Jerisha, both of Findlay, are to portray the Hightowers, and Ashley Hushour of Chatfield is cast as Lou Ann's friend, Betsy.
When the National Investigator turns the appearance into front-page headlines, the Hightowers' trailer park attracts miracle seekers, soul searchers and disciples with a decidedly political agenda.
At the urging of the town's business leaders, Betsy pretends to get messages from the appliance-based apparition - and the crowds multiply like loaves and fishes.
Rick Frederick, as the Rev. Cecil Hodges, is called in to observe the phenomenon.
Supporting cast members are Dale DePew, Vanessa Cook, Jackson Cook and Bob Dougherty, all of Tiffin.
Through the ordeal, the three friends undergo an evolution in their relationships with each other, and they are forced to come to grips with their lowly status in the caste system of the rural South.
In a region where religion is as much a part of life as grits and cotton fields, God surely moves in mysterious ways through this play.
Directed by Nancy Betz, the comedy is to be staged at 7:30 p.m. July 13, 14 and 21 and 2 p.m. July 22.
Crew members include Jennifer Payne, Sandy Kimmel, Kyle Hammer and Gabby Mitchell.
Tickets are on sale now at $11 for adults and $7 for students.
For more information, stop at The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin, visit www.ritztheatre.org or call (419) 448-3844.
