Authors/humorists Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, the creators of the best-selling book Growing Up Lutheran and a host of other humorous writings, joined forces with Twin Cities based production company Troupe America, Inc. and its executive producer, Curt Wollan, to turn their material into the musical comedy, Church Basement Ladies.

It was a love affair in the making originally inspired by a conversation with Wollan’s in-laws suggesting that he talk with Martin and Nelson about the idea of turning their material into a musical comedy. Wollan wanted to create a show that celebrated the women who work so hard with such dedication in the church kitchen whether they be Lutheran, Methodist, Jewish, or Catholic.

Wollan commissioned creative writing team Jim Stowell, one of Minnesota’s favorite storytellers, and Jessica Zuehlke, a performance arts educator and also the daughter of a real-life church basement lady, to develop the book. This duo collaborated with composer/ songwriter Drew Jansen, well-known for his creation of the music for the popular hit musical, How To Talk Minnesotan: The Musical.

In Church Basement Ladies, you will meet the pastor, three main kitchen cooks and one daughter who run the kitchen and care for the congregation by preparing and serving the food. And just like any great kitchen, problems are solved here, as well. We see the four women handle a Lutefisk Dinner, a funeral, an Easter Fundraiser, and, of course, a wedding. They stave off potential disasters, have fun, share and debate recipes, instruct the young, and keep the pastor on due course. This musical comedy based on recipes, food, and change in the church is funny, heartwarming, and down to earth.

Church Basement Ladies is directed by the Temple Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, Peggy Taphorn, who also stars in the show, alongside Temple vets Shirley Proctor (Always a Bridesmaid), Jeanne Koonce (Anything Goes), Kathy Day (The Addams Family), Theresa McGuirk (Doubt), and Gus Allen (Doubt).

Church Basement Ladies runs at the Temple Theatre from March 8 – 25, 2018. Showtimes in each of those three weeks are Thursdays at 2pm, Fridays at 2pm & 7:30pm, Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm.  To purchase tickets, call the Temple Box Office at (919) 774-4155 or visit templeshows.com.