News Photo by Darby Hinkley “Church Basement Ladies: Away in the Basement” opens Wednesday at Alpena Civic Theatre. Pictured, from left, are Elsa Schultz as Beverly Engleson, Diane Lozen as Karin Engleson, Donna Roussin as Mavis Gilmerson, David Usher as Pastor Gunderson, and Linda Suneson as Vivian Snustaad. The musical comedy, directed by Julie Meyers, was rescheduled from December 2021, and is only running Wednesday through Sunday, July 31.

ALPENA — Get ready for Christmas in July.

After being canceled because of illness in December 2021, “Church Basement Ladies: Away in the Basement” is back on for five days only, starting on Wednesday, at Alpena Civic Theatre.

Since it was originally planned during the winter holiday season, the musical comedy has a Christmas theme, perfect for a hot July night.

“It was originally planned for right before Christmas, because, obviously, it’s a Christmas show,” said Director Julie Meyers. “We had some cast illnesses, and with such a small cast, you can’t just pick up. And so the board and the cast decided that we would cancel it, so we did. Then we sat down and said, ‘Well, we still need to do the show because it’s so good.’ We were able to come up with five days in a row, so here we are. Christmas in July.”

“Church Basement Ladies: Away in the Basement” is written by Greta Grosch, with music and lyrics by Drew Jansen. All the fun and shenanigans take place in the basement of a Lutheran church at Christmastime in 1959.

Audience members should come ready for a lot of belly laughs, but it might not hurt to pack a few tissues, as David Usher provides a touching solo performance in the second act. He plays Pastor Gunderson, who lost his wife two years ago, but is not sure if it’s appropriate to move on yet. The church basement ladies, of which Vivian Snustaad (Linda Suneson) is queen, have their opinions on whether Pastor Gunderson should pursue a certain lady, and he holds their opinions in high esteem. No one wants to ruffle Snustaad’s feathers, but under her rigid facade, a caring woman sometimes shows through, much to the other ladies’ surprise.

The funniest character is Mavis Gilmerson, perfectly played by Donna Roussin, offering comic relief and physical comedy at all the right times.

Then there are Karin and daughter Beverly Engleson, played by Diane Lozen and Elsa Schultz, respectively. The pair exhibit such great mother-daughter chemistry, it hardly seems like they’re acting.

Pianist Nick Stone provides the live accompaniment. Doreen Kriniak is the assistant director, and Judy Beyer is the stage manager. Jay Kettler is the lighting director, and Scott Edgar is the light booth operator. Meyers designed the set, and her husband Phil Meyers built it. The Meyers and Sue McConnell painted the set. Julie Meyers designed costumes. Jenny Marceau is the choreographer, and Shirley Cliburn is the hair designer. Bronwyn Woolman took all the cast photos. In the box office are Fran Hamp, Donna Reinke, Jackie Herbert, and Gerry Cawthra.

Julie Meyers said ACT has done two renditions of “Church Basement Ladies” before, thanks to Evelyn Hunter getting the rights years ago before she passed in December 2017.

“This is our third,” Julie Meyers said, adding that so far, six of the productions exist. “They keep popping up.”

“Church Basement Ladies” debuted at ACT in October 2013, followed by “Church Basement Ladies: A Second Helping” in October 2017.

She said anyone who grew up in our area knows, is related to, or is, a church basement lady.

“The local churches have church basement ladies,” Julie Meyers added. “People here relate to them.”

She said it’s just a fun show for everyone.

“It’s a nice respite from the world,” she said. “Everybody can come together and laugh at the same thing.”

Alpena Civic Theatre is located at 401 River St., Alpena. Tickets are $15 per adult and $8 per student. For tickets, call the box office at 989-354-3624. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.