ORWIGSBURG - This week, county residents will have the chance to see a popular musical based on a book by Pottsville native John O'Hara.
Actors from the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts are presenting "Pal Joey" on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Schuykill Country Club, Orwigsburg. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. followed by the show. Tickets are $45.
Members of the cast were practicing their lines Sunday at the country club.
"Are you OK?" director Lucille Fala-Brennan asked Jeremiah James after his character, Joey Evans, was "punched" in the stomach by another character.
"I'm fine," James said.
About 17 people are in the play.
As is typical of a director, Fala-Brennan was instructing the actors about how to improve their performance.
"You're in the mood. Feel the mood," she said to James as he was rehearsing a scene with Cassidy-Rose Munley, 17, of Saint Clair, who plays Linda English.
The director said she had a surprise in store for the audience.
"I'm changing the ending. Don't roll over in your grave John O'Hara," she said.
Chelsea Lucas, 20, of Pottsville, plays Gladys Bumps.
Lucas said she auditioned for the part and is enjoying the time preparing for the role.
"She's very sassy. She knows her way around. She's very confident and intelligent,' she said of her character.
Rehearsals were held about three days a week at LA Dance Studio, Saint Clair, and at the Strawberry Playhouse in Tuscarora, Lucas said.
Tim Zaspel, 27, of Pottsville, is playing Ludlow Lowell, a con-artist, he said.
Zaspel said he auditioned because he likes to act.
Fala-Brennan said the audience will have a good time attending the play.
"Hopefully the women will enjoy the ending," she said.
For more information, call 570-622-0360.