Count yourself lucky if you were one of the patrons at The Greene County Players’ latest production at Festival Hall. Tasties, Toddies and Theatrics captured the attention and imagination of the community. “What is it?” was the recurring question. “Why, delicious food, favorite beverages, cabaret singing and a Neil Simon play,” came the answer in a nutshell. Artistic Director John Copelan wanted to produce something unique; something that he hoped would resonate with the community. And resonate it did.

Each of the three evenings kicked off with Tasties, inspired heavy hors d’oeuvres prepped by the skillful hands of caterer Cindy Shultz and her team. Patrons wanting more after first plates were not disappointed when later in the evening they were treated to Cindy’s decadent truffles.

The small plates were accompanied with wonderful Toddies from the bar. Local hairstylists, Jeff McClelland and Jim Hunley put down their dryers and brushes and picked up corkscrews and swizzle sticks. The fun of interacting with the patrons gave a new dimension to their volunteer work. Jim said, “I am just happy to be affiliated with the Greene County Players in any capacity.”

Before the truffles, the Theatrics began with the delicious music of Broadway sung by Lake Oconee’s own shining stars and famed celebrities, Jeffrey Well and Gene Yaws. The headliners shared the stage with local talent John Cawthon, Thelma Collins, Leah Dukes, Debbie McCown, Mary-Katherine and Jeremy Skidmore. These fine vocalists enchanted the audience with their interpretations of songs that theater goers love to hear time and again. A GCP supporter Jo Francour exclaimed with a smile, “Broadway has come to Greensboro!”

Concluding the evening’s theatrics, actors John Copelan (Roy Hubley) and Cindy Helms (Norma Hubley) brought to the stage “The Man from Forest Hills”, the third act of Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite”. Audience members were reminded of their own children’s wedding day as a full-blown crisis tests the patience of a penny-pinching father and a stressed-out mother. Broken arms, pigeon poop and a ripped tuxedo add hilarity to the couple’s meltdown.

Summing up the evening, St. Louis transplants Bob and Janie Legg expressed it this way, “The evening was a wonderful combination of professionalism and down home Greene County hospitality. The Greene County Players are certainly a fantastic asset to our community.” Judging by the reaction of the audience, this format is a keeper.

Tasties, Toddies and Theatrics turned out to be a sure cure for the summer time blues.

Happily, community theater fans do not have to wait long for the next Greene County Player production. Mark your calendars now for Oct. 24, when “First Baptist at Ivy Gap”, a poignant comedy set during WWII and the Vietnam Era will begin its four-day run. Laughter will abound, but you may want to bring a hanky along.