The Florentine Players 60th Annual Melodrama: Ticket to Ride or Heard Her on the Florient Express

The Florentine Players, a local nonprofit community theater group, will premiere its 60th annual melodrama, “Ticket to Ride or Heard Her on the Florient Express,” on Thursday, May 1.

This original production, written by longtime Florentine Players Derek Kowal, David Frolio, Eric Green and Luke McGuire, is set during the Great Depression. A vaudeville troupe struggling to find work seizes an opportunity to perform aboard a train bound for Chicago. The troupe finds everyone on the train a bit on edge—a notorious gangster is on board, headed to Chicago to stand trial for his crimes.

There are six performances of “Ticket to Ride” at Florence City Hall, 2864 State Street:
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday; May 1-3
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday; May 8-10

Each performance begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m., allowing the audience to enjoy live music by the Bertrand Banjo Band and purchase snacks and drinks before the show.

Reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased via Florentineplayers.com or by calling the reservation line at (402) 455-6341 and paying at the door day of. Proceeds from the melodrama fund the preservation of Florence’s historic buildings and future community theater productions.