Courtesy Photo The cast of "Church Basement Ladies".

UPDATE: This show has been postponed until next weekend as a precautionary measure because of COVID-19 concerns.

For more information, call the box office at 989-354-3624.

ALPENA — Live theater is back, and so are the “Church Basement Ladies.”

Alpena Civic Theatre presents the musical comedy for the whole family, “Church Basement Ladies: Away in the Basement,” opening at 7:30 tonight, and running this and next weekend. Thursday through Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.

“This is our third one,” said Julie Meyers, who directed the first two “Church Basement Ladies” as well. “It’s been one of our best shows. People relate to it.”

Some of the original cast members are back, including David Usher, Carol Rundell and Donna Roussin.

“It’s hilarious, because they just get onstage and roll right back into the character,” Meyers said. “Donna Roussin, she just walks onstage and people are already laughing. People have this expectation of her to be funny, and she is just a hoot.”

Joining those seasoned players are Linda Suneson and Elsa Schultz, rounding out a talented cast.

“That girl can sing,” Meyers said of Schultz. “All the songs are very quirky and they’re lighthearted. And if you listen to the words, they’re hilarious.”

She said everyone knows or is related to a church basement lady, or they are one themselves.

“I think, at this time, people need to get out and see something that’s light,” Meyers said. “That’s funny. That the whole family can come to. And, it really is something that people in our community can relate to. Church basement ladies exist in every church in Northeast Michigan. These are the women that just take care of things around the church.”

A generational element comes into play, too, as the youngest character is 15.

“There’s the older woman who’s trying to keep things the same, and there’s a 15-year-old who’s trying to buck up against tradition and do things different, because, well, it is 1959, after all,” Meyers said.

“It’s heartfelt, it’s funny,” Meyers said. “It’s just a great show.”

Meyers is joined by Assistant Director Doreen Kriniak, who was her A.D. for the prior two “Church Basement Ladies” productions.

Others working behind the scenes include Stage Manager Judy Beyer, who was stage manager for the other two plays as well.

“She just knocks it out of the park,” Meyers said of Beyer. “She comes along with whatever we need, and sets stuff up, and she has her assistant, Diane Lozen, who just says ‘What do I need to do?’ and does it.”

Beyer and Lozen are responsible for every prop that comes and goes from the stage, which is no small task.

Scott Edgar is on lighting.

“Things just get done,” Meyers said of her seasoned, reliable crew.

Meyers added that every cast and crew member is thankful for their families, who have put up with them not being home for dinner for the last two months as they have prepared for this production.

Masks are required, as a precaution, due to the recent rise in COVID cases in our area.

Tickets are $15 per adult and $8 per student. Call the box office at 989-354-3624, at 401 River St., Alpena.