‘Three in a Bed’ to open at Theatre Museum this weekend

Laughter can be heard from outside the building of the Theatre Museum on the Old Threshers grounds as the summer theatre play cast of 'Three in a Bed” gears up for opening weekend.

Director Peggy Crew said she has done about a dozen shows and looks forward to them every year. She first got started when a friend asked her to read for a part. She was unable to participate that year but returned the next year to try again.

From then on, she was hooked and has been returning to act and direct ever since. Being in the director's chair, she said, is fun because it allows her a different perspective.

'There's so much stuff you can make sure comes alive,” she said.

Crew said the show is fun for the whole family and guarantees people will laugh all the way through. She said the plot of the show revolves around a newly wed couple. Johnnie and Barbara Tilton. Barbara wants to go out and dance but Johnnie wants her to stay home. A revolving cast of characters come through, making for a night full of laughter.

'You'll just laugh until the end,” she said.

Crew was originally going to be in the show, but was unable to and instead cast her daughter, Melissa Kessler, of Iowa City, to take over. Kessler has been involved in several shows at the theater and said this was 'second nature” for her to step in.

Her favorite part of the show is during bows, when the cast has an opportunity to look out into the audience and see the joy on their faces. She said seeing so many people have fun and enjoy their hard work is what makes it worth it for her.

'(I enjoy) just seeing the smiles on their faces and the joy that we brought them throughout the show,” she said. (Knowing) all of the fun we have on stage, holding back our laughter, is bringing the laughter out in the crowd.”

Kayleigh Septer, who plays Barbara Tilton in the show, said people can expect lots of laughter and familiar faces in the show. One of the things that makes community theater so special, she said is the way it is inclusive to all members of the community.

'It gives people a chance to see shows they've never seen before,” said. 'It's faces you know and it's people you know.”

Ashley Hobbs, who plays Velma Versdale, said the camaraderie between the cast and crew is her favorite part of the show. She said there are no nerves for her when she gets on stage because she knows the cast has her back with 'support from behind the curtain.”

David Forerester, who plays the Sheriff, agreed, saying he has found his niche with community theater and the family it creates. Being part of his eighth show, he said, offers an exciting opportunity to have fun on stage and make new friends as well.

'We're a very close knit group,” he said.

'Three in a Bed” will play at the Theatre Museum July 26 and 27 and Aug. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 at 2: 30 p.m. The show will play again during the Old Threshers Reunion Aug. 29, 30, 31 and Sept. 1. Tickets can be purchased at the door at by calling ahead at: 319-385-8937 or 319-385-9432. The Theatre museum is located at 405 E. Threshers Road in Mt. Pleasant.