Events happen 'Accidentally On Purpose' in play

Story and photo by Josh Kendrix

Appeal-Democrat

With the speed at which life moves in the modern era, few take the time to take an objective look at their lives.

But when a series of calamities strand a group of people at an Oregon diner, those people take a moment to look at their lives and their faith in "Accidentally On Purpose."

This is the premise behind the play, an original production by the Creative Light Theater in Yuba City. The play runs today, Friday, Sunday and Monday.

"Accidentally On Purpose" is a "zesty musical comedy," according to the play's director and co-writer, Leslie Greenetz. "You'll have a good laugh (at it)," she said.

The play opens two days prior to Christmas. A series of storms, mudslides and other natural disasters strand 17 strangers at a small, out of the way diner on a coastal road in Oregon. Some are locals while others are travelers.

Unfortunately for them, the power also goes out and none of their cell phones work. "They're stuck there, and they're forced to deal with all their problems and the issues in their lives," Greenetz said. "It's time for them to face the music."

Helping them to face that music are their guardian angels, who oversee what happens in the diner and gather to discuss their findings. "Sometimes, we see them battered because of what the people they're watching are doing," Greenetz said.

Ultimately, all the characters discover the play's fundamental message: "It's about taking stock of what's important in life, and that we're not alone," according to Greenetz. "God loves us and cares about us."

Greenetz wrote the script with Nathaniel Abney, Willena and Elisabeth Brooks, Nina Fochs and Renee Marquez. "We wrote it as a team," she said. "It started out as a total comedy, but then we changed it to a comedy of unfortunate events."

The cast of "Accidentally On Purpose" includes, as the locals, Willena Brooks, Mike Dressel, Isaac Farrar, Beth Ward, Elisabeth Brooks, Brad Balcom, Tevia Brooks, Johnny Daughterty and Bittles Harmon; the stranded travelers include Donni Siller, Hank Sanchez, Tom Easton, Mike Bohman, Brittney Zearfoss, Tori Brooks, Sam Waters and Renee Marquez.

"We want people to laugh, but get a dose of reality," Greenetz said.

"Accidentally On Purpose"

Times: 7 p.m. today, Friday, Sunday and Monday

Where: Church of Glad Tidings, Highway 99 and Eager Road, Yuba City

Tickets: $5 to $10. Call 671-3160.