About the Show

America’s most famous highway is the backdrop for this sweet comedy set in an Arizona diner in 1955. Sally, a young, celebrity-obsessed waitress, can’t wait for the wedding that day between glamorous movie star Lovey Lamour and crooner Johnny Jerome. 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, Sally’s geeky boyfriend, an ever-hungry customer, the world’s worst auto mechanic, and even Elvis Presley before he was famous, this affectionate tribute to the golden age of diners is guaranteed to warm your heart as it tickles your funny bone.

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

Scene
Cookie’s Diner on Route 66
Arizona, USA | The year 1955

Route 66, also known as US Highway 66, existed from 1926 to its formal decommissioning in 1985. It symbolized American individualism, travel, and the freedom of the open road during the rise of America’s automobile culture. The entire route was paved with concrete by 1938, connecting Chicago to Los Angeles via the nation’s first all-weather road. Route 66 was part of the nation’s first Federal highway system, cobbled together from existing local, State, and national roads.

 

CAST

Cookie: Lydia Bowling
Freda: Tiffany Barron
Sally: Haven Miller
Lovey Lamour: Amber Miller
Roscoe: Emerson Dibean
Babs: Rana Tekinel
Earl: Leon Miller
Gladys: Pam Robinson
Violet: Kiara Campbell
Twyla: Amy Sperry
Delores: Debbie Lundeen
Judy: Ella Hanses
Max: Dan Braker
Johnny Jerome: Aaron Swan
Otis: Matt Thelen
Elvis: Nathaniel Barron
Harold: Chuck Dibean
Audrey: Kristi Dibean
Cindy: Maryem Tekinel
Gary: Jeremy Hoard

PRODUCTION CREW

Director: Erin Hoard
Assistant Director: Antonius Watkins
Producer: Mary Teachout
Costumes: Shelly Pung
Lights: Joe Pung
Sound: Jeremy Hoard
Properties: Laurie Reeves, Kelly Frazee
Set Construction: Chad Teachout, James Morrison, Jeremy Teachout, Laurie Reeves, Nicole Morrison, Kelly Frazee, Audrey Frazee, Jeremy Hoard, Erin Hoard, Antonius Watkins, Leon Miller
Set  Decoration: Erin Hoard, Mary Teachout, Laurie Reeves, Kelly Frazee, Audrey Frazee, Amy Sperry, Ella Hanses, Kiara Campbelll, Leon Miller, Jeremy Hoard
Box Office: Laurie Thelen, Mary Teachout, Laurie Reeves
Program: Mary Teachout
Publicity: Gruner Graphics, LLC, Mary Teachout
Website: Gruner Graphics, LLC

 

Lydia Bowling: Lydia Bowling is extremely excited to be returning to the stage to perform as grumpy ol’ Cookie. Theater has been an important part of Lydia’s life since she was a child. From 2010-2012, Lydia was actively engaged in Grand Rapids community theater. In her young adult years, her favorite roles were Winnie Foster in Cornerstone University’s Tuck Everlasting, Guinevere in Magic Circle Theater’s Robin Hood, and Judy in Civic Theater’s Night of the Living Dead. Lydia’s most recent theater performances with PCP have been Grimhilde in Disney’s Descendants and Mary Debenham in Murder on the Orient Express. She would like to dedicate her performance to her biggest, little hero, her daughter Harper. I Love You! xoxo

Dan Braker: Dan Braker returns to PCP having previously played King Beast in Descendants, Monsieur Bouc in Murder on the Orient Express, and the Wolf in Shrek. He has also performed many shows with Thornapple Players, The Revue, and Master Arts Theater. When not on stage, he enjoys cooking, eating, and the Green Bay Packers. He is thankful that his awesome wife encourages him to follow his folly.

Kiara Campbell: will be playing Violet, a sassy 10 year old, in our production! Kiara is a sophomore at Portland High School and this is her 9th overall stage production. Kiara is also involved in the theatre community at the high school as well as the summer theater program here at PCP. She enjoys the summer program because it is where her love first formed for acting. Kiara has been in the program for almost 8 years and loves teaching younger actors. When she is not acting, she enjoys sleeping, longboarding, horseback riding, and hanging out with friends. Kiara’s favorite productions that she has been in are The Little Mermaid, Murder on the 518, and WCKY. Kiara plans on going to college for musical theater and acting. She would like to give a big thank you to the Portland Civic Players for giving her the opportunity to be a part of this show as well as allowing her to continue to grow on stage. Kiara would also like to thank her friends and family for their support and love.

Emerson Dibean: Emerson is pleased to be portraying Roscoe in this production. This is his 2nd spring production with the Civic Players, and his 18th overall stage production, having most recently played Jay in the Civic Players’ production of Disney’s Descendants. He currently works in Tech Support at Farm Bureau and attends LCC. When not at work or the theater, Emerson enjoys watching and reviewing films, practicing his design skills, video editing (often filming and editing productions for the Civic Players) and spending time with friends. He is grateful for the many opportunities he has had to grow as an actor, from Summer Theater and the High School Drama program, to the HCAT Theatre Intensive in Greenville. He would like to thank the Civic Players organization for the continued opportunity to participate in stage productions beyond school, and he’d like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support.

Ella Hanses: Ella is a freshman at Portland High School and this is her 2^nd production with the Civic Players. Ella is also involved with the High School drama program. This is her 4^th overall production.  Her first production was The Little Mermaid at the High School followed by the summer theater production of King Arthur playing Queen Igraine. This year she is in Anastasia as well as Route 66.  In her free time, she enjoys sleeping, hanging out with friends, and singing. She’s super excited to be involved and would like to thank everybody on the cast and crew for being so amazing!

Erin Hoard: Erin is returning to PCP with her second show as a director. She directed Descendants in the fall of 2024 and has been enjoying the non-musical side of theater. She has been on stage in PCP’s 1776, The Art of Dining, Shrek, Guys and Dolls, and Murder On the Orient Express as well as Greenville’s The Addams Family. She currently serves on the theater board as Vice President and lives in Carson City.

Debbie Lundeen: Debbie Lundeen (Delores) lives in Ovid with her handsome husband Eric Kasten and their two mostly angelic felines Mmasera and Dante. For fun, Debbie loves to hike, cross country ski, and stand-up paddle board. Debbie has an Associate’s degree in Performing Arts from LCC. She recently appeared in a short film, The Detective’s Son. She has performed in numerous plays, a few of her favorites are The Realistic Joneses, Leaving Iowa, Marvin’s Room, and 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche. Debbie also has started back up her theatre group: The Montassassins. The group performs music and comedy skits for nursing homes. The residents love it. Debbie has a new love of writing comedy skits and is having one of her skits performed live at the Hannah Center in East Lansing with the group AAF. This is Debbie’s first performance at Portland Civic Players and she’s so thankful to be a part of this play. She can’t believe how talented and down to earth her fellow actors, director, assistant director, costumer, and crew are. Thank you for including me into your wonderful theatre family!

Amber  Miller: Amber is from Freeport, MI. Amber caught the theater bug in high school and went on to graduate from GVSU with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Theater. Since then, she has performed with various theater companies around the greater Grand Rapids area and has performed in over 25 different shows. This is her sixth show with the Portland Civic Players. You may recognize her from past Portland shows such as Queen Belle from Descendants, Greta from Murder on the Orient Express, Adelaide from Guys and Dolls, Ellen from The Art of Dining, and the Sugar Plum Fairy from Shrek. When she is not rehearsing for a show, she enjoys singing, art, embroidery, reading, hanging out with her boyfriend Aaron and their bird, Egg, and playing DND with her friends.

Haven Miller: Haven is super excited to be playing Sally as she’s a super upbeat and fun character. This is her third show with PCP and she says she loves it here. (We love having her here!) Everyone is so nice and fun to be around here. She loves the continued support from her family as she partakes in shows. Her favorite show was definitely playing Sister Amnesia in Nuncrackers. She’s directed two shows and found her love for performing on the stage again with PCP. A big thanks to everyone with PCP who puts in so much work to make this such a special place.

Shelly Pung: Shelly has been creating costumes for the Portland Civic Players for more than 10 years. Her favorite aspect of theater is witnessing the incredible transformation of actors into their characters as soon as they don their costumes. In the last 20 years that Shelly has lived in Portland, the theater has become a family affair with all three of her children and husband taking part in various productions. When she’s not at the sewing machine creating costumes, you can find her in her studio, passionately working on various arts and crafts projects or in her yard enjoying her pond and garden.

Pam Robinson: Pam lives in Portland with her husband, Saint Bernard, and Border Collie. She has three children and six grandchildren. Pam enjoys walking, television, and theatre. She has been involved with Community Theater for 30 years. Her favorite roles were Vita in Harvey and Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz. Pam is a member of the Portland Historical Society and has represented Portland’s Historical members in the annual cemetery walk. Her most recent portrayal was of LuLu Divine. Pam enjoys acting because it gives insight into other people’s lives, their struggles, and tears.

Amy Sperry: Amy Sperry is excited to join the cast as Twyla. This is her second play with the PCP following her role as Toni in The Art of Dining. She is a mom of two boys, Ben and Tyler.  She is thankful for all their continued support towards her passion for acting.

Aaron Swan: Aaron was born and raised in Stanton, but has also hopped around between Kentucky and Florida. He finally decided to settle down here in Portland a few years ago and found his place in the PCP family as Lord Farquaad in Shrek (2022). He’s been on stage in a more musical capacity since high school and has done quite a few shows with Portland, the most recent as Professor Maurice in Disney’s Descendants. He loves making videos, playing music and working on various other projects in his spare time. Aaron has the pleasure of playing the crooner Johnny Jerome and would like to thank his friends and family for always supporting him and sticking around for him.

Rana Tekinel: Rana’s dream has always been to act, ever since she was little. This is her sixth show with PCP. She’s currently a junior at Michigan Connections Academy. She’s had an amazing time being a part of this show, she loves working with everyone. The cast is so nice and accepting, it’s truly been a wonderful experience! In her spare time, she enjoys playing games with her younger siblings. Special thank you to the cast, crew, and wonderful Erin and Antonious for this production.

Special Thanks!

The cast and crew would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their support throughout this production:

PFCU

Sierra Homes

Duff, Chadwick and Assoc.

Gruner Graphics, LLC

Tom Fryover

Content and Effects Warning

There are no warnings for this production. 

Meet our Sponsors

The Portland Civic Players would like to say a special thank you to this season’s sponsors.  We could not provide what we do to the community without them.  Their sponsorship and support of the arts in our community is essential for us to continue to provide quality, affordable entertainment.

 

 

 

Would you like to be a sponsor for our season?  Check out all the details here!

In Memoriam

We dedicate this production of It Happened on Route 66 to Bob Showerman. Bob had been a staple on our stage for as long as we can remember. We will always remember his booming, beautiful voice on stage and his big sense of humor and even bigger smile and hugs. Every cast got excited when we knew Bob was in the audience. His appreciation for a spot on harmony or a well-timed joke was something we always looked forward to. This show is for him.  We will miss him!

……………………………….

It is with grateful hearts and warm affection we remember that little group of talented men and women who had a dream of performing live theatre in Portland over 60 years ago. We also remember those who helped keep the dream alive. Because of their dedication to that dream, we pause for a moment to think of those who worked so hard to establish a firm foundation that has lasted to this very day.

Listed here (in alphabetical order) are those who have passed. They represent steadfast devotion to the Portland Civic Players in every way. We truly hope that all have been remembered here. 

Bob Showerman

Richard & Betty Anesi 

Dale Barnard Denise (Frye) Bandfield 

Tom & Marilyn Bandfield

Rex Bennett 

Ruth Callihan

Tom & Marie Cook

William & Anne Eddy 

Olive Fitzpatrick 

George & Pearle Frye 

Shirley Habegger

William J. Hill 

Winfield & Lora Hubbell 

Mel & Fram Huhn 

Vada Hummel 

Tom & Pauline Jordan

Alvin & Catherine Kelly 

William & Jennie Koster

Dr. Martin J. Kozachik 

Alan Lazette

Barbara W. Longstreth 

Herb & Verena Miller 

Cree Peake 

David and Ruth Ann Peake

Lillian Phillips 

Brenda Pung 

Chris Rainey 

Adam Reeves 

Floyd Rice, Jr. 

Joe & Caroline (Snooks) Rich 

Donald Rogers 

Margaret Schrauben

Marilyn Shaw 

Laban & Marge Smith 

Tony & Catherine Snitgen

Mary Lou Tannery

Richard & Sydell Teachout 

Particia Thelen 

Tommy & Martha (Bea) Thompson 

Marvin & Mary Thrasher 

Jerry Tiemann 

Jim Trierweiler

Willa Utterback

Sally VanPoperin

Don Webert 

David & Brenda Whitaker