“A Bad Year for Tomatoes” promises to entertain

What happens when famous TV star Myra Marlow leases a house in the tiny town of Beaver Haven

Cast members of “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” take a break from rehearsal. Pictured are (l-r, on stairs and landing) Tom Cuthbert, Sheriff; Stephen Raschke, Tom; Cindy Raschke, Myra; (in doorway, back; l-r); Gretchen Reveille, Sheriff; Richard Stroh, Piney; (front, l-r) Dianna Trautman, Reba; Charlotte Smith, Willa; and Joanna Hurst, Cora.

Cast members of “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” take a break from rehearsal. Pictured are (l-r, on stairs and landing) Tom Cuthbert, Sheriff; Stephen Raschke, Tom; Cindy Raschke, Myra; (in doorway, back; l-r); Gretchen Reveille, Sheriff; Richard Stroh, Piney; (front, l-r) Dianna Trautman, Reba; Charlotte Smith, Willa; and Joanna Hurst, Cora.

What happens when famous TV star Myra Marlow leases a house in the tiny town of Beaver Haven and settles down to write her autobiography?

That’s the thesis behind “A Bad Year for Tomatoes,” the inaugural production of the new Clearwater Theatre Collective.

In the play by John Patrick, Marlow is successful in turning aside the offers pressed on her by her long-time agent, but dealing with her nosy, omnipresent neighbors is a different matter.

Hilarity ensures over misunderstandings and an endless rumor mill involving a turkey, a scissor-happy crazy sister, a manure smelling backwoods woodchuck, a witch who reads nail clippings, a snake, Brother Leviticus and the local sheriff.

“A Bad Year for Tomatoes” will be presented in the Pit at Clearwater Secondary School on April 20 and 21 and 7 p.m. and April 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

 

Clearwater Times