“The Hallelujah Girls” is a comedic play written by Jamie Wooten, Jessie Jones, and Nicholas Hope. The story is about a group of friends who meet at a day spa every week. After losing one of their close friends, the group decides to put in the work to achieve their dreams while hilarity ensues. The five friends are played by Linda Weiland, Jess Barkhaus, Joan Meyer, Mary Jo Laupp, and Heidi Nelson with the rest of the cast being filled out by Kari Horn, Jay Price, and Rex Daisy.

“Last year I did ‘The Sweet Delilah Swim Club’ from the same playwrights, and I really liked how they tell a story and how it’s really meaningful and feels true to life,” said Stephanie Coble-Day, the play’s director. “So I was looking for a similar show. This was actually recommended by a cast member of last year’s show and she’s in this year’s show. It was just appealing because of the subject matter. It’s true to life and it’s funny, which is appealing to a lot of people.”

When speaking with Coble-Day about what goes into running a production like this, she said, “Well, first is the casting. I think that one of the most important roles of the director is to cast the right people that will really bring those characters to life. So the audition part of the process is pretty important to me.

“So after it’s casted then we start working on blocking and staging and really helping the actors bring out the best in those characters by what they have to offer through their skills,” she added. “It’s just a lot of fun to spend time together in rehearsals. This is a really nice cast I get to work with. They really want to put on a good production. So that makes my job easy, when you’ve got a good cast, and they’re really committed to the show.”

-Photo by Laurie Mills
The cast and crew for Hawkeye Theatre's production of "The Hallelujah Girls," in back, from left, are: Linda Weiland, Joan Meyer, Stephanie Coble-Day, Mary Jo Laupp, Jess Barkhaus and Kari Horn. In front, from left, are Rex Daisy, Heidi Nelson and Jay Price.

Coble-Day said she is “hoping as a director to help the actors learn and grow their skills and learn and grow in their capacity.”

“So sometimes you’re putting them in parts that they maybe feel a little uncomfortable in, so they have to stretch themselves and you help support them through that,” she added. “Or you just encourage people that may not have the same amount of experience to let them realize that they are doing a really great job and build up their confidence so they understand they’re doing a good thing. So for me, it’s so many different areas to cover. Plus I’m really into design aspects. Making sure that the set and the props and the mood of the show really enhances the script, and I really like that. So let’s just do all of it.”

This year marks the 25th season at Hawkeye Community Theatre’s current location at 521 N. 12th St. When speaking a little about this milestone, Coble-Day said, “We’re really excited about the season.”

“Coming to community theater is such a great way to support the arts and we’re really blessed to have a really great art scene in Fort Dodge,” she added. “And we just encourage people, even if they’ve never seen a production, to come in and watch and you might really, really enjoy it. You might see yourself on stage or you might have some friends that are in the audience, but it’s a great way to support the arts and celebrate our 25th season of Hawkeye Community Theatre, in their current location. And just it’s a great way to laugh and maybe destress for a few hours from all the stressors of the world. So allow yourself to have some fun, laugh and enjoy seeing a production that’s been put on by a great group of volunteers and amateurs in Fort Dodge.”

The shows will begin at 7 p.m. each day with the dinners beginning at 6 p.m. on the days they are offered. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

-Photo by Laurie Mills
In this scene, Bunny is trying to take over the Sap-Dee-Dah. From left, are Jay Price, Linda Weiland, Heidi Nelson, Mary Jo Laupp, Jess Barkhaus, Kari Horn and Joan Meyer.

Tickets for the show alone are $10. Tickets for the dinner and the show are $37.

Meals are provided by Tea Thyme, of Fort Dodge.

If You Go

What: Hawkeye Community Theatre production of “The Hallelujah Girls.”

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Dinner served at 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Where: Hawkeye Community Theatre, 521 N. 12th St.

Cost: $10 for the show only, $37 for dinner and the show.

Meals: Provided by Tea Thyme.