WARNING: This show does contain adult language and situations.

Time is such a nebulous date to wait for. A person is more than just who you see in front of you: they are the sum of every experience they have had, every person who has touched them and loved them, and the wisdom that comes from growing older. Ed Graczyk’s comedy-drama “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” essays the lives and friendships of a special group of women – breaking the laws of time and space to give us a glimpse of now - and then, sometimes at the same time.

The play, being presented at The Playhouse at McConnellstown, begins as “The Disciples of James Dean” meet up on the twentieth anniversary of his death and mull over their lives in the present and past, revealing the truth behind their intricate lives. During the course of their time together, buried secrets arise, conflicts boil over and morbid plot twists are revealed. The ladies’ congenial reminiscences continue to mingle with flash backs to their youth when the arrival of a stunning, but yet, familiar stranger sets off a series of confrontations that smash their delusions and expose bitter disappointments. WARNING: This show does contain adult language and situations.

The Broadway and screen versions were directed by Robert Altman, and starred Sandy Dennis, Cher, Mark Patton, Karen Black, Sudie Bond and Kathy Bates. Ed Graczyk originally wrote and directed “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” for the Players’ Theater in Columbus, Ohio, which also produced it. At the time of the Ohio production, he said of its development: “The inspiration for the play came many years ago during my five year association with the Midland Community Theatre in west Texas. While I was there I had the opportunity to visit Marfa, the site used by Warner Bros. in the filming of “Giant”. The only remaining evidence of the film was the facade of the mansion they used to film the on-location scenes, now crumbling and supported by six telephone poles. It was the memory of that site, the pace of the people and the vivid recollection of the ’50s idol James Dean on the youth of the period that resulted in the writing of this play”.

The cast features Shelby Metz and Gregory Allan Garlock of Petersburg, Mary Garvey, Emma Santos, Jeanne Nagurny, and Anita Burkhart of Huntingdon, Susan DeMetrick of State College, Erin Bark of Alexandria, Sara Holtzinger of Juniata College, and Meghan Whitesel of Mount Union. Lights and Sound in performance by Barbara Hughes, Setting Work by Don Dietz, Lighting design by Keith Sutton, Sound Design by Rick Brown. The performance is directed by Terry Ayers.

“Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean”, runs July 30, 31, Aug. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 at The Playhouse at McConnellstown. Curtain time is at 8pm except for the Sunday matinee when it is 2:30pm. Ticket prices are $10.00 for regular admission and $8.00 for any student or senior citizen age 60 or older. The Playhouse is located at 11680 Raystown Road (Rt. 26), five miles south of Huntingdon. For reservations and information call 814-627-0311 or log on to www.littletheater.com.