Ringgold natives headline “Bus Stop” at Dalton State College opening Nov. 15

Dalton State College will open its fall production of William Inge’s “Bus Stop” for a four-performance run beginning Nov. 15 with a cast that features three actors from Ringgold.

The romantic comedy set in 1950s Kansas City is being produced by the Dalton State College Department of Communication and Theatre, and directed by professor Kim Correll.

“The cast features eight very talented Dalton State students,” Correll said.

Performances will take place Nov. 15-18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodroe Auditorium located on Dalton State’s campus inside Memorial Hall.

Play synopsis

“Bus Stop” is set in the middle of a howling snowstorm while a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner. All roads are blocked, and four or five weary travelers are going to have to hole up until morning. Cherie, a nightclub chanteuse, is the passenger with the most to worry about. She’s been pursued, made love to and finally kidnapped by a twenty-one-year-old cowboy with a ranch of his own and the romantic methods of an unusually headstrong bull. The belligerent cowhand is right behind her, ready to sling her over his shoulder and carry her, alive and kicking, all the way to Montana. As a counterpoint to the main romance, the proprietor of the cafe and the bus driver at last find time to develop a friendship of their own; a middleage scholar comes to terms with himself; and a young girl who works in the cafe also gets her first taste of romance. This piece brings the audience an appreciation of average humanity with a great deal of truthfulness and compassion.

Correll says her cast and crew have worked diligently through the semester to tell this classic tale.

“I am extremely proud of this amazing cast,” Correll said. “There are several freshmen who are making their debut at Dalton State, and there are also a few familiar faces audiences may have seen in past productions. All of them have worked extremely hard to bring these beautiful characters to life.”

The cast includes Ringgold natives Madison Hammons, Jake Baker, and Daniel Wittenberg, along with Adrian Thompson, Katie Lanning, Jonathan Davis, David Moss and Jose Arredondo. The show is being stage managed by Will Hardin.

Tickets can be reserved at Eventbrite. com, or purchased at the door. The cost of admission is $7 to the general public, and free to all current DSC students, faculty and staff with DSC ID.