Rural Route Bookstore

Books about Farm Life, Small Town Life, the Midwest, and Scandinavian-Americans

Featuring the Heartwarming Humor of "Those Lutheran Ladies"

Church Basement Ladies is a musical comedy based on Martin and Nelson's writings.

It is a humorous reflection about growing up in an era before women wore pants to church and before men served in the church basement. Church Basement Ladies gives you heartfelt, hilarious insights into the lives of those who prepared and served at weddings, anniversaries, funerals and farm auctions.

Written by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke
Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen
Directed by Curt Wollan
Church Basement Ladies is produced by Troupe America.

Church Basement Ladies opened on September 8, 2005 at the famous Plymouth Playhouse and closed on March 2, 2008. The sequel, Church Basement Ladies 2, A Second Helping, opened on March 8, 2008. For information on dates and tickets for the Playhouse, go to Plymouth Playhouse.

Capital Theatre in the Overture Center Complex

201 State Street
Madison, WI 53703

Opens August 12, 2008 for a three week run.
William Christopher (Father Mulcahy from M*A*S*H*) appears in this production!

Timber Lake Playhouse    Aug. 13 - Aug. 24, 2008
8216 Black Oak Road
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
Presented by Troupe America, Inc.

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse       Sept. 10 - Sept. 27, 2008
Broadway in the Finger Lakes
17 William Street
Auburn, NY   13021
Presented by Troupe America, Inc.

Discussions are underway to also have Troupe America, Inc. bring Church Basement Ladies to Savannah, GA, and the Quad Cities. The sequel may come to the New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, KS. Stay tuned.

Hoyt Sherman Place - Des Moines, Iowa Sept. 25 - Oct. 5, 2008
1501 Woodland Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa

William Christopher (Father Mulcahy from M*A*S*H*) appears in this production!

Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre - Wichita, Kansas      Apr. 10 - June 15, 2008
3207 E. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67218

Due to popular demand, the Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre has added matinees.

Please call the box office if you have a group interested in seeing Church Basement Ladies and what date we can accommodate your group.

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts - Chicago, Illinois Sept. 16 - 27, 2008
An additional week may be added prior to Sept. 16, 2008.

9501 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Get group tickets (10 or more) at www.grouptheatretix.com or call 312 423-6612

William Christopher (Father Mulcahy from M*A*S*H*) appears in this production!

Church Basement Ladies opened at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids, MN in February 2005. Within months, after playing in several midwestern cities, it was based at Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth, MN, and a traveling cast also took the show on the road during the winter of 2006--2007. Church Basement Ladies closed March 2, 2008 at Plymouth, and the sequel opened a week later. Below are some photos and reviews of the Minnesota-based production of Church Basement Ladies.

"Those Lutheran Ladies," Janet Martin and Suzann Nelson (holding coffee pot), and Director/Producer Curt Wollan at a very Lutheran Opening Night Party at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Order by using the 'Place an Order' form or you may order by phone (800 494-9124). For payment and shipping charges, see 'Place an Order.'

All Caragana Press products are available at wholesale prices to qualified retailers, organizations, churches, schools, and libraries. Call 800 494-9124 for details.

Scandinavian-American and Rural Humor Books