The Speers and District Memorial United Church held their annual dinner theatre March 29, 30, 31 and April 1 with full houses all three evenings and Sunday afternoon. This year was their 19th production. The first one was in 1993 when Rev. Kathy Murphy was the minister
The play this year was The Pie Ladies written by Sherry Piros. While the pie ladies are busy they decide to create their own country and also make some different pies, namely apple bourbon and chocolate rum as well as their standby pies, apple, lemon meringue and cherry.
Creating their own country caused a stir as Pastor Maywell, a reporter and the choir director hear them talking. The ladies wanted to create a country where they could live a simple life with the best of the past and the best of the future. One of the pie ladies threw a tin of flour at the policeman when he tried to arrest them for public endangerment. While in jail they wondered who would make the pies and where would they get money for their bail. With the help of their pastor and landlady they sort it all out and all ends well, but they learned their lesson.
After each performance there was a draw for a prize of a pie donated by A & M Bistro and Bakery of Hafford. The pie ladies in the cast were Colleen Wicks as Gladys, Gayle Wensley as Dulcie, Lisa Moore as Lucille, Nancy Roth as Velda, Shirley Combres as Kitty and Glynis Oliver as Nadine. Peter Derbawka was Pastor Maxwell, Karen MacNutt portrayed Irene, potential choir director and landlady, Elizabeth Smith was Sadie the news reporter, April Lafreniere was Ginger and Megan Ruedger was Dixie.
Linda Paulow was the show's director. At Sunday's performance, Colleen Wicks presented Linda with a bouquet of flowers from the cast and crew. A gift was given to Russ MacNutt for working the sound and music. Others in the crew were Ruth Foster, box office, Helen MacNutt and Elizabeth Smith, lights and Lisa and Gordon Moore, set directors.
A roast beef dinner was served before each performance prepared by the United Church members. The bottled water was provided by K. Bouling of Hafford.
