Church Ladies play back for sequel at WILLow LeaVes

It has been a long wait, but fans of the hit Broadway musical “Church Basement Ladies” can finally partake in a second helping with the opening of “Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping” this weekend at 7 p.m. Friday at WILLow LeaVes of Hope.

The nearly two-hour long production features the return of fans’ favorite Lutheran ladies and Pastor E.L. Gunderson, played by Trevor DeWitt.
DeWitt, a Jeffersonville resident, says working with this cast has been wonderful.

“Everybody is perfect for their roles,” he says. “And it is coming together. It is going to be a hilarious and touching play.”

In this sequel the stage is set in the volatile late 1960s into the early 1970s when times were certainly changing. This time around, the ladies tackle issues of the everyday against a backdrop of Vietnam protests and the advent of changing gender roles.

Columbus resident Cheryl Baker portrays Karin, the mother of Signe.

Baker describes Karin as the stereotypical mom of the late 1960s. As a woman who grew up with Rosie the Riveter flexing her muscle to inspire women to take charge and do their part in the war effort, Karin opted for a road less commonly traveled.

Although she attended Bible College, Karin departed early from her studies for holy matrimony, which it would seem she laments, Baker says.

“I think Karin has a little bit of regret,” Baker says. “And when her daughter is old enough to marry, I think she hopes her daughter might have the opportunities to do things she didn’t get to.”

Falicia Whited reprises her role as Karin’s daughter, Signe, who now goes by Beverly.

“In the script the way they explain it is Signe is her middle name and she was going by that name until she gets married,” Whited says. “Now that she is a married woman she decides she should go back to her first name of Beverly.”

Whited says her character is more mature this time around, especially as she is now a married woman.

“I like this story line and the songs better,” Whited admits. “I just feel like it is a more relatable story, not that the first one wasn’t, but we are talking about a woman who just got married and is going to be a mother. We are dealing with all the life stuff that can happen in this one, so I like this one a lot.”

Of course, to balance the gossipy, talkity goings-ons amongst the ladies in the basement kitchen is Pastor Gunderson. Whited says what DeWitt brings to his role is… well, priceless and comedicly stealthy.

“He is a very good balance for a lot of us, actually,” she says. “Trevor is a silent laugh attack where you don’t see it coming. That conveys well with the pastor who keeps things moving, leveled and balanced in a fun way.”

The play’s producer and director, Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle, is reprising her role as the nosy, town crier Mavis.

Blunt in her delivery at times, Mavis still very much offers many moments of levity, Pyle says.

When Actors’ Studio of Hope first received licensing to offer the original “Church Basement Ladies” a few years ago, the show was very well received, Pyle recalls. The play sold out for every showing and drew an overall crowd of more than 900 people through WILLow LeaVes’ doors.

And Pyle is ready for a repeat performance.

Given how COVID has thrown a ‘wet blanket’ on everything, Pyle says she feels like people are ready for some good times for a change. And a second helping of the church ladies delivers.

“I hope people walk out with warm fuzzies because it is not like ‘Steel Magnolias’ where you will laugh and cry,” Pyle says. “This one is a heartwarming, belief in God, funny musical. I don’t know any other way to describe it. You will get a nice meal and laugh your hind end off.”

Those who attend the play but haven’t seen the first installment need not be concerned, Pyle says, because the sequel does a fantastic job of catching everyone up without seeming redundant.

If anything, the play offers a glimpse into what happens when life happens and how we respond, Baker says.

“Honestly, it is about the ups and downs of life, and we all have them,” Baker says. “Life will always throw you a curveball, but if you have faith, family and friends you can get through this life. And that’s really the best nugget of the whole show right there -- Hold tight to your faith, stick close to family and friends and we will ride this wild ride of life together and we can get through it.”

Just as his character is a man of few words, DeWitt’s succinct hope for the success of this production is simple.

“I hope that everyone can come and enjoy the fun and fellowship of our second helping of Church Basement Ladies,” he says.