Portland Civic Players Spring Production of “It Happened on Route 66” On Stage Now!

The Portland Civic Player’s spring play “It Happened on Route 66” is currently on stage as they continue to celebrate their 70th season! 

America’s most famous highway is the backdrop for this sweet comedy set in an Arizona diner in 1955. Wait a minute!! Did you know that’s the year that the Portland Civic Players started? Sally, played by Haven Miller, is a young, celebrity-obsessed waitress, and can’t wait for the wedding that day between glamorous movie star Lovey Lamour, played by Amber Miller, and crooner Johnny Jerome, played by Aaron Swan. So you can imagine Sally’s surprise when a mysterious customer turns out to be Lovey herself!

Lovey tells Sally that she fled the ceremony and was heading east on Route 66 when her Ferrari broke down. With the press hot on her trail, Lovey is forced to hide out at the diner until her car is fixed. But how can she possibly keep her identity a secret? Simple, Sally answers. Pose as a waitress!

Sally teaches the movie star everything she knows about waitressing, but their entire scheme threatens to unravel when a nosy news photographer discovers Lovey’s identity and tips Johnny off as to her location.

With a cast of hilarious characters including a short-tempered cook (Lydia Bowling), Sally’s geeky boyfriend (Emerson Dibean), an ever-hungry customer (Matt Thelen), the world’s worst auto mechanic (Rana Tekinel), and even Elvis Presley before he was famous (Nathaniel Barron), this affectionate tribute to the golden age of diners is guaranteed to warm your heart as it tickles your funny bone. Rounding out this spectacular cast is Tiffany Barron, Leon Miller, Pam Robinson, Kiara Campbell, Amy Sperry, Debbie Lundeen, Ella Hanses, Dan Braker, Jeremy Hoard, Kristi Dibean, Chuck Dibean, and Meryam Tekinel.

Tickets are $12 each with 2 performances remaining on March 22 at 7:30 PM and March 23 at 2:30. Tickets can be purchased online at www.portlandcivicplayers.com or by calling the box office at 517-647-4041. Box Office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

“It Happened on Route 66” is written by Todd Wallinger and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Colorado.