The Catskill Community Players, a Community Theater Company in their 44th season, will present “The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby”, a heartwarming comedy, on April 5, 6, and 7 at the Worcester Wieting Theater, in conjunction with a dinner at the Worcester Inn. The production will be directed by Nancy Bondurant-Couch, and is produced by Diana Friedell and Raphael Sason with sets by Raphael Sason and Abbey Koutnik.
The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby is a beautifully written story about one small town, five big-hearted people, and a big fish. Written by award-winning Canadian playwright Norm Foster, this quirky, funny, and heartwarming comedy comes complete with romance, broken hearts, and the hunt for the elusive catfish named Hollis McCauley.
Uptight investment banker James Bell (played by Scott West) is on his way to present a very important speech when his car breaks down in the wilderness town of Kooshog Lake. Finding himself stranded with little to do, he is lured into participating in the annual fishing derby, which offers a prize of $92,000 to the angler who can catch Hollis McCauley, the legendary catfish named for its resemblance to the local high school shop teacher! Soon James realizes that he is the fish out of water, and we follow this city boy as he is bewildered and beguiled by the people he meets. Lissa Sidoli plays Sienna, the owner of the town’s only store; Dr. Ben Friedell plays Kirk Douglas, the owner of the town’s garage and bait & tackle shop; Abbey Koutnik plays Rhonda, the flirty hotel owner; and Caitlin Liberati plays Melanie Morningside. James gets a crash course in fishing, but the real lessons he learns are about life. There’s laughter all through this charming and funny fish story, a story that’s filled with real people and real heart.
Performances are at 8pm on Friday & Saturday, April 5 & 6, 2019; and on Sunday, April 7th there is a 2pm matinee. Tickets are $18, and $15 for Students & Seniors. There is a special Dinner Theater rate when you reserve Dinner & Play Tickets at the Worcester Inn, (across the street from the Wieting Theater) of $42 and $39 for Seniors. Reserve Dinner and Show by calling the Worcester Inn at (607)397-8500.
Sunday’s dinner is served AFTER the matinee. Coming from out of town? The Worcester Inn is discounting an overnight stay for theatergoers! For those not attending the dinner, tickets may be obtained online at www.catskillplayers.org (see the “buy tickets” link above), or at the door of the Wieting Theater starting one hour before performance time.