“Calendar Girls”

The cast has been set and tickets are on sale now for the Prairie Players Civic Theatre production of Calendar Girls, April 5 through 14 at Prairie Players Civic Theatre, 160 S. Seminary Street, Galesburg.

Based on the Miramax film by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth, Calendar Girls follows a group of women who persuade each other to pose for an “alternative” charity calendar. Overcoming their initial reserve, the friends drop their dressing gowns, their modesty spared only by artfully placed cakes, knitting, and flower arrangements. The women spark a global phenomenon and the attention of the media overwhelms their families and community, with the Calendar Girls finding themselves revealing more than they’d ever planned.

“Calendar Girls  is inspired by the true story of a group of women in Yorkshire, England,” says Director Anne Carman-Hendel. “The audience will find the story alternately funny and touching as these friends discover how strong and fragile the bonds of friendship can be.”

Amy Rutledge, Chris Curtis, Vera Fornander, Betsy Hippely, Eleanor Kahn, and Marilyn Van Ausdall will portray the calendar girls in the production. Members of their families and community will be played by Carole Buebe, Heather Norman, Bob Fornander, Greg Baker, Judy Taylor, Christian Kennedy, Joyce Robbins, and Scott Rasso.

Performances will be on Fridays, April 5 and 12, and Saturdays, April 6 and 13, at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances will be on Sundays, April 7 and 14, at 2 p.m. An additional performance has been scheduled for Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in anticipation of sell-out performances for the run of the show.

Calendar Girls contains adult content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and can be purchased online at prairieplayers.com or by calling 309-343-7728.

Calendar Girls is supported by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.