HAYS, Kan. -- From fundraisers to funerals, Christmas dinners to summer weddings, authors and humorists Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, the creators of the best-selling book "Growing Up Lutheran" and a host of other humorous writings, have joined forces with Twin Cities-based production company Troupe America Inc. to turn their material into a new musical comedy, "Church Basement Ladies."

Fort Hays State University's Special Events Committee will present this celebration of the women who work hard and with dedication in the church kitchen whether they be Lutheran, Methodist, Jewish or Catholic at 2 p.m. on Jan. 31, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall.

"Church Basement Ladies," a celebration of the church basement kitchen and women who work there, features four distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the food and the problems of a rural Minnesota church.

From the elderly matriarch of the kitchen to the young bride-to-be learning the proper order of things, the book and music gives a touching, funny look a their lives as they handle a record-breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter fundraiser, and a steaming hot July wedding.

They stave off potential disasters, share and debate recipes, instruct the young and keep the pastor on course while thoroughly enjoying (and tolerating) each other. Audiences will recognize these funny and down to earth ladies as they begin to see the year unfold from below the house of God.

Tickets are available at the Student Service Center in the Memorial Union, (785)628-5306. Reserved seats are $20 for the public, $18 for senior citizens and children under 18 and $16 for FHSU students. Unreserved seats are $16 for the public, $14 for senior citizens and children under 18 and $12 for FHSU students.

For more information, contact Carol Brock at cbrock@fhsu.edu or (785)628-5801.

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