For the City Times

Out of the basement shall come a church basement program of good tidings, great humor, and joy.

On Dec. 15,  Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas will be presented at the Performing Arts Center, located at 1801 16^th St. South, in Wisconsin Rapids. The 7:30 p.m. performance is the third show for 2016-17, 40^th anniversary season of the Arts Council of South Wood County.

Slide back in time to 1959 and the day of the Sunday school Christmas program. In the midst of holiday preparations and sprinklings of love in the air, the ladies, in their witty, down-to-earth style, are creating their own memories from Christmases past and present.

Content to do things the way they have always been done, yet pondering new ideas, the reality of everyday life hits home as they plan the Christmas program. The children rehearse in the sanctuary, as several of the ladies of the kitchen finish up the treat bags filled with apples, peanuts, and ribbon candy, while the others put the final touches on the nativity pieces.

As they mend old bathrobe costumes and discuss the politics of who’s going to play the various roles, little do they know what surprises are in store for them. Known for their hilarious antics and subtle charm, they are once again called upon to step in and save the day.

Away in the Basement is the third installment in a highly successful production of the musical comedy, Church Basement Ladies. All three installments are inspired by the books of author/humorists Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, including the bestseller Growing Up Lutheran.

Appropriate for all age levels, this show provides the perfect “whole family” experience this Christmas season.

Tickets are $36 dollars, and are available at the Arts Council, 1040 8^th Street South, Suite 101, Wisconsin Rapids, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. You may also call 715.424.2787 or order online at www.SavorTheArts.org.

Local sponsors of this performance include Aspirus and the Gloria Nate Memorial.