Submitted

“Welcome to Mitford” is a heartwarming play by Robert Inman about ordinary people and their ordinary lives.  Focusing on the highlights of the first nine installments of Jan Karon’s best-selling Mitford Years book series, the stage version centers around the endearing character of Father Tim Kavanagh (Brien Lewis), the much-loved bachelor rector of Lord’s Chapel church in the close-knit mountain community of Mitford; a town filled with eccentric characters, each more quirky than the next.

Surrounded by long-time friends and parishioners including church secretary Emma (Eve Phillips), housekeeper Puny (Felicia Newton), local mayor Esther (Jean Kadela), Father Tim is absorbed with the life of his town and the pastoring of his lively congregation.  But, when he decides to take in an unruly-orphaned teenager named Dooley Barlow (Owen Teague) and begins to fall for his new next-door neighbor, Cynthia Coppersmith (Kathleen Tronsor), Father Tim finds himself agonizing over questions about his worth, his work and his future.

PPT’s production of Welcome To Mitford, which opens at the Meroney Theater on January 28th, is filled with the mysteries and miracles that make everyday life worth living, and that make Mitford one of the most memorable small towns in modern literature.   Director Reid Leonard has compiled an all-star cast of characters including the offbeat regulars of the Main Street Grill; elderly heiress Miss Sadie Baxter (Athelene Carter), jokester Uncle Billy (Gary Thornburg) and his nutty wife, Miss Rose (Staley Nance), who likes to direct traffic wearing a military trench coat and rubber boots.

Jan Karon says she writes “to give readers an extended family, and to applaud the extraordinary beauty of ordinary people living ordinary lives.”   One thing is for sure…life in “the small town with the big heart” that millions of readers call home is rarely quiet…and absolutely never boring!

Welcome To Mitford, underwritten by Garraty’s Cleaning Service, plays at the Meroney Theater Jan. 28-30 & Feb 3-6 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee Jan. 31 at 2:30 p.m.  Ticket Prices: Adults $15, students/sdeniors $12. For tickets call 704-633-5471 or purchase online at PiedmontPlayers.com.

Meet The Cast

Father Tim, Brien Lewis • Cynthia Coopersmith, Kathleen Tronsor • Dooley Barlow, Owen Teague • Emma Garrett, Eve Phillips • Puny Bradshaw, Felicia Newton • Esther Cunningham, Jean Kadela • Rose Watson, Staley Nance • Russell Jacks, Bob Floyd • Sadie Baxter, Athelene Carter • Percy Mosely, Bill Bucher • Velma Mosely, Lori Van Wallandael • JC Hogan, David Kolb • Uncle Billy Watson, Gary Thornburg • Mule Skinner, Nick Bishop • Hoppy Harper, Nathan Prater • Stuart Cullen, Shawn Van Wallendael • Walter Kavanaugh, Kevin Maldanado • Principal/Headmaster, Corinne Mauldin • Laura Johnson, Tamara Nifong • Campers Laura Bullock, Molly Bourque, Tanner Groppi,Kevin Maldanado • Townspeople, Sandra Roakes, Gayla Bucher, Barrie Kirby, Hannah Kirby, Tamara Nifong • Stage Manager, Pam Allyn