Paradise Players solve the mystery of who stole baby Jesus

Who could be so diabolical as to steal the baby Jesus from the Second Trinity Church’s nativity scene?

Over three evenings, Paradise Players presented "The Charitable Sisterhood Christmas Spectacular," written by Bo Wilson. It is a sequel to "The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church," which Paradise Players presented in April 2022. 

The play takes place in the basement fellowship hall of the Second Trinity Victory Church during Christmas of 1977.

A humorous play full of personality conflicts between an overly competitive Bea Littleton, played by Kathleen Hubka, and the uppity Lucille Orton, played by Donna Scheiter, all for the chance to win the annual Pennington Gap Christmas Spectacular. 

One of the highlights of the play was the actor’s interaction with the audiences Christmas sing-along.

A play of this caliber takes a community of volunteers and sponsors to put on. Special thanks go out to First Security Banks in Plains and Thompson Falls, Garden Gift and Floral, John and Karen Thorson, Bruce and Leslie Feeney, Erika Lawyer at Mountain West Clothing, The Bean Bug, and Ace Hardware of Thompson Falls. 

Actors and staff spent countless hours in preparation to present the play to the public and include,  Deborah Davis as Lorraine Jensen, Bonnie Firestone as Tina Yates, Kathleen Hubka as Bea Littleton, Donna Scheiter as Lucille Orton, Rashell Jones as Janet Murchison,  Director Kathleen Hubka, Technical Director Wendy Artz, Set crew Benjamin Winkler and David DeMars, Set and Properties Bonnie Firestone, Dramaturgist Wendy Artz and Director Emeritus Mary Lou Hermes.

Cast member Deborah Davis, has been in several Paradise Plays and performs as Lorraine, a mother of eight. Bonnie Jean Firestone playing Tina is making her second appearance in a play. Kathleen Hubka has been involved in theatre most of her life. Rashell Jones playing Janet is performing in her second season with Paradise Players. Donna Scheiter playing Lucille, is the Paradise Players newest member. Benjamin Winkler playing the WRSN DJ, is a familiar face and voice to the Paradise Players audiences.

Play attendee Janis Cates said, “It was fun.” Plains resident Ronda Leeper said, “it was interesting and a good reminder of the season.”

Paradise Players is the name given by the drama group led by the late Ruth Winkler. New actors that might be interested in joining the Players are welcome to apply.

    Actress Bonnie Firestone as the Three Wise persons. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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    An out of tune sing-a-long with the audience. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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    Actress Rashell Jones as the detective trying to find the stolen baby Jesus. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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    Actress Bonnie Firestone as the prudish Lucille Orton. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
 Tracy Scott