New drama and old classics among stage productions

The premiere of a new, locally written drama along with three musicals and two old classics are on this week's lineup of stage productions in the region.

"MIASMA," an expanded, fully staged version of a short play first written by Eric Samuelsen two years ago as part of Plan-B Theatre Company's 24-hour SLAM project, has its world premiere from Friday through Sept. 24 in the Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway (300 South).

It's being directed by Adrianne Moore.

The script's original title — "The Butcher, the Beggar and the Bedtime Buddy" — was pulled out of a hat at the beginning of Plan-B's experiment in writing and producing five short plays in a 24-hour period. Samuelsen's original play had three characters — rancher-turned-beef producer Ben; Eliza, his paramour, and Claire, his daughter, who visits periodically to beg for money on behalf of her siblings.

For the expanded version, Samuelsen is adding a fourth character — Jorge, Ben's foreman, who is Hispanic and gay.

The play now touches on such topical issues as illegal immigration and the responsibility that U.S. business owners play in that.

The cast of "Miasma" includes Ron Frederickson as Ben, April Fossen as Claire, Joe Debevc as Jorge and Christina Thurmond in multiple roles.

Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre of the Rose Wagner Center. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students (ArtTix outlets, 355-2787 or www.planbtheatrecompany.org).

"PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES," the 1982 Tony-nominated musical that began as a cabaret act in a New York City restaurant, opens the Grand Theatre's 2006-07 season, playing from Friday through Sept. 23.

Directed by Toni Byrd, the cast includes Erica Hansen and Camille Van Wagoner as those sassy Cupp Sisters, who operate the Double Cupp Diner, and David Evanoff, Gar Ashby, Gordon Ottley and Adam Overacker as the Pump Boys at the gas station across the street.

The setting is a remote stretch of Highway 57 in North Carolina, between Frog Level and Smyrna. There's not much traffic, leaving plenty of time for nearly 20 songs, including "The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine" and "Be Good or Be Gone."